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iDEX and Defence India Start-Up Challenge

Why in News?

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, has reached a milestone with the signing of its 150th contract.

The contract relates to an Indian Navy project of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition.

What is iDEX?

About:

iDEX, which was established in 2018, is an ecosystem that promotes innovation and technological advancement in the fields of defence and aerospace by working with entrepreneurs and innovators to provide cutting-edge solutions for the modernization of the Indian Military.

It finances and awards grants to new businesses, entrepreneurs, creative individuals, R&D organisations, and academic institutions so they can do research and development..

To assist ever-expanding start-ups in the defence sector, the iDEX-Prime seeks to fund initiatives requiring support beyond Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 10 crore.

The iDEX portal was created to increase awareness of iDEX activities, increase their visibility, and improve information management for the purpose of running future challenges more effectively.

Core Objectives:

Indigenization: Rapid development of new, indigenized and innovative technology.

Innovation: Creates a culture of engagement with innovative startups to encourage co-creation.

Funding:

iDEX is funded and managed by “Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO)”.

Achievement:

iDEX has been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in Innovation Category for the year 2021.

What is DIO?

DIO was established as a nonprofit organisation in accordance with Section 8 of the 2013 Companies Act.

It is supported by Bharat Electronics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) (BEL).

It offers iDEX high-level policy recommendations.

What is DISC?

The goal of DISC is to assist startups, MSMEs, and innovators in the development and commercialization of goods and solutions for national security and defence.

2018 saw the inauguration of the first DISC in Bengaluru.

The Ministry of Defense and Atal Innovation Mission collaborated to launch it (AIM).

AIM is the government of India’s premier programme to foster and spread an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit throughout the nation.

Under the program, the start-ups, Indian companies and individual innovators (including research & academic institutions) can participate.

DISC 7 has been launched with 69 Problem Statements (PS) from Indian Navy for resolution by startups & innovators.

What are Government Initiatives Regarding Indigenisation?

First Negative Indigenisation

Positive Indigenisation List

New FDI Policy in Defence Sector

Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020

Defence Industrial Corridors