India, Aug. 1 -- The Indian government has launched the "Research, Development and Innovation (RDI)" scheme with a total outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore over six years. This scheme aims to fund private sector projects in deep tech areas, which include artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, renewable energy, and biotechnology. The scheme's launch comes amid a global push by countries to secure a lead in emerging technologies, recognising that a strong domestic R&D base is crucial for economic and strategic independence. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, provided details about the RDI scheme in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The RDI scheme, funded by the Consolidated Fund of India, will allocate Rs 20,...