Bhubaneswar: The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology has signed agreements for five high-impact Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) projects, with the first fund disbursement released under the National RDI Initiative.
The agreements were formalised in the presence of Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who highlighted the strategic importance of quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and indigenous innovation ecosystems for India’s future growth.
The minister said quantum and AI sovereignty, along with strong domestic technology ecosystems, would play a defining role in shaping India’s next-generation economic and technological development.
He stressed that India’s progress in deep-tech sectors would depend on the country’s ability to adopt a trusted and integrated approach towards advanced research and innovation.
According to officials, the RDI Fund Scheme has been designed to accelerate private sector participation in research and development activities and strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and scientific institutions.
Dr Singh also underlined the importance of post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe infrastructure, stating that such technologies would be essential for ensuring long-term national security in the evolving digital landscape.
The initiative is expected to support emerging technology sectors and strengthen India’s capabilities in strategic domains including quantum computing, AI-driven systems and advanced cybersecurity infrastructure.
