{"id":16316,"date":"2026-01-13T17:34:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T12:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=16316"},"modified":"2026-01-13T17:34:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T12:04:36","slug":"celebrating-42nd-foundation-day-of-dsir-government-announces-relaxation-for-deep-tech-startups-for-dsir-recognition-strengthens-indias-rd-and-innovation-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=16316","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR, Government Announces Relaxation for Deep-Tech Startups for DSIR recognition, Strengthens India\u2019s R&D and Innovation Ecosystem"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Celebrating 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR, Government Announces Relaxation for Deep-Tech Startups for DSIR recognition, Strengthens India\u2019s R&D and Innovation Ecosystem<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


\nMajor announcement of exemption of DSIR’s 3-year eligibility norm for recognition of startups in deep-tech sector; a huge relief and support for early starters or beginners of StartUps: Dr. Jitendra Singh<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

On the occasion, four new initiatives launched and MoU or agreements signed among government and non-government partners<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, more than 10,000 women beneficiaries and over 55 women led Self Help Groups are among those availing support from DSIR schemes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

India moving beyond Atmanirbhar Bharat to a phase where global economies increasingly rely on Indian products technology: Dr. Jitendra Singh<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Posted On: 04 JAN 2026 6:18PM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Marking the 42nd Foundation Day of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) under the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST), Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today announced a major relaxation of the mandatory three-year existence condition for deep-tech startups to avail recognition under DSIRs Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The move, aimed at accelerating India\u2019s StartUp ecosystem, is expected to provide early momentum to early starters or beginners of StartUp projects as well as promising innovators and entrepreneurs.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that while the \u20b91 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund has generated unprecedented enthusiasm across the country, it is designed to support startups that have graduated to a certain level of technological maturity. \u201cFor early-stage innovators or Startups, a wide basket of schemes already exists across departments such as DST, CSIR, TDB and others. The removal of the three-year existence requirement is a significant incentive to help deep-tech startups scale faster, even before they are fully on their own,\u201d he said, adding that the reform reflects the Government\u2019s trust in India\u2019s innovators and its confidence in their sustainability and intent.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Minister explained that the CSIR has been extending financial assistance to startups earlier as well, including loans of varying amounts, in some cases up to \u20b91 crore, but these were subject to a mandatory condition of demonstrating sustainability and viability through a minimum three-year existence. \u201cThat requirement has now been done away with,\u201d the Minister said, describing the move as a major incentive with a noble intent to accelerate and sustain new deep-tech startups even before they are fully established on their own, while continuing to maintain appropriate evaluation standards linked to technological maturity.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Minister later congratulated the entire DSIR family on the occasion, describing the relationship between DSIR and CSIR as an \u201cintergenerational symbiosis\u201d, where both institutions complement and strengthen each other. Drawing an analogy with a joint family, he said that while DSIR emerged from CSIR, the latter\u2019s present-day technology transfers, MoUs and industry partnerships are equally enabled by DSIR\u2019s facilitative role. He highlighted that this close coordination has transformed interdisciplinary science into intergenerational collaboration, critical for India\u2019s innovation ecosystem.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that India has moved beyond the goal of \u201cAtmanirbhar Bharat\u201d and is now entering a phase where other nations are becoming increasingly dependent on Indian capabilities. Citing examples from vaccines, medical devices, and indigenous technologies, he said India has transitioned from import dependence to exports worth several crores, reflecting the growing global acceptance of Indian science and technology. \u201cWe are not only self-reliant; we are making others rely on us,\u201d he remarked.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Emphasising DSIR\u2019s four pillars- Science, Industry, R&D and Technology Transfer, the Minister said that meaningful research cannot be sustained without industry as an early and essential partner. He noted that DSIR\u2019s role has expanded beyond certification to include fiscal incentives such as customs duty exemptions, making it more attractive for industry, MSMEs and startups to collaborate with government-supported R&D.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Minister also highlighted the strong participation of women, revealing that over 10,000 women beneficiaries are currently availing DSIR schemes, including more than 55 women-led Self-Help Groups, calling it a healthy and irreversible shift in India\u2019s innovation culture.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Foundation Day celebrations were marked by the launch of four significant initiatives by the Minister:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • The DSIR Guidelines for Recognition of In-House R&D Centres of Deep-Tech Startups, incorporating the relaxation of the three-year existence condition.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • PRISM Network Platform \u2013 TOCIC Innovator Pulse, aimed at strengthening innovation pipelines.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Creative India 2025 under the PRISM scheme to promote innovation-led entrepreneurship.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • DSIR Disaster Management Plan, reinforcing preparedness and resilience.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Several important MoUs and agreements were exchanged in the presence of the Minister and senior dignitaries:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Agreement under the Technology Development and Utilisation Programme for Women (TDUPW) for establishing a Skill Satellite Centre at Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with NIT Raipur, aimed at technology-led skill development and livelihood generation for rural women.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Transfer of Technology (ToT) Agreements for the technologies developed under the Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDH) Programme supported to CSIR-CEERI, Pilani, for licensing to industry partners, highlights strengthening MSME-focused R&D infrastructure across the country.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The event witnessed the presence of senior leadership from across the science and innovation ecosystem, including Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR; Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India; S.C.L. Das, Secretary, MSME; Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES; Mahendra Gupta, Joint Secretary, DSIR, and Dr, Vipin Shukla, Scientist G and Organising Chairman of this Foundation Day, among others.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    In her address, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR, highlighted the department\u2019s critical role in recognising in-house R&D units, SIROs and publicly funded research institutions across the country. She noted that DSIR\u2019s unique structure, comprising a department, an autonomous organisation like CSIR, and two PSUs, CEL and NRDC, has enabled it to serve as a vital bridge between government, academia, and industry. She expressed satisfaction over DSIR\u2019s growing visibility and the grand scale of this year\u2019s Foundation Day celebrations, reaffirming the department\u2019s commitment to national development through science and innovation.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor, underscored the importance of technology sovereignty in the current geopolitical context. Referring to the \u20b91 lakh crore RDI Fund announced by the Prime Minister, he emphasised the need to scale breakthroughs from lab to market and strengthen private-sector R&D, particularly at TRL-4 and above. He also highlighted the development of the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRF) to bring greater rigour and objectivity in assessing technologies, and spoke about platforms such as Manthan and Uthaan, which are enabling demand-driven innovation and greater participation of Tier-II and Tier-III institutions.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Concluding the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that DSIR\u2019s work aligns closely with national missions in energy transition, critical and emerging technologies, manufacturing, semiconductors, robotics, AI and space. He said the relaxation of the three-year existence criterion is driven by a \u201cnoble intent to accelerate and sustain new startups\u201d, and expressed confidence that India\u2019s innovators will use this opportunity responsibly. \u201cThis Foundation Day is not just a celebration of the past, but a decisive step towards building a future-ready, technology-sovereign India,\u201d the Minister said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Celebrating 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR, Government Announces Relaxation for Deep-Tech Startups for DSIR recognition, Strengthens India\u2019s R&D and Innovation Ecosystem Major announcement of exemption of DSIR’s 3-year eligibility norm for recognition of startups in deep-tech sector; a huge relief and support for early starters or beginners of StartUps: Dr. Jitendra Singh On the occasion, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16316"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16319,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16316\/revisions\/16319"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}