New Delhi, July 1, 2025 — The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a series of major policy decisions aimed at boosting employment, sports development, and innovation in the country. Briefing the media on Tuesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet has cleared the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, and a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, along with the expansion of the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram National Highway into a four-lane corridor.
In a landmark move, the Cabinet approved the National Sports Policy 2025, which replaces the existing policy from 2001. This visionary framework seeks to transform India’s sports ecosystem and empower citizens through sports. The new policy lays out a strategic roadmap to position India as a global sports powerhouse, with a clear focus on excelling in major international events, including the 2036 Olympic Games. It aims to strengthen grassroots development, athlete support systems, and sports infrastructure across the country.
Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme
The Cabinet also approved the RDI Scheme with a budgetary allocation of ₹1 lakh crore, marking a transformational step toward strengthening India’s R&D ecosystem. The scheme is designed to provide long-term, low or zero-interest financing to encourage private sector investment in R&D and innovation. It aims to address key challenges related to financing and risk capital, especially in emerging and strategic sectors, while fostering innovation, technology adoption, and global competitiveness.
