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The Union Government has formally defined and notified eligibility criteria for “Deep Tech Start-ups” through a gazette notification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This provides a clear regulatory and financing framework for high-risk, high-impact technology ventures in India.

What is Deep Tech?

Deep technology (Deep Tech) refers to advanced, science-based and engineering-driven technologies that are disruptive in nature and capable of delivering transformational solutions. Unlike platform or incremental innovations, deep tech involves fundamental research, long gestation periods and high technical uncertainty.

Key domains include:

• Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
• Semiconductors & Electronics
• Quantum Technologies
• Biotechnology & Life Sciences
• Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials
• Robotics, 3D Printing, Space & Clean Energy technologies

What is a Deep Tech Start-up?

According to the DPIIT notification, a deep tech start-up is an enterprise whose core activity involves the creation of new scientific or engineering knowledge, supported by intensive R&D and novel intellectual property, with a clear pathway to commercialisation.

Eligibility Criteria

A start-up qualifies as a deep tech start-up if it:

• Spends a major portion of expenditure on R&D activities
• Owns or actively creates novel intellectual property (IP) and pursues its commercialisation
• Faces long development timelines, high capital and infrastructure requirements, and significant technical or scientific risk
• Is primarily engaged in knowledge creation, not incremental innovation

Prohibition: Investment in non-core activities such as real estate, speculative assets or securities is not permitted, unless directly linked to knowledge creation.

Special Regulatory Relaxations

• Extended recognition period: Up to 20 years (regular start-ups: 10 years)
• Higher turnover threshold: Up to ?300 crore (regular start-ups: ?200 crore)
• Mandatory certification: Start-ups must apply to DPIIT for deep tech certification

Certification Mechanism

• DPIIT is the final certifying authority
• Certification guided by an Inter-Ministerial Technical Board, including:
  • Joint Secretary, DPIIT (Convener)
  • Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DST)
  • Representatives from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

Financing & Institutional Support

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (Anusandhan National Research Foundation – ANRF) is the custodian of the ?1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund
• Policy-backed patient capital:
  • Long-term concessional finance
  • Reported interest range: 2–4%
  • Tenure: up to 15 years

Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

• Total outlay: ?1 lakh crore over 6 years
• FY 2025–26 allocation: ?20,000 crore
• Funding source: Consolidated Fund of India
• Nodal Department: DST

Key Objectives:

• Scale up private sector R&D in sunrise and strategic sectors
• Finance projects at higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)
• Support acquisition of critical and strategic technologies
• Facilitate creation of a Deep-Tech Fund of Funds

Significance of the Policy

• Patient capital for high-risk innovation (AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotech)
• Strengthens technological sovereignty and reduces import dependence
• Positions India as a global R&D hub in the “China+1” ecosystem
• Enables India-specific solutions in healthcare, agriculture, energy and defence
• Helps India move up the global value chain from services to IP-led growth