National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework

Context:

The National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRAF) was unveiled on December 29, 2025, to standardize innovation assessment in India.

Objective of the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework

• Developed in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), this framework establishes unified and objective standards for measuring the maturity of technology projects from laboratory concept to commercial deployment. The framework is open for public consultation until January 31, 2026.
• The framework aims to serve as an operational basis for various R&D funds launched under national missions.
• Its stringent standards ensure that any startup claiming to be “ready for deployment” is truly capable of achieving industrial-scale validation.

Methodology of the National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework

• By providing a consistent methodology for evaluating projects across nine technology readiness levels (TRLs), this framework will enable funding agencies to allocate resources more accurately and de-risk early-stage technologies for private investment.
• This includes stages ranging from proof of concept (TRL 1-3) to prototype development (TRL 4-6) and operational deployment (TRL 7-9).
• The structural rigor it introduces in evaluating high-risk, high-return projects will help refine the tool and evolve it to suit India's dynamic innovation landscape.

The Need for a National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework

• For too long, the Indian deeptech ecosystem has faced an unprecedented situation where academia and industry use different language regarding technology readiness.
• This inconsistency often leads to a 'wide gap' between TRL 4 and TRL 7, where funding is blocked due to perceived risks. The NTRAF leads to objective evidence and ensures that not only scientific experiments, but also achievable, market-ready solutions, are funded.
• It serves as a 'definitive guide' for the scientific community. The goal of establishing a common language for technology maturity is to bridge the often-subjective gap between a researcher's readiness claim and an investor's or evaluator's need for proof.
• The NTRAF It addresses ambiguity in technology transfer by establishing a unified metric that coordinates research laboratories, industry, and government on a valid and maintainable definition of readiness.

Key Features of the Framework

• Global Best Practices, Indian Context: Adapted from global standards (e.g., NASA) but tailored to the specific needs of the Indian R&D ecosystem.
• Objectivity over Subjectivity: Provides structured, evidence-based checklists for each stage of development, rather than qualitative estimates.
• Sector-Specific Complexities: Includes specialized appendices for specific sectors, such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and software, recognizing that different sectors have different development paths.
• Self-Assessment Tool: The project enables innovators to realistically assess their situation and identify technology gaps before seeking funding.

The Way Forward

Technology readiness should run parallel to market validation, especially beyond TRL 4. Also, a pilot phase can be adopted before implementing it on the ground.