Technology Development Board launches its first open call under the RDI Fund
Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched the Technology Development Board's first open call under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund of ANRF on 4 February 2026.
Summary
Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched the Technology Development Board's (TDB) first open call under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on 4 February 2026. The call offers up to 50% project funding for technologies at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above, through collateral-free loans at about 2â4% interest with tenures of up to 15 years and an eight-week approval timeline. It focuses on AI, energy and deep-tech. The minister said nearly 191 proposals had been received, mostly from the private sector. TDB and BIRAC were approved in January 2026 as the first second-level fund managers of the RDI Fund.
Key facts
- Launched
- 4 February 2026
- Call
- TDB's first open call under ANRF's RDI Fund
- Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost for TRL-4+ technologies
- Terms
- Collateral-free loans, ~2â4% interest, up to 15 years; 8-week approval
- Response
- ~191 proposals, mostly private sector
- Fund managers
- TDB and BIRAC (approved January 2026)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which body launched its first open call under the RDI Fund on 4 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D â Technology Development Board
The Technology Development Board (TDB) launched its first open call under ANRF's RDI Fund.
TDB's first RDI call offers up to what share of project funding for TRL-4+ technologies?
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Correct answer: C â 50%
The call offers up to 50% project funding for technologies at TRL-4 and above.
Consider the following about the RDI Fund: 1. TDB and BIRAC were approved as its first second-level fund managers. 2. TDB's first call offers collateral-free loans at about 2â4% interest with tenures of up to 15 years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. TDB and BIRAC were approved as the first second-level fund managers in January 2026, and the first TDB call offers collateral-free loans at 2â4% for up to 15 years.