The government has announced a significant change in the criteria for deep-tech startups to qualify for recognition under the DSIR’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme. This move is aimed at supporting early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of this change at the 42nd Foundation Day of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).
The relaxation of the mandatory three-year existence condition is expected to provide a boost to early starters and promising innovators. This adjustment is intended to help deep-tech startups scale faster and receive support even in their early stages. The government’s decision reflects its confidence in the sustainability and potential of India’s innovators.
Dr. Singh emphasized that while the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund has generated enthusiasm, it primarily supports startups with a certain level of technological maturity. The removal of the three-year existence requirement is a significant incentive for startups to accelerate their growth. This change aims to sustain new deep-tech startups before they are fully established, maintaining evaluation standards linked to technological advancement.
Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the government, stressed the importance of technology sovereignty in the current global context. He highlighted the need to transition breakthroughs from the laboratory to the market and enhance private-sector R&D. Additionally, he mentioned initiatives like the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRF) and platforms such as Manthan and Uthaan, which promote demand-driven innovation and wider participation of institutions.
