Defence minister launched schemes for defence start-ups

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CategoryDefence

Last Updated24/04/2022

The Defence Minister of India has launched Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Prime and the sixth Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC–6) meant to encourage defence start–ups during DefConnect 2.0.

Aim: to support projects, requiring support beyond ₹1.5 crore up to ₹10 crore, to help the ever-growing start-ups in the sector
Objective: to provide an opportunity to science and tech professionals to understand futuristic technologies such as AI, Augmented Reality, block-chain and space technologies.
To provide direct & indirect employment to thousands of skilled and semi–skilled people.

It is related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced imaging, sensor systems.

Global Instability: due to:
- COVID-19 pandemic,
- Recent Ukrainian conflict,
- Instability in the Middle East [West Asia] and in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Ensuring peace and stability in the country: To equip the country in every area to ensure peace and stability, the development of disruptive technology is a key.

DARE to DREAM contest: launched by DRDO
- It is a Pan India Innovation Contest to support startups & innovators to contribute to the Defence ecosystem.
- DRDO specifies various themes and invites innovative ideas under those themes.
- Best ideas are selected and awarded.
- DRDO also supports awarded ideas to realise them into Prototype through TDF scheme
Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme: It is executed by DRDO under ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- The Government has approved TDF Scheme to encourage industries especially MSMEs and Startups to develop various defence technologies.
- The scheme operates in Grants-in-Aid Mode.
Procedure for ‘Make-II’ category, which is Industry funded, was introduced in DPP-2016 to encourage indigenous development and manufacture of defence equipment.
It has a number of industry friendly provisions such as relaxation of eligibility criterion, minimal documentation, provision for considering proposals suggested by industry/individual etc.

Prelims Takeaway