Why in News?
• The Prime Minister inaugurated ESTIC 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi and launched the historic ₹1 lakh crore Research Development & Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund.
Core Objective
• To build a private sector–driven research & innovation economy with academia–industry–government linkages.
Scale & Participation
• 3-day conclave
• 3,000+ participants: academia, industry, research institutions, government
• Nobel Laureates, global scientists, innovators present
11 Thematic Priority Areas
• Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Bio-Manufacturing
• Blue Economy
• Digital Communications
• Electronics & Semiconductors
• Emerging Agri Technologies
• Energy
• Environment & Climate
• Health & Medical Technologies
• Quantum & Space Technologies
Key PM Assertions
• India is now pioneer → not just a consumer of technology
• India’s tech growth now exponential, not linear
• Focus → Ease of Doing Research
• India has built the world’s most successful DPI (UPI stack, DBT, Aadhaar ecosystem)
Data Points / Value Addition
• R&D expenditure doubled in last decade
• Patents registered increased 17-times
• India making major strides in green hydrogen, quantum computing, deep sea exploration, critical minerals
Significance
• Establishes long-term, mission-style innovation funding (like US DARPA models)
• Anchors India’s move towards high-tech, advanced manufacturing & sunrise tech leadership
• Supports Viksit Bharat 2047 technological foundation