Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

iDEX is a scheme launched by the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The scheme aims to create and nurture an innovation ecosystem in the defence and aerospace sectors by bringing together individual innovators, startups, and MSMEs. Under this framework, selected participants receive funding, mentorship, and a pathway to defence procurement.

The main objectives of the iDEX scheme are as follows:

• Enable rapid development of indigenised technologies for India’s defence and aerospace needs.

• Encourage deep engagement of startups and MSMEs in co-creation and innovation for defence.

• Support prototype development, testing, and eventual deployment of technologies through defence procurement channels.

• Build a collaborative ecosystem involving industry, academia, R&D institutes and defence establishments.
  

Listed below are the features of the scheme:

• Multiple challenge frameworks such as the Defence India Start‑up Challenge (DISC) and Open Challenges that call for innovative solutions.

• Funding support in the form of grants or equity for selected projects; for example, grants up to ₹1.5 Crore for standard projects and up to ₹10 Crore under the iDEX Prime programme.

• Access to specialised mentorship and incubation programmes through partner incubators and R&D institutions.

• A direct bridge to defence procurement procedures, enabling selected technologies to be scaled and adopted by the Indian Armed Forces.

• Regular mapping of focus areas including artificial intelligence, robotics, homeland security, aerospace systems, and advanced manufacturing for defence.

Here are the main benefits of the scheme:

• Innovators gain support from the government and defence industry, reducing financial risk.

• Startups and MSMEs can accelerate technology development and gain opportunities for large-scale procurement.

• Collaboration with academia and industry increases credibility, improves market access and improves integration into defence supply chains.

• Successful solutions contribute to India’s strategic goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.

The following are eligible to apply for the iDEX - Innovation for Defence Excellence scheme:

• Start-ups recognised under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) can apply.

• Companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 or earlier, and functioning as MSMEs are eligible.

• Individual innovators, research organisations or academic institutions may also participate, subject to forming a qualifying entity before grant sanction.

• Applicants must propose solutions aligned with defence and aerospace focus areas defined by the DIO.

Here’s a list of documents required for the iDEX scheme:

• Certificate of company incorporation

• AoA and MoA (if applicable)

• DPIIT registration certificate

• MSME certificate

• Financial statements and auditor’s report of the company

• Applicant’s ID card issued by the government

You can follow this step-by-step guide to apply for the scheme:

1. Visit the official iDEX portal and check for active challenge-calls or open topics.

2. Register the organisation or startup on the portal and fill out the online application form.

3. Upload required documents, submit the detailed proposal, and select the relevant challenge track (e.g., DISC or Open Challenge).

4. Short-listed entities are invited for evaluation, prototype development, or proof-of-concept activities.

5. Upon approval, the applicant receives funding, and development milestones are monitored by the DIO partner.

6. When the prototype succeeds, selected projects may enter procurement pipelines with defence equipment users.

The iDEX scheme provides a unique opportunity for innovators, startups and MSMEs to contribute meaningfully to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. For enterprises seeking capital, technology or scale-enablement in this sector, business loan options from Bajaj Markets offer complementary support to bridge the gap and help convert innovative ideas into viable defence solutions.