Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Emerging Science and Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam on Monday.
During the event, he launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund worth ₹1 lakh crore to boost the country’s research and innovation ecosystem.
The aim of this fund is to strengthen India’s scientific and technological capabilities and to encourage innovation in the private sector.
Focus on Science, Innovation, and National Pride
At the start of his address, PM Modi congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team on their historic victory, saying that the entire nation is proud of their achievement.
He also highlighted India’s recent success in space technology, mentioning ISRO’s successful launch of the Indian Navy’s GSAT-7R (CMS-03) communication satellite, which reflects the country’s growing scientific strength.
PM Modi noted that scientific progress today is exponential, not linear, and emphasized that the government is building a modern innovation ecosystem.
He said the goal is to make “ease of doing research” a reality, creating an environment where innovation can thrive.
Empowering Research Across Sectors
Explaining the RDI Fund, PM Modi said it will support not only government institutions, but also private companies, startups, and academic organizations.
To make this possible, the government has reformed financial rules and procurement policies to provide stronger backing for research and development activities.
The ESTIC 2025 Conclave, being held from November 3 to 5, brings together Nobel Laureates, scientists, innovators, policy makers, industry leaders, and academic experts from India and abroad.
11 Key Focus Areas of ESTIC 2025
The conclave is centered on 11 important fields of emerging science and technology:
Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Artificial Intelligence
Bio-Manufacturing
Blue Economy
Digital Communication
Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing
Emerging Agri-Tech
Energy
Environment & Climate
Health & Medical Technology
Quantum & Space Technology
Concluding his speech, PM Modi said that India aims to make “Innovation its Growth Engine”, and the RDI Fund will play a historic role in achieving that goal.
