RDI Scheme Widened to Cover Advanced Chemicals Technologies

The Centre has widened the technology areas that can draw money from the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. Advanced Chemicals, Petrochemicals and Material Technologies have been added as a fresh area eligible for funding, and the addition applies from 8 October 2026.

Who cleared it and who asked for it

The approval was given by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It acted on a proposal put up by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), which sits under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. DCPC had sought that the chemicals and petrochemicals sector be treated as a priority area inside the scheme. Officials expect the step to deepen research work in the sector and to let Indian laboratories and companies build home-grown technologies meant for demanding industrial uses.

The scheme behind the decision

The RDI Scheme was rolled out in November 2025 and carries a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore. Its design is to pull private capital towards research rather than to spend the money directly: it offers long-tenure loans and refinance on soft terms for projects capable of reshaping an industry. The scheme also wants faster uptake of advanced technology, a stronger showing by Indian industry against foreign competitors, and self-reliance in technology areas treated as critical or newly emerging. At its launch the Prime Minister had spoken of the country building a lively research base quickly, with attention on making research easier to carry out so that a modern innovation ecosystem could take root.

Reaction from the ministry

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda welcomed the sector being brought inside the scheme and called it a landmark for the chemicals and petrochemicals industry. He said the money would give research and innovation the push it had long needed, and would help develop better, cheaper and more efficient ways of making chemicals, petrochemical goods, polymers and products derived from them inside India.

Why an aspirant should note it

The chemicals and petrochemicals industry depends heavily on technology bought from abroad and on costly imported materials. Bringing the sector under a financing window of this size is aimed at cutting that dependence, lifting domestic manufacturing and letting industrial growth be led by technology developed at home.