To promote self-reliance, the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework was launched by the Government. The framework aims to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia. Seven editions of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) have been launched under the iDEX framework so far,

Under the iDEX route, the Government focuses on innovation and design & development and supports the start-ups and innovators with successful prototype development. So far, 136 start-ups have been engaged and 102 contracts have been signed for prototype development. Moreover, the Ministry has also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 14 iDEX products, paving the way for placement of orders on the iDEX winners.

The Government has approved a central sector scheme for iDEX with a budgetary support of Rs 498.78 crore for the five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The problem statements emanating from defence forces are launched under iDEX framework for development of technology and prototypes. This will help address the real time problems of defence forces. The objective of the scheme is to provide financial support to nearly 300 Start-ups/MSMEs/individual innovators and about 20 Partner Incubators through Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).

The Government encourages the start-ups to contribute to the defence sector and develop aerospace setup in the country by –

⦁ providing substantial grants, 

⦁ easier and faster access to test facilities/infrastructure available with various Government agencies,

⦁ co-creation and   co-innovation using smooth operating procedures and minimal documentation; and