New framework to standardise innovation assessment, boost deeptech ecosystem
New Delhi, Dec 30
The government has unveiled a new framework to establish a unified, objective yardstick to measure the maturity of technology projects from laboratory conception to commercial deployment.
The framework is open for public consultation until January 31, 2026. It aims to serve as the operational backbone for various R&D funds launched under National Missions.
By providing a rigorous methodology to assess projects across the nine Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) - ranging from Proof of Concept (TRL 1-3) to Prototype Development (TRL 4-6) and Operational Deployment (TRL 7-9), the framework will enable funding bodies to allocate resources with greater precision and de-risk early-stage technologies for private investment.
Highlighting the critical need for a common language between researchers and investors, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the government, said that for too long, the Indian deeptech ecosystem has faced a precarious situation where academia and industry speak different dialects regarding technology readiness.
"This mismatch often creates a 'Valley of Death' between TRL 4 and TRL 7, where funding dries up due to perceived risks. The NTRAF moves us from subjective narratives to objective evidence, ensuring that we are not just funding science experiments, but scalable, market-ready solutions," he stated while unveiling the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRAF).
Describing the document as a "definitive guide" for the scientific community, Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA (OPSA), noted that "By establishing a common language for technology maturity, we aim to bridge the often-subjective gap between a researcher's claim of readiness and an investor's or evaluator's requirement for proof."
Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), emphasised that technology readiness must run parallel to market validation, particularly beyond TRL 4.
He also suggested a pilot phase where 20 selected technologies may be cross-validated by the NRDC to calibrate and stress-test the framework before its broader adoption.
The experts emphasised the industry's role in shaping the tool, noting that its stringent standards ensure any startup claiming to be 'deployment-ready' meets true industrial-grade validation.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who works in venture capital, the "Valley of Death" between TRL 4-7 is very real. If this framework can provide objective metrics instead of just PowerPoint promises, it will be a game-changer for deeptech funding in India.
Good initiative, but the proof will be in the execution. We have a history of great policies that get lost in bureaucratic delays. The pilot phase with 20 technologies is a smart start. Let's see if it actually speeds things up.
Finally! Academia and industry speaking the same language. My PhD project had real-world potential but investors didn't understand the lab-to-market journey. This framework could have helped bridge that gap. Wishing the best for current researchers.
The focus on market validation parallel to tech readiness is key. We need products India and the world will buy, not just papers in journals. Hoping this brings more 'Make in India' success stories in semiconductors, AI, and biotech. 🇮🇳
A thoughtful and technical approach. Standardizing assessment is crucial for any mature innovation ecosystem. The two-year consultation period seems long, but getting broad buy-in from researchers, startups, and industry is probably worth it.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.