Ministry Flags Potential Conflict of Interest in RDI Fund Allocations

The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that structured ethical guidelines and multi-tier review procedures have been implemented to address potential conflict of interest risks during the evaluation and allocation of financial grants under the national Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

To strengthen domestic technological capability and promote private-sector scientific research, India established strategic funding frameworks, including the Deep Tech Fund and operational mechanisms under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act, 2023. These schemes aim to fund early-stage research, prototyping, and high-risk technology commercialisation across academic and private institutions.

The ministry clarified that expert selection panels reviewing high-value research proposals are subject to mandatory disclosure protocols regarding financial, professional, or institutional ties. Panel members affiliated with applicant universities, research institutes, or commercial startups are strictly recused from evaluating those specific proposals to preserve meritocratic allocation.

Instituting strict ethical safeguards in public science funding is critical for fostering genuine innovation, building global R&D credibility, and avoiding cronyism in government grants. For competitive exams, Prelims tests the institutional setup of ANRF and national S&T initiatives, while Mains evaluates public R&D funding efficiency, ethics in governance, and national innovation policy.