RDIF announces first cohort of 19 Second Level Fund Managers; Rs 7,131 crore committed
On 12 October 2026, the Research, Development and Innovation Fund named its first 19 SLFMs (14 AIFs + 5 FROs) with Rs 7,131 crore RDIF commitment toward the Rs 1 lakh crore Fund.
Summary
The Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) announced its first cohort of 19 Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) on 8 October 2026 approved 14 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and 5 Focused Research Organisations (FROs), with total RDIF commitment of Rs 7,131 crore. The Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2025. RDIF is managed by an Independent Business Unit within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under DST. SLFMs will channel capital to Eligible Technology Enterprises at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above and are expected to mobilise matching private capital.
Key facts
- Fund
- RDIF / RDI Scheme — Rs 1 lakh crore
- First cohort
- 19 SLFMs (14 AIFs + 5 FROs)
- RDIF commitment
- Rs 7,131 crore
- Approved by
- EGoS (8 October 2026)
- Managed by
- IBU in ANRF under DST
- Target TRL
- TRL 4 and above
Practice MCQs 4 questions
In October 2026, how many Second Level Fund Managers were in RDIF's first cohort?
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Correct answer: A — 19
What was the total RDIF commitment approved with the first cohort of SLFMs?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 7,131 crore
The Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in which month?
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Correct answer: C — November 2025
RDIF is managed by an Independent Business Unit housed within which body under DST?
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Correct answer: D — Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)