ANRF Executive Council approves Special Purpose Fund and guidelines for ₹1 lakh crore RDI scheme
On 11 October 2025 the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) approved a Special Purpose Fund and the implementation guidelines for the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
Summary
On 11 October 2025 the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) approved the establishment of a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme, along with its implementation guidelines and governance framework, and adopted Special Financial Rules approved by the Ministry of Finance. The Union Cabinet had approved the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund on 1 July 2025 to spur private-sector-driven R&D in sunrise domains, with the Department of Science & Technology (DST) as the nodal ministry. The scheme has two tiers: the SPF within ANRF is the custodian of the corpus and will not invest directly in companies; it channels capital to second-level fund managers such as Alternative Investment Funds, Development Finance Institutions and NBFCs. The fund is expected to launch in the coming months.
Key facts
- Decision
- SPF + implementation guidelines approved, 11 Oct 2025
- Fund size
- ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund
- Cabinet approval
- 1 July 2025
- Nodal department
- Department of Science & Technology
- Structure
- Two-tier: SPF in ANRF → second-level fund managers (AIFs, DFIs, NBFCs)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Consider the following statements about the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme: 1. The Union Cabinet approved the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund on 1 July 2025. 2. The Special Purpose Fund within ANRF will invest directly in startups and industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: the Cabinet approved the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund on 1 July 2025; the Special Purpose Fund will not invest directly in industries and startups but will channel capital to second-level fund managers such as AIFs, DFIs and NBFCs.
Which department is the nodal ministry for the ₹1 lakh crore RDI scheme?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Department of Science & Technology
PIB: the Department of Science & Technology (DST) is the nodal ministry of the RDI scheme.