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Centre Pitches Big Deep-Tech Push at Chennai Conclave as ISRO Targets Mid-Year PSLV Return

A Union minister urged Tamil Nadu to align with the Centre to scale its startup base using a new ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund.

Overview

  • Jitendra Singh called for closer Centre–state coordination in Tamil Nadu, noting 34,000 registered startups in the state and more than 2 lakh nationwide that have generated over 21 lakh jobs.
  • The government announced a ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund to advance private entrepreneurs to TRL 4, with CSIR easing the prior three-year sustainability condition and a separate ₹10,000-crore deep-tech fund earlier announced by the Prime Minister.
  • Larsen & Toubro launched a Centre of Excellence in Kanchipuram, and CSIR signed umbrella MoUs with academic institutions and incubation centres to strengthen research-to-market pathways.
  • ISRO’s 2026 manifest remains intact with 18 launches planned, including six involving private players, according to the minister.
  • PSLV flights could resume by June or July subject to pre-run results, while Gaganyaan stays targeted for 2027 with a Vyommitra robo-flight expected before year-end.