TDB Launches First RDI Call to Fund High-Risk Technologies

10 Feb 2026 CW Team

The financing framework offers concessional interest rates of two to four per cent and tenures of up to 15 years, including moratorium provisions, and incorporates equity-linked options to share risk. The TDB said support will be provided through loans, equity or hybrid instruments rather than grants, and that the maximum funding support will be up to 50 per cent of total project cost with matching contributions by companies or private investors. Collateral-free financing is available with no requirement for personal or corporate guarantees.

The first call targets projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) four and above and will be delivered via Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). Proposal evaluation will be based on scientific, technological, financial and commercial merit with defined timelines for assessment and disbursement and an approval aim within an eight-week timeframe. The initiative is designed to enable sustainable commercial deployment of technologies while maintaining financial discipline and accountability.

Officials noted a robust early response, with 191 proposals received and a significant majority from the private sector, which was taken to reflect growing confidence in government support for innovation-led growth. The RDI Fund received Cabinet approval in July 2025 and was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2025 as part of a long-term vision to build indigenous capabilities. Senior stakeholders at the launch included the Secretary of the Technology Development Board and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) launched the first open call under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), aiming to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by supporting commercialisation of indigenous technologies. The call was unveiled by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and is intended to provide structured, long-term financing to enable private enterprises to scale technologies previously confined to the public domain. The RDI Fund has a total corpus of Rs one trillion (Rs 1 tn). The financing framework offers concessional interest rates of two to four per cent and tenures of up to 15 years, including moratorium provisions, and incorporates equity-linked options to share risk. The TDB said support will be provided through loans, equity or hybrid instruments rather than grants, and that the maximum funding support will be up to 50 per cent of total project cost with matching contributions by companies or private investors. Collateral-free financing is available with no requirement for personal or corporate guarantees. The first call targets projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) four and above and will be delivered via Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). Proposal evaluation will be based on scientific, technological, financial and commercial merit with defined timelines for assessment and disbursement and an approval aim within an eight-week timeframe. The initiative is designed to enable sustainable commercial deployment of technologies while maintaining financial discipline and accountability. Officials noted a robust early response, with 191 proposals received and a significant majority from the private sector, which was taken to reflect growing confidence in government support for innovation-led growth. The RDI Fund received Cabinet approval in July 2025 and was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2025 as part of a long-term vision to build indigenous capabilities. Senior stakeholders at the launch included the Secretary of the Technology Development Board and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..