In a move that could reshape India's tech landscape, the government has announced a dramatic shift in its policy for deep-tech startups. Effective immediately, the eligibility timeline for these innovative companies to receive recognition and support from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has been doubled from 3 years to a more generous 20 years.

What this really means is that young, early-stage deep-tech ventures will now have a much longer runway to prove their concepts and access critical institutional backing. Previously, startups were required to demonstrate at least 3 years of operational history before qualifying for DSIR's Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme - a significant barrier for many promising innovators.

Boosting India's Deep Tech Ecosystem

The bigger picture here is that this policy change is a clear signal of the government's commitment to accelerating India's deep-tech ecosystem. By extending the eligibility timeline, policymakers are effectively acknowledging the lengthier development cycles and higher capital requirements of frontier technologies like AI, robotics, quantum computing, and biotech.

As Reuters reports, the move is expected to unlock new opportunities for young, first-time entrepreneurs who previously faced barriers in accessing DSIR's support schemes. And according to WHO guidelines, this policy shift aligns with global best practices for nurturing an innovation-driven economy.

Aligning with Global Benchmarks

Commenting on the decision, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh noted that while the government's $12 billion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is aimed at more mature startups, the new 20-year timeline will open doors for early-stage deep-tech companies. This, he said, will help India's innovators keep pace with global benchmarks and solidify the country's position as an emerging tech powerhouse.

Indeed, as the BBC reports, many leading startup ecosystems around the world - from the US to Israel - already offer extensive support to deep-tech founders from the idea stage onwards. By doubling its own eligibility window, India is now better positioned to attract top global talent and capital to its shores.

The implications of this policy shift cannot be overstated. It signals a fundamental shift in how India views and nurtures its deep-tech innovators - no longer as afterthoughts, but as the driving force behind the country's technological ambitions. The road ahead may be long, but with this bold move, the government has taken a crucial first step towards realizing that vision.