India’s Deep-Tech Ambitions Highlighted at TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025
At TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of India’s Department of Science & Technology, emphasized the importance of the newly launched Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund to boost research, innovation, and private sector participation in deep-tech sectors. Leaders called for greater collaboration between academia, startups, and industry to achieve technological sovereignty and turn scientific discoveries into global products.
During TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, underlined India’s pivotal moment in its deep-tech evolution, citing the recent launch of the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund as a major government initiative to empower industries and startups in sectors like quantum, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. The fund, featuring liberalized norms and a two-tier management model, is designed to catalyze private sector R&D, encourage domestic IP creation, and reduce reliance on foreign technology—key steps toward technological sovereignty. Dr. Karandikar stressed that the government’s role is to support risk-taking and long-term R&D investments rather than exert control. In a fireside chat with Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus of TiE Delhi-NCR, both leaders highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between research institutions, entrepreneurs, and the private sector to translate cutting-edge science into market-ready innovations. Dr. Srivastava emphasized that India’s tech sovereignty ambitions hinge on uniting scientific excellence with entrepreneurial execution. The event, attended by policymakers, investors, and global thought leaders, also featured Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, who reiterated the government’s commitment to building a robust deep-tech ecosystem driven by innovation and youth engagement. Collectively, these discussions showcased India’s strategic focus on nurturing homegrown innovation and positioning itself as a global leader in technology-driven growth.
