PM Modi Unveils ESTIC 2025, Announces ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme Fund

At the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, which was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. The historic project intends to accelerate India's transition into a global center of science and technology by creating an ecosystem of research and innovation driven by the private sector. There was a press release that notified about the core discussion points.

The Prime Minister welcomed scientists, inventors, scholars, and international specialists, saying the conclave marks a new phase in India's scientific history and brings stakeholders together to influence the nation's technological future.

PM Modi began his speech by congratulating the Indian women's cricket team on their historic first-ever victory in the ICC Women's World Cup, describing it as a moment of pride that would serve as an inspiration to young Indians nationwide. Additionally, he praised Indian scientists for the successful launch of GSAT-7R (CMS-03), ISRO's heaviest communication satellite, calling it evidence of India's rising scientific prowess.

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The Prime Minister stated that the goal of ESTIC 2025 was to promote international cooperation in cutting-edge science and technology.

“In the 21st century, the pace of change is exponential. To navigate this transformation, experts from around the world must come together to provide direction and vision,” he said.

PM Modi announced the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme, which would boost R&D cooperation between government, industry, and academia and support high-risk, high-impact projects.

“For the first time, capital is being made available for high-risk and high-impact projects. India is working to build a modern innovation ecosystem and improve the ease of doing research,” he said.

Stating that several changes have been made to financial regulations, procurement guidelines, and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the rapid transition of prototypes from the lab to the market. PM Modi emphasized that India's transformation from a technology consumer to an innovator shows how science can change a society. He credited India's success to its extensive digital connectivity in rural areas and its Digital Public Infrastructure, citing the country's domestic development of the COVID-19 vaccine and the largest vaccination campaign in history.

PM Modi announced that Atal Tinkering Labs would be expanded from 10,000 existing labs to 25,000 new ones in order to foster young talent and encourage students' curiosity and experimentation. In order to encourage research among young scientists, he also announced that 10,000 new Prime Minister's Research Fellowships would be given out over the course of the following five years. He added that in order to increase access to technical education, the National Education Policy now permits STEM courses to be taken in local languages, and that there are now seven new IITs and sixteen IIITs.

The Prime Minister invoked the spirit of "Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan" as he concluded his speech, expressing the hope that the Conclave would develop a shared roadmap to advance India's innovation journey.

Over 3,000 people, including Nobel Laureates, scientists, researchers, policymakers, and business executives, will attend the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, which takes place from November 3–5. Eleven theme areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, green energy, bio-manufacturing, advanced materials, and space technologies, will be the focus of the discussions. The dignitaries in attendance included Nobel Laureate Sir Andre Geim, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.

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