Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework was launched by the Government with the aim to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia and promote self-reliance. The Government has approved a central sector scheme viz. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) with budgetary support of Rs 498.78 crore for the next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. 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).
Under iDEX route, the Government focuses on innovation and design & development, and supports the start-ups and innovators for successful prototype development. So far, 132 start-ups have been engaged and 66 contracts have been signed for prototype development. Out of them, Indian Navy, after successful trials, has placed a supply order on one iDEX winner. Moreover, the Ministry has also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 14 more iDEX products, paving the way for placement of orders on the iDEX winners.
iDEX incentivizes the youth to participate in iDEX as start-ups by providing grants, easier and faster access to test facilities/infrastructure available with various Government agencies, co-creation and co-development using smooth operating procedures and facilitating procurement, thus making the entire regime conducive for them.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma in Lok Sabha on March 25, 2022.
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Nampi/Savvy