Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025) in New Delhi on November 3, 2025. During the event, he also launched the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, marking a historic step towards strengthening India’s scientific and technological ecosystem. The initiative aims to accelerate homegrown innovation, encourage collaboration between academia and industry, and position India as a global leader in advanced research and development.
Addressing the inaugural session, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that science and innovation are the twin engines of India’s progress in the 21st century. He highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering a robust research environment that supports startups, industries, and educational institutions alike. The Prime Minister noted that the RDI Fund will provide long-term financial support to breakthrough research, enabling India’s transition from a technology adopter to a technology creator. He added that the government’s focus is on creating solutions that not only strengthen the economy but also address pressing societal and environmental challenges.
The Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2025 brought together scientists, researchers, innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the country. The conclave served as a platform for discussing India’s research priorities, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, and green energy, and strategies to promote collaboration between public and private sectors. Several memoranda of understanding were also signed to boost joint research programs and promote the commercialization of innovative ideas developed by Indian startups and research institutions.
The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund, announced during the conclave, is one of the largest funding initiatives for scientific research in India’s history. The fund will support projects that align with national missions, including sustainable development, digital transformation, and self-reliance in key technological domains. It will also facilitate innovation in frontier areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, defense technologies, and advanced healthcare solutions. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of promoting “Atmanirbhar Bharat” through innovation-driven growth.
Experts attending the event hailed the launch of the RDI Fund as a transformative step that could redefine India’s research and development landscape. Industry leaders expressed optimism that increased funding and structured collaboration would attract global partnerships, foster high-quality research, and create new employment opportunities in the technology sector. The conclave also underscored the importance of nurturing young talent and building a future-ready workforce equipped with advanced scientific and technical skills.
In conclusion, the inauguration of ESTIC 2025 and the launch of the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund represent a milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global innovation powerhouse. The initiatives reaffirm the government’s focus on science, technology, and innovation as pillars of sustainable growth and national progress. As India prepares to lead in emerging technologies and research excellence, ESTIC 2025 stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to shaping a future driven by knowledge, creativity, and self-reliance.
