In a move that could turbocharge India's deep tech ecosystem, the government has scrapped the mandatory three-year existence requirement for startups seeking recognition under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) program. What this really means is that young, innovative companies working on cutting-edge technologies can now access crucial funding and support much earlier in their journey.
Removing Roadblocks for Deep Tech Pioneers
The bigger picture here is that India is doubling down on its commitment to fostering a vibrant, globally competitive startup landscape. By easing access to DSIR's Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme, the government is signaling its intent to back early-stage deep tech innovators - the kind of companies that often struggle to secure institutional support in their formative years.
As TechCrunch reports, Union Minister Jitendra Singh noted that the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is geared towards startups with a certain level of technological maturity. But the latest reform aims to bridge the gap for young, pioneering ventures that are still proving their concepts.
Accelerating the Innovation Pipeline
Indeed, the removal of the three-year rule is a major boost for India's deep tech ecosystem. Business Standard reports that the minister described the move as strengthening the "intergenerational symbiosis" between DSIR and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - aligning science, industry, R&D, and technology transfer.
The implications are clear: by empowering early-stage deep tech startups, India is laying the groundwork to cement its status as a global innovation powerhouse. As The Tribune reports, the government is already seeing strong participation from women entrepreneurs, with over 10,000 women beneficiaries currently availing DSIR schemes.
With this latest reform, the stage is set for India's deep tech pioneers to truly take flight. As they push the boundaries of innovation, the country's entire startup ecosystem stands to reap the rewards.