Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): it is a government initiative to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging various stakeholders. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (Science and Technology- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology)

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) in News

Recently, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative has reached a milestone with the signing of its 250th contract – first under Mission DefSpace – and 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract in New Delhi. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is the flagship initiative of Ministry of Defence.

iDEX Performance

iDEX is making remarkable progress in expediting the resolution of agreements with start-ups and innovators, ensuring timely outcomes. This approach not only creates numerous opportunities for emerging start-ups to become successful unicorns but also effectively addresses the requirements of the armed services.

• The iDEX achieved the milestone of signing its 1st and 50th iDEX SPRINT contracts under DISC-7 in October 2022 and January 2023 respectively and within a few months the 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract was exchanged.
• Till date, iDEX has received more than 7,500 applications from individual innovators, MSMEs and start-ups under various categories of challenges like DISC, Prime and Open Challenge.
• iDEX has also been able to generate thousands of jobs and attract India’s talent back to the country.

Key Facts about IDEX Initiative

iDEX framework aims to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging Industries including MSMEs, startups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia and promote self-reliance.

• Background: The iDEX framework was launched by the Prime Minister in 2018 with the objective to provide the platform of co-creation & co-development in the defence sector.
• Objective: The objective of the IDEX scheme is to provide financial support to nearly 300 Startups/ MSMEs/individual innovators and about 20 Partner incubators through Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).
• Implementation: iDEX will be funded and managed by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO).
  • iDEX will function as the executive arm of the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).
• Funding: The Government has approved a central sector scheme for iDEX with budgetary support of Rs. 498.78 crore for the next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
  • For the current financial year 2021-2022, Rs. 45 crore have been released by the Government to iDEX-DIO.
• Key Functions:
  • Create a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for defence and aerospace sectors.
  • Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the defence and aerospace sectors.

Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO)

• About: Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) was formed as a “not for profit‟ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose.
• Key Function: DIO is responsible for managing and funding the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative
  • The modalities of implementation of DIF will be managed by a specialized team known as the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) within the DIO.
  • DIO will provide high-level policy guidance to iDEX. However, iDEX will have functional autonomy.

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