The Two Things You Need Before Applying for RDIF Funding — And One of Them Takes Months

Kamal Nandan
Apr 14
2 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

India just unlocked ₹1 lakh crore for R&D. Here's what your company needs before it can access any of it.

Everyone's Talking About RDIF. Nobody's Talking About Eligibility.

Since the government launched the Research Development and Innovation Fund in late 2025, the headline number has done most of the talking. ₹1 lakh crore. Six years. Deep tech, AI, biotech, quantum, clean energy — if your company is working in any of these spaces, this fund was essentially designed for you.

But there's a step most companies are skipping entirely.

You can't walk up to RDIF and ask for money. It doesn't work that way.

How RDIF Money Actually Reaches Companies

RDIF channels its funds through intermediaries — AIFs, NBFCs, DFIs — officially called Second Level Fund Managers. These SLFMs will only invest in companies that meet a specific eligibility definition: Eligible Technology Entities working on RDI-intensive technology at TRL 4 and above.

Which brings us to the two things you actually need.

Thing One: Genuine R&D Activity

MANDATORY: Get TRL certification from Netra. For availing RDI funds, the project (technology / product) for which you need fund should be TRL 4 and above. This certification is provided by NRDC's Netra. It may take about 10 - 25 days. This is mandatory.

Thing Two: DSIR Recognition (Start This Now)

NON-MANDATORY DSIR recognition is the formal government certification of your in-house R&D unit, issued by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research. Many RDIF-aligned funding agencies treat it as a baseline requirement.

Getting recognised isn't difficult. But it takes months — infrastructure, documentation, structured manpower, a proper application. Companies that begin today will be fundable when SLFMs start deploying capital. Companies that wait will be watching from the sidelines. While this is not mandatory, it will definitely boost your claim.