RDIF • Research Development & Innovation Fund
RDIF Scheme
Eligibility, Benefits, Funding & How to Apply
India’s Research Development and Innovation Fund - long-term, concessional capital for startups and MSMEs building strategic and deep-tech innovations.
Sapno Se Safalta Tak
₹0L Cr
Total Fund Size
0%
Max Project Cost Cover
3-4%
Concessional Interest
0 Yrs
Max Repayment Tenure
What It Is
What Is The RDIF?
The RDIF (Research Development and Innovation Fund) is a flagship Department of Science and Technology (DST) initiative to strengthen India’s research ecosystem. It is a central pillar of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aimed at increasing private-sector investment in R&D.
Managed by Focused Research Organisations such as the Technology Development Board (TDB), the fund supports technology-intensive projects that traditional banks may consider too risky - with lower interest rates and longer tenures than a typical unsecured business loan. The overall outlay is ₹1 lakh crore over six years.
Why Founders Apply
- 01
Up to 50% of assessed project cost as funding support
- 02
Concessional interest typically 3%-4% per annum
- 03
Repayment horizon of 12-15 years
- 04
Implemented through TDB and DST
What You Unlock
Benefits Of The RDIF Scheme
Patient Capital, Lower Interest Burden And Government Validation For Deep-Tech And Strategic R&D.
01
Patient Capital
Repayment periods up to 15 years allow startups to focus on R&D without immediate cash-flow pressure.
02
Low Interest Burden
Interest rates are significantly lower than private NBFC or typical unsecured business loans.
03
Validation Seal
Government backing acts as a quality signal that can improve attractiveness for further venture funding.
04
Global Market Entry
Facilitation pathways aligned with export and international deployment of Indian tech.
05
Technical Support
Access to government labs and the wider incubation-centre network in India.
Who Qualifies
RDIF Eligibility Criteria
Capital Is Directed Toward Legally Sound Entities With High Technical Potential And Strategic Focus.
Entity & Location
Entity Status
Must be a registered Private Limited Company, LLP or Partnership.
HQ In India
Registered global headquarters and principal place of business must be in India.
Startup / MSME
Must hold a valid Startup India registration certificate or be a registered MSME.
Tech & Ownership
Technology Readiness
Proposed technology must generally be at TRL 4 or higher (prototype validation).
Indian Control
Entity must be controlled by resident Indian citizens as per FDI policies.
Strategic Focus
Projects must align with national priorities such as AI, deep tech or climate energy.
Sectors
Strategic Focus Areas For Funding
Sectors Critical For National Growth And Economic Resilience - Prime Candidates For RDIF Support.
Deep Tech & Climate
Deep Technology
Robotics, semiconductor-related designs and quantum computing.
Energy & Climate
Solar innovations, green hydrogen and battery storage.
Artificial Intelligence
AI for healthcare, agriculture and smart infrastructure.
AI, Bio & Strategic
Biotechnology
Biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and genomics.
Digital Economy
Fintech, agri-tech platforms and SaaS for digital public infrastructure.
Strategic Tech
Technologies for national security and import substitution.
How Money Flows
Funding Structure Under RDIF
Three Flexible Modes Of Support To Suit Different Business Stages.
Debt-Led
Long-Term R&D Loan
Soft loan covering up to 50% of project cost, tenure 12-15 years, interest as low as about 3%.
Loan + Equity
For high-growth ventures, TDB can mix debt and equity - equity typically capped at 25% shareholding.
Hybrid
Venture Debt + Deferred Equity
Debt that can convert to equity later, helping founders keep higher ownership in early growth stages.
How To Apply
How To Apply: Step-By-Step
A Rigorous Technical And Financial Evaluation From Self-Audit To Milestone-Based Sanction.
- STEP 01
PROCESS
Self-Audit
Verify your entity meets RDIF eligibility for TRL level and sector focus.
- STEP 02
PROCESS
Technical Drafting
Prepare your Detailed Project Report (DPR) and TRL assessment.
- STEP 03
PROCESS
Online Submission
Submit your proposal via the official TDB or DST innovation portal.
- STEP 04
PROCESS
Technical Screening
A committee of scientists and industry experts reviews technological novelty.
- STEP 05
PROCESS
Due Diligence
Financial and legal audits of the startup are conducted.
- STEP 06
PROCESS
Sanction
Funding is approved and tranches are released based on R&D milestones.
Paperwork
Documents Required For RDIF
Important: Prepare a comprehensive professional file for evaluation. Vikas Bharat sends a file-specific RDIF checklist after eligibility.
Incorporation proof - Certificate of Incorporation, MoA and AoA
DPIIT / Startup India recognition certificate (or MSME registration, as applicable)
Detailed Project Report (DPR) covering R&D scope, TRL level and startup health
Audited financials - balance sheets and P&L for the last 3 years (as applicable)
TRL assessment - independent or self-certified proof of TRL 4 or above
Business plan with financial projections
IP documentation - patents filed or trademarks obtained (if any)
Promoter KYC - Aadhaar, PAN and DIN of primary directors
- What is the RDIF Scheme?
- It is a ₹1 Lakh Crore government fund (Research Development and Innovation Fund) aimed at providing long-term, low-interest funding for tech-led innovation in India.
- Is the RDIF a grant or a loan?
- It primarily offers long-term soft loans, though it can include equity participation. It is not a direct grant like NIDHI PRAYAS.
- What is the RDIF eligibility for startups?
- DPIIT-recognised Indian companies with technology generally at TRL 4 or above, HQ in India, and alignment with strategic focus sectors are eligible, subject to scheme guidelines.
- What are the key documents required for RDIF?
- Detailed Project Report (DPR), TRL assessment, audited financials, and Startup India / DPIIT certificate (or MSME registration where applicable).
- Can I apply for the RDIF if I already have a Mudra loan?
- Yes, but RDIF is intended for high-value research projects that typically exceed the limits of the Mudra loan scheme.
- How long is the repayment tenure?
- Repayment can be spread over 12 to 15 years, providing significant financial flexibility for R&D-heavy ventures.
RDIF Questions, Answered
Fund Size, Loan Vs Grant, Eligibility, Documents, MUDRA Overlap And Repayment Tenure.
What is the RDIF Scheme?
It is a ₹1 Lakh Crore government fund (Research Development and Innovation Fund) aimed at providing long-term, low-interest funding for tech-led innovation in India.
Is the RDIF a grant or a loan?
What is the RDIF eligibility for startups?
What are the key documents required for RDIF?
Can I apply for the RDIF if I already have a Mudra loan?
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