The government scrapped the mandatory three-year existence requirement for deep-tech startups seeking recognition under the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
Announcement Made on DSIR Foundation Day
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, announced the move on DSIR’s 42nd Foundation Day. The decision is expected to significantly ease access to government support for early-stage deep-tech innovators.
Boost for Young and Emerging Startups
Explaining the rationale, the minister said that while the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is intended for startups that have reached a certain level of technological maturity, the relaxation of eligibility norms will create new opportunities for young deep-tech companies.
He noted that several support mechanisms already exist for early-stage innovators across departments such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Technology Development Board (TDB). “The removal of the three-year existence requirement is a significant incentive that will help deep-tech startups scale faster, even before they become fully independent,” Singh said.
Earlier Conditions Limited Access to Funding
The minister added that although CSIR provides financial assistance to startups, including loans of varying sizes, it earlier tied this support to a mandatory requirement of demonstrating sustainability and viability through at least three years of operation. With the new policy change, startups can now access support at a much earlier stage.
Growing Participation of Women in R&D Ecosystem
Highlighting inclusive growth, Singh said that over 10,000 women beneficiaries are currently availing DSIR schemes. This includes more than 55 women-led self-help groups, reflecting the increasing participation of women in India’s science and innovation ecosystem.
India’s Transition from Self-Reliance to Global Leadership
Looking at the broader picture, the minister observed that India has moved beyond the phase of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and is now entering a stage where other countries are increasingly dependent on India’s capabilities. As reported by business-standard.com, citing examples from vaccines, medical devices and indigenous technologies, Singh said that India has successfully transitioned from import dependence to exports worth several crores, demonstrating the growing global acceptance of Indian science, research and technology.
