Science tech entrepreneurship schemes India 2026 are transforming how young innovators, researchers, and startups access funding, mentorship, and infrastructure. The Government of India has launched a powerful ecosystem of schemes — from the ₹1 lakh crore Research Development & Innovation (RDI) Fund to the Startup India Seed Fund — that connect technology with entrepreneurship to build a Viksit Bharat 2047. Whether you are a student, researcher, agri-tech founder, or an AI builder like the team behind Hanuman AI, these government yojanas are your launchpad.
In this latest 2026 guide, we cover every major scheme, eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and how to apply — all in one place. Bookmark this page and join our Telegram channel @agrijob_in for daily updates on govt schemes and agri jobs.
Why Science & Tech Entrepreneurship Matters in India 2026
India is the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, with over 1.47 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups as of 2026. The government’s push through science tech entrepreneurship schemes is fuelling this growth at an unprecedented pace. Key highlights:
- India ranked 40th in Global Innovation Index 2024 — up from 81st in 2015
- ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund approved by Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025
- STPI-registered units contributed USD 110 billion to India’s software exports in FY 2024–25
- Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 launched with ₹10,000 crore for deep-tech & AI
- Hanuman AI — India’s own GenAI chatbot — is a product of this innovation ecosystem
Hanuman AI — A Flagship Science Tech Entrepreneurship Success
Hanuman AI is a Generative AI (GenAI) chatbot built in India, jointly developed by seven IITs along with Reliance SML India and Abu Dhabi’s 3AI Holding. It supports 98 global languages including 12 Indian languages — Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Sindhi. This is exactly the kind of science-technology entrepreneurship the government’s schemes are designed to support.
Hanuman AI targets 200 million users in its first year and is already available for Android on the Play Store and via its official website. It works on a Large Language Model (LLM) architecture similar to ChatGPT and Google Gemini, offering speech-to-text capabilities, multilingual query resolution, and smart responses in seconds.
- Technology: LLM-based GenAI with Speech-to-Text
- Languages: 98 global + 12 Indian languages
- Partners: 7 IITs, Reliance SML, 3AI Holding (Abu Dhabi), HP, NASSCOM, Yotta
- Target sectors: Healthcare, Education, Finance, Administration
- Availability: Android (Play Store), Web — iOS coming soon
Top 8 Science Tech & Entrepreneurship Schemes of India 2026
Here is your complete guide to every major science tech entrepreneurship development yojana in India 2026. Each scheme includes funding amount, eligibility, and application process.
1. Research Development & Innovation (RDI) Fund — ₹1 Lakh Crore
The biggest science technology scheme of 2026. Approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025 and launched by the Prime Minister at ESTIC 2025 on 3 November 2025, the RDI Fund is India’s largest-ever investment in research-led innovation.
- Total outlay: ₹1 lakh crore over 6 years
- FY 2025–26 allocation: ₹20,000 crore
- Managed by: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), DST
- Who benefits: Private sector enterprises, startups, industries in sunrise & strategic sectors
- Goal: Transform ideas into globally competitive technologies for Viksit Bharat 2047
- Official portal: rdifund.anrf.gov.in
2. Startup India Scheme — Tax Benefits + Seed Fund + Fund of Funds
India’s flagship entrepreneurship development scheme, managed by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In 2026, eligibility has been revised significantly:
- Turnover limit: Raised to ₹200 crore (₹300 crore for Deep Tech startups)
- Age limit: 10 years (20 years for Deep Tech startups)
- New Deep Tech category: For AI, ML, Blockchain, quantum computing, biotech innovations
- Cooperative Societies: Now eligible (Multi-State and State-registered)
- Tax holiday: 3 years income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC
- Official portal: startupindia.gov.in
3. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
Managed by DPIIT, the SISFS helps early-stage startups move from idea to investment-ready stage — perfect for agri-tech, AI, and science-based ventures.
- Funding: Up to ₹20 lakh (grants) + ₹50 lakh (convertible debentures)
- Purpose: Prototype building, market entry, product testing
- Eligibility: DPIIT-recognised startups, incorporated ≤2 years
- Delivered via: DPIIT-approved incubators nationwide
4. Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 — ₹10,000 Crore
Prime Minister Modi launched Fund of Funds 2.0 in 2026 with ₹10,000 crore specifically for AI innovations and deep-tech startups. Managed by SIDBI, it has already committed ₹11,808 crore to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) as of December 2025.
- Focus areas: AI startups, deep-tech, early-stage innovation
- Manager: SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India)
- How it works: Funds flow to startups via SEBI-registered AIFs
5. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) — Next-Gen Incubation
STPI was established in 1991 under MeitY and has grown into one of India’s most active science tech entrepreneurship enablers. As of 2025–26, STPI operates 67 centres, with 59 in non-metro Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities.
- Focus tech: AI, ML, IoT, Blockchain, Robotics, Computer Vision
- Infrastructure: 17 lakh sq. ft. incubation space across India
- Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs): 24 nationwide
- Seed funding: Up to ₹25 lakh for gaming, animation, and emerging tech startups
- Achievements: 1,500+ startups supported; 800+ IPRs; 2,000+ product innovations since 2023
- Exports: STPI units contributed USD 110 billion in software exports in FY 2024–25
- Eligibility: Private Ltd / LLP / Partnership firms; incorporated ≤10 years
- Official site: stpi.in
6. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) — National Innovation Ecosystem
AIM is NITI Aayog’s flagship platform for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship culture across India. It acts as an umbrella structure for innovation programs, R&D, and early-stage incubation.
- Key programs: Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools, Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), Atal New India Challenges
- Funding for AICs: Up to ₹10 crore grant over 5 years
- School coverage: 10,000+ Atal Tinkering Labs across India
- Target: Students, researchers, MSMEs, startups at any stage
- Official site: aim.gov.in
7. NIDHI-PRAYAS — DST Prototype Funding for Innovators
Run by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), NIDHI-PRAYAS converts early-stage technology ideas into working prototypes aligned with the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Mission.
- Funding: Up to ₹10 lakh per innovator/startup
- Sector: Sector-agnostic (including agri-tech, biotech, AI)
- Eligibility: Students, researchers, innovators, early-stage startups
- Includes: Infrastructure at TBIs, mentoring, technical & financial guidance, industry connections
- Implemented via: IIT Bombay’s SINE (NIDHI-CoE)
8. IndiaAI Mission — National AI Programme 2025–26
India’s dedicated national AI program under MeitY to make the country a global AI leader. This mission directly supports AI startups like Hanuman AI and the broader science tech entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- GENESIS program: Up to ₹10 lakh non-refundable grants for early-stage AI startups (DPIIT-registered)
- SAMRIDH (MeitY): Acceleration for tech startups to scale up
- Digital India FutureLABS: For hardware + AI startups (robotics, smart sensors)
- AI for MSME Scheme: Subsidised credit for MSMEs adopting AI tools
- Focus: Ethical AI, responsible AI, multilingual AI (like Hanuman AI)
- Official site: indiaai.gov.in
Quick Overview: Science Tech Entrepreneurship Schemes 2026
| Scheme | Ministry / Body | Max Funding | Target Beneficiary |
|---|---|---|---|
| RDI Fund | ANRF / DST | ₹1 lakh crore (total) | Private sector, startups, industry |
| Startup India Seed Fund (SISFS) | DPIIT | ₹20L grant + ₹50L debenture | Early-stage DPIIT-recognised startups |
| Fund of Funds 2.0 | SIDBI / DPIIT | ₹10,000 crore (pool) | AI & deep-tech startups via AIFs |
| STPI / NGIS | MeitY | Up to ₹25 lakh seed | Tech startups (Pvt Ltd / LLP) |
| AIM (Atal Innovation Mission) | NITI Aayog | Up to ₹10 crore (AIC) | Students, MSMEs, early-stage |
| NIDHI-PRAYAS | DST | Up to ₹10 lakh | Innovators, researchers, students |
| IndiaAI / GENESIS | MeitY | Up to ₹10 lakh | DPIIT-registered AI startups |
| PM MUDRA Yojana | Finance Ministry | Up to ₹20 lakh loan | Non-corporate micro enterprises |
Who Should Apply for Science Tech Entrepreneurship Schemes?
- 🎓 Students & Researchers — working on prototype ideas in any tech field
- 🌾 Agri-Tech Founders — building solutions for precision farming, crop management, rural IoT
- 🤖 AI/ML Startups — building chatbots, image recognition, predictive analytics (like Hanuman AI)
- 🏭 Deep-Tech Innovators — working on quantum computing, biotech, advanced robotics
- 👩💼 Women Entrepreneurs — Stand-Up India + AIM provide special support
- 🏘️ Rural Entrepreneurs — STPI Tier 2/3 centres, PM MUDRA Yojana
- 🏢 MSMEs & Small Businesses — adopting AI tools for operations (AI for MSME scheme)
- 🔬 R&D Professionals — from IITs, NITs, research labs applying under RDI Fund / ANRF
How to Apply — Step-by-Step Process
- DPIIT Registration: Visit startupindia.gov.in → Register your entity as a startup → Get DPIIT recognition certificate
- Choose Your Scheme: Based on your stage (idea/prototype/growth) and sector (AI/agri-tech/deep-tech)
- Apply via Incubator (STPI/AIM): Contact nearest STPI centre or Atal Incubation Centre in your city
- RDI Fund: Submit proposals at rdifund.anrf.gov.in — open calls published regularly
- IndiaAI / GENESIS: Apply via MeitY-approved incubators with your AI product demo & business plan
- PM MUDRA: Visit any commercial bank, RRB, or NBFC with Aadhaar, PAN, and business plan
- Track & Follow-up: Join @agrijob_in on Telegram for deadline alerts & latest scheme updates
Explore More Government Schemes at AgriJob.in
Stay updated with the latest science tech and government yojana news at agrijob.in. We cover everything from agriculture jobs to the latest innovation schemes for Indian youth and entrepreneurs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Science Tech Entrepreneurship Schemes India 2026
What is the RDI Fund and how much is its budget?
The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund has a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over 6 years, with ₹20,000 crore allocated in FY 2025–26. It was approved by Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025 and officially launched at ESTIC 2025 on 3 November 2025. It supports private sector enterprises and startups working in sunrise and strategic technology sectors.
What is Hanuman AI and is it connected to government schemes?
Hanuman AI is India’s indigenous GenAI chatbot, co-developed by 7 IITs, Reliance SML India, and 3AI Holding (Abu Dhabi). While it was primarily a private-sector initiative, it represents the ideal outcome of India’s science tech entrepreneurship ecosystem — combining IIT R&D, private investment, and multilingual AI for 98 global and 12 Indian languages.
Which is the best scheme for an AI startup in India 2026?
For AI startups, the top choices are: IndiaAI Mission / GENESIS (up to ₹10 lakh grant from MeitY), Startup India Seed Fund (up to ₹20 lakh + ₹50 lakh), STPI NGIS (up to ₹25 lakh + incubation), and Fund of Funds 2.0 (₹10,000 crore pool via AIFs). First get DPIIT recognition, then approach any MeitY-approved incubator.
Can agriculture students and agri-tech startups apply for these schemes?
Yes! NIDHI-PRAYAS (DST) is sector-agnostic and specifically supports agri-innovators. AIM’s Atal Tinkering Labs and Atal Incubation Centres also welcome agri-tech ideas. NABARD additionally provides agri-entrepreneurship grants. The Startup India scheme now covers cooperative societies, which opens doors for farmer collectives and agri-business startups.
What is STPI and how many centres does it have in India?
STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) is an autonomous body under MeitY established in 1991. It currently operates 67 centres across India, with 59 located in non-metro Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. It supports startups in AI, IoT, Blockchain, ML, Robotics, and Computer Vision through its Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) and 24 Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs).
How to get PM MUDRA loan for a tech startup in 2026?
PM MUDRA Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana) provides collateral-free loans up to ₹20 lakh for non-corporate, non-agricultural small enterprises. Visit any commercial bank, Regional Rural Bank (RRB), small finance bank, or NBFC with your Aadhaar, PAN card, and a simple business plan. No collateral is required. It covers manufacturing, trading, and services sectors.
Important Links
| S.No | Particulars | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Startup India Official Portal | CLICK HERE |
| 02 | RDI Fund (ANRF / DST) | CLICK HERE |
| 03 | STPI Official Website | CLICK HERE |
| 04 | IndiaAI Mission (MeitY) | CLICK HERE |
| 05 | Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) | CLICK HERE |
| 06 | Agri Jobs Category — agrijob.in | CLICK HERE |
| 07 | Join Our Telegram Group | CLICK HERE |
| 08 | Join Our WhatsApp Group | CLICK HERE |
Disclaimer
This information on Science, Tech & Entrepreneurship Development Schemes of Government of India is provided purely for educational and career advancement purposes for Agriculture, Agri-Tech, Science, and Technology graduates and entrepreneurs. We are not representing any government ministry or agency. All scheme details are sourced from official government portals. Please verify the latest eligibility and deadlines from the official websites before applying. agrijob.in does not charge any fees for this information. For the latest govt scheme updates and agri job notifications, join our Telegram channel.
