Marking the 42nd Foundation Day of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh announced a landmark relaxation for deep-tech startups, exempting them from the mandatory three-year eligibility norm for recognition under DSIR’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme.
The reform is aimed at accelerating India’s startup ecosystem by providing early-stage innovators with faster access to institutional support, recognition, and incentives.
Major Boost for Deep-Tech Startups
Calling the move a “huge relief and support for early starters and beginners”, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the exemption of the three-year existence requirement will allow deep-tech startups to scale faster, even before they are fully established.
He explained that while the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund has generated nationwide enthusiasm, it is designed for startups that have already achieved a certain level of technological maturity. Early-stage innovators, he said, will now benefit from DSIR recognition much earlier, reflecting the government’s trust in India’s scientific talent and entrepreneurial intent.
From Atmanirbhar Bharat to Global Reliance on India
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that India has moved beyond the phase of Atmanirbhar Bharat and is entering an era where global economies increasingly rely on Indian products and technologies. Citing success stories in vaccines, medical devices, and indigenous technologies, he highlighted India’s transformation from import dependence to exports worth several crores, signalling growing global confidence in Indian innovation.
DSIR–CSIR Synergy and Industry Partnership
Describing the relationship between DSIR and CSIR as an “intergenerational symbiosis”, the Minister said both institutions complement and strengthen each other. DSIR’s facilitative role has enabled CSIR’s technology transfers, MoUs, and industry partnerships, helping convert interdisciplinary science into intergenerational collaboration.
He underlined DSIR’s four core pillars—Science, Industry, R&D, and Technology Transfer—and stressed that meaningful research cannot be sustained without early and active industry participation. Beyond recognition, DSIR now also offers fiscal incentives, including customs duty exemptions, making collaboration more attractive for industry, MSMEs, and startups.
Strong Women Participation in India’s Innovation Ecosystem
Highlighting inclusivity, the Minister revealed that over 10,000 women beneficiaries, including more than 55 women-led Self-Help Groups, are currently availing support under DSIR schemes. He described this as a healthy and irreversible shift in India’s innovation culture.
Four Key Initiatives Launched on Foundation Day
The celebrations witnessed the launch of four major initiatives:
-
DSIR Guidelines for Recognition of In-House R&D Centres of Deep-Tech Startups, incorporating the three-year eligibility relaxation
-
PRISM Network Platform – TOCIC Innovator Pulse, to strengthen innovation pipelines
-
Creative India 2025 under the PRISM scheme to promote innovation-led entrepreneurship
-
DSIR Disaster Management Plan, enhancing preparedness and resilience
MoUs and Technology Transfer Agreements Signed
Several important agreements were exchanged to strengthen technology-led development:
-
Technology Development and Utilisation Programme for Women (TDUPW) agreement to establish a Skill Satellite Centre at Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with NIT Raipur, aimed at livelihood generation for rural women
-
Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements under the CRTDH Programme for CSIR-CEERI, Pilani, enabling licensing of indigenous technologies to industry and strengthening MSME-focused R&D infrastructure
Leadership Perspectives on Technology Sovereignty
Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, stressed the importance of technology sovereignty in the current geopolitical context. He highlighted the need to scale innovations from lab to market, strengthen private-sector R&D, and build rigour through tools like the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRF).
N Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR, emphasised the department’s unique role as a bridge between government, academia, and industry, noting DSIR’s expanding visibility and impact in national development through science and innovation.
Conclusion
The 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR marked a decisive shift in India’s innovation policy, with the relaxation of the three-year eligibility norm emerging as a transformational reform for deep-tech startups. By combining early-stage support, strong industry linkage, women-led innovation, and global technology ambition, DSIR is positioning India firmly on the path toward a future-ready, technology-sovereign nation. As Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded, the celebration was not merely about the past, but about building India’s innovation-driven future up to 2047 and beyond.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
