On January 4, 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T), announced the removal of the mandatory 3-year existence condition for deep-tech startups to avail financial assistance of maximum Rs 1 crore under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program (IRDPP)
- The announcement was made during the 42nd Foundation Day celebrations of DSIR, which works under MoS&T.
Exam Hints:
- What? Announcement of Removal of 3-year existence condition for Deep-Tech Startups
- Announced by: Union MoS (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS&T
- Occasion: 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR
- Maximum Financial Assistance: Rs 1 crore
- Launch of 4 new Initiatives:
- DSIR guidelines for recognition of In-House R&D Centres of Deep-tech startups;
- PRISM Network Platform-TOCIC Innovator Pulse;
- Creative India 2025 under PRISM scheme;
- DSIR Disaster Management Plan
- MoUs Signed:
- TDUPW with NIT Raipur for establishing a Skill Satellite Centre
- ToT agreements under CRTDH, supported to CSIR-CEERI, Pilani.
Highlights of 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR:
Key Dignitaries: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary of DSIR; Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India (GoI); S.C.L. Das, Secretary of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME); among others were present at the event.
Women Participation : While addressing the event, Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the robust women participation, mentioning that more than 10,000 women beneficiaries are currently availing the benefits from DSIR schemes which include over 55 women-Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Launch of 4 New Initiatives:
During the event, Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh also launched 4 new initiatives:
- The DSIR Guidelines for Recognition of In-House Research & Development (R&D) Centres of Deep-tech startups which includes the relaxation of the 3-year existence condition.
- Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Startups and MSMEs(PRISM) Network Platform-‘TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre(TOCIC) Innovator Pulse,’ aimed to strengthen innovation pipelines.
- Creative India 2025 was launched under the PRISM scheme aimed at promoting entrepreneurship.
- DSIR Disaster Management Plan which reinforces preparedness and resilience.
MoUs and Agreements: The event also witnessed the exchange of several key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.
- An Agreement was signed under the Technology Development and Utilisation Programme for Women (TDUPW) to set up a Skill Satellite Centre at Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, in partnership with National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur, aimed to promote technology-driven skill development and livelihood generation for rural women.
- Also, Transfer of Technology (ToT) Agreements were signed for the technologies developed under the Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDH) Programme supported to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani(Rajasthan), aimed to strengthen MSME-focused R&D infrastructure across the country.
About Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR):
Secretary- Dr. N. Kalaiselvi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- January 04, 1985
