New Delhi, Jan 4 (NationPress) In a significant announcement on Sunday, the government has lifted the mandatory three-year operational requirement for deep-tech startups seeking recognition under the DSIR’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme. This strategic decision is poised to enhance India’s startup landscape by granting an early boost to novice entrepreneurs and innovators, according to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh during the 42nd Foundation Day celebration of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).

During his address, the minister noted that the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund has sparked a remarkable wave of enthusiasm nationwide, aimed at supporting startups that have reached a certain level of technological readiness.

“For early-stage innovators or startups, an array of initiatives already exists across various departments such as DST, CSIR, TDB, and others. The elimination of the three-year existence prerequisite serves as a substantial incentive for deep-tech startups to scale up quickly, even prior to achieving full independence,” he stated, emphasizing that this reform signifies the government’s confidence in Indian innovators and their ability to sustain their ventures.

Singh elaborated that CSIR had previously been providing financial support to startups, offering loans up to Rs 1 crore, contingent upon proving sustainability and viability through a minimum three-year existence. “That stipulation has now been removed,” he asserted, labeling this step as a major encouragement with a commendable aim of fostering and sustaining new deep-tech startups before they are entirely established, while still ensuring appropriate assessment standards related to technological maturity.

The minister pointed out that India has surpassed the aspiration of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and is entering a new era where other countries increasingly rely on Indian capabilities.

Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the government, highlighted the criticality of technology sovereignty amid current geopolitical dynamics. He referred to the Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund introduced by the Prime Minister, stressing the necessity to transition breakthroughs from labs to markets and bolster private sector R&D, especially at TRL-4 and above.

He also mentioned the development of the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRF) to enhance the rigor and objectivity in technology evaluation and discussed initiatives like Manthan and Uthaan, which promote demand-driven innovation and encourage greater involvement of Tier-II and Tier-III institutions.