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India’s High-Risk R&D Revolution: Building a Future of Bold Innovation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a groundbreaking shift in India’s research and development policy—focusing on high-risk, high-impact projects that aim to position India as a global science and technology powerhouse.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi | Photo: PTI | Business Standard
Prime Minister Narendra Modi | Photo: PTI | Business Standard

Launching a ₹1 Lakh Crore Innovation Fund

At the inaugural Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC), Modiji unveiled the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund, designed to catalyse private-sector participation in ambitious R&D ventures. He emphasised that this fund seeks not only economic progress but also societal advancement through innovation.


Reforms for an Innovation-Driven Ecosystem

The Prime Minister highlighted a new era of “Ease of Doing Research,” supported by reforms in financial regulations, procurement policies, and supply-chain frameworks. These initiatives are expected to accelerate India’s transition from laboratory research to market-ready innovation.


A Decade of Progress and Promise

Over the past ten years, India’s R&D spending has doubled, and registered patents have grown seventeen-fold. India now ranks as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, reflecting a vibrant innovation climate nurtured by consistent policy support and grassroots entrepreneurship.


Empowering Women in STEM

Modiji praised the rising role of Indian women in science and technology, noting that patents filed by women have surged from under 100 annually a decade ago to over 5,000 today. With 43% of STEM students in India being women, the country now surpasses the global average in gender representation in scientific education.


Towards a Self-Reliant Technological Future

The Prime Minister underlined that India is no longer merely a consumer of technology but a pioneer of transformation through it. He envisioned a future where inclusive innovation and large-scale application of science lay the foundation for enduring national progress.


The MGMM Outlook

India’s new vision for high-risk, high-impact R&D marks a bold and historic leap toward self-reliant innovation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund reflects not just a financial investment, but a deep national commitment to shaping a knowledge-driven economy. By prioritising “Ease of Doing Research” and fostering a stronger bridge between laboratories and industries, India is shifting from incremental growth to transformative progress. This policy approach—anchored in courage, experimentation, and inclusivity—sets the stage for India to redefine the global science landscape.


The steady rise of women in STEM, the surge in patents, and the vibrant startup ecosystem together embody a changing India that believes in creating rather than consuming technology. As private enterprises, research institutions, and the youth unite under this innovation-centric framework, the nation stands ready to blend social progress with scientific excellence. The momentum of this movement will determine whether India’s R&D revolution becomes the cornerstone of a new era where technology fuels both purpose and prosperity.



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