ITRI to Set Up 10-12 Translational Research Hubs; ₹7,000-10,000 Crore Needed to Bridge Valley of Death

Rs 1 Lakh Crore RDI Fund: Collateral-Free Loans at 2-4% Interest for Deep-Tech Firms via TDB, BIRAC

The government's Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund for deep-tech innovation has come under scrutiny as 15 of 22 funded companies have investment ties to selection committee members. The fund provides collateral-free loans at 2-4% interest over 15 years, administered through ANRF with TDB and BIRAC as fund managers.

₹1.27 Lakh Crore Semicon 2.0 Launched: India Targets Domestic Chip Design, 1 Lakh More Engineers

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Semicon India 2026, highlighting India's progress in semiconductor manufacturing. The government launched Semicon 2.0 with ₹1.27 lakh crore outlay, shifting focus to domestic chip design, talent development, and supply chain localisation. This is critical for national security and tech self-reliance.

RDI Fund: Govt Defends Conflict Safeguards; 62% of ₹2,192 Cr Loans Went to Panel-Linked Firms

The RDI Fund, created to support deep tech companies, faces controversy as 62% of first-round soft loans (₹2,192 crore) went to firms linked to selection panel members. The government defends safeguards including super-majority voting and 10% stake disqualification, noting the second cohort has only 1 of 13 such companies. Congress seeks a parliamentary review on August 13.

Weekly UPSC Current Affairs: NEET Youth, PM CARES, SC on Hanging, GISAT-1A, MQ-9B, Grasslands Guide

This weekly compilation covers 20 critical current affairs topics from August 17-23, 2026. Key highlights include NITI Aayog's report on NEET youth (8.7 crore), PM CARES Fund details, Supreme Court upholding hanging, GISAT-1A launch, India-Mauritius fuel pact, and India's first Grasslands Guide. Essential for UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.

₹840 Cr Indigenous Ocean Research Vessel 'Sagar Manthan' Launched for NCPOR under Deep Ocean Mission

India's indigenous ocean research vessel 'Sagar Manthan', built by GRSE for NCPOR under the Deep Ocean Mission, was launched in Kolkata. The ₹840 crore vessel, expected by early 2028, will significantly boost India's deep-sea exploration capabilities in the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Antarctic region, supporting blue economy goals.

India's R&D Spend Stagnant at 0.64% GDP, Only 2,500 Postdoc Positions Fuelling Brain Drain

India's gross expenditure on R&D has stagnated at 0.64% of GDP for two decades, with only 2,500 postdoctoral positions nationally. This chronic underfunding—$13 per person vs. China's $250 and the US's $2,100—is driving an estimated 95% of Indian postdocs abroad. The article examines systemic flaws in India's research ecosystem and the transformative potential of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

India's R&D Spending, Patents Surge but Systemic Barriers Hinder Science Superpower Status: E-book

A Hindu e-book analyzes India's scientific trajectory, noting increased R&D spending and patent filings but flagging critical gaps: poor lab-to-market translation, bureaucratic hurdles, brain drain, and rising pseudoscience. For exams, this is a rich source of 'Challenges to India's Innovation Ecosystem' for GS3.

E20 Ethanol Fuel Used in 4 Crore Vehicles; Flex-Fuel Engines to End ₹22 Lakh Cr Fuel Imports

E20 ethanol-blended petrol is being used in 4 crore four-wheelers and 20 million two-wheelers without harming vehicles and with improved mileage. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that automobile companies will produce flex-fuel engines capable of running on 100% ethanol, potentially saving ₹22 lakh crore in fuel imports and boosting farmers' income through higher maize prices.