During DefConnect 2024 in New Delhi on March 04, 2024, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme. This initiative aims to foster critical and strategic defense innovations. Under ADITI, start-ups can receive grants of up to Rs 25 crore for research, development, and innovation in defense technology. The Rs 750 crore scheme, spanning 2023-24 to 2025-26, falls under the iDEX framework, targeting the development of 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies. It also includes a ‘Technology Watch Tool’ to bridge gaps in defense innovation. In its first edition, ADITI launched 17 challenges across various defense sectors.
Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to encouraging youth innovation, expanding iDEX to iDEX Prime with increased assistance. He highlighted the transformative goal of turning India into a knowledge society through initiatives like ADITI, iDEX, and iDEX Prime. The event also featured the 11th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC), introducing 22 problem statements across different defense branches. Singh stressed the importance of mastering cutting-edge defense technology for self-reliance, working on both innovation adoption and indigenous development.
The Raksha Mantri emphasized the need for research and development (R&D) and outlined measures taken to promote domestic manufacturing. He highlighted governance and commerce interdependence, underlining the government’s role in providing a platform for the private sector. The efforts towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defense production were discussed, including positive indigenisation lists and plans to eliminate a short negative list for imports in the coming years.
As part of DefConnect 2024, a technology showcase by iDEX-Defence Innovation Organisation highlighted start-ups in AI, Robotics, Undersea Detection, UAVs, Wearable Technology, and more. The event also hosted a panel discussion on ‘Women as Drivers of Change’ and launched the iDEX internship program. Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with new investors under the iDEX Investors Hub (IIH) were announced, showcasing the government’s commitment to fostering investment in defense start-ups. The success stories of iDEX start-ups were acknowledged, solidifying the government’s dedication to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance in defense production.
