News Updates

News Updates

MoU with EdCIL (India) Ltd. under the ASPIRE Program

09 September 2025

iDEX-DIO signed an MoU with EdCIL (India) Ltd. under the ASPIRE program to foster dual-use technologies. The MoU was signed by Joint Secretary (DIP) & Additional CEO, DIO Shri Amit Satija and Joint Secretary (TEL), Ministry of Education & CMD, EdCIL Shri Govind Jaiswal in New Delhi on September 09, 2025.

Manthan, Aero India 2025

12 February 2025

Manthan, iDEX’s flagship defence innovation event at Aero India 2025, chaired by Secretary (DP) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, showcased India’s vibrant defence innovation ecosystem with iDEX winners, senior leaders and industry, fostering dialogue on future defence technologies and startup empowerment.

Secretary (DP) Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chaired aRoundtable with Banks, Financial Institutions, Investors, Startups and MSMEs

16 April 2025

Secretary (DP) Shri Sanjeev Kumar chaired a Roundtable with banks, financial institutions, investors, startups and MSMEs on April 16, 2025, at South Block, New Delhi. The discussions focused on financing risks, challenges, and aligning funding mechanisms with the needs of iDEX startups and defence innovation.

12th edition of Defence India startup Challenge

07 October 2024

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri launched the 12th edition of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC-12) with 41 problem statements across key technology domains, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), AI, Networking and Communication, with grants up to Rs 1.50 crore. It also introduces the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative, featuring nine challenges aimed at fostering the development of medical technologies to meet the medical demands of the Armed Forces.

Launch of Aditi 2.0 Challenges

07 October 2024

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri launched the 2nd edition of ADITI with 19 problem statements featuring challenges from the Armed Forces and allied agencies in the domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, military communication, anti-drone systems customised for military platforms and adaptive camouflage, etc. This scheme offers a grant of up to Rs 25 crore to focus on critical technological areas crucial for strengthening the defence ecosystem of the country.

Def Connect 4.0

07 October 2024

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on October 07, 2024, inaugurated DefConnect 4.0 at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt, a significant step towards advancing indigenous innovation and celebrating the growing defence ecosystem of the country. The event is being organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence - Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), under Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence..

Launch of ADITI 3.0 Challenges

29 October 2024

On October 29, 2024, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled the third edition of the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 3.0) challenge during the NIIO seminar 'Swavlamban' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The ADITI 3.0 challenge invites startups to design a High-Power Microwave Weapon System for the Indian Navy, advancing indigenous defence technologies and enhancing operational capabilities.

3rd Edition of the INDUS-X

09 September 2024

3rd Edition of the INDUS-X Summit convenes at Stanford University, California, USA on 09-10 Sep 2024. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between iDEX and the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU). Other highlights included announcement of a new challenge , announcement of pilot case for testing consortium, release of the INDUS-X Impact Report and launch of the official INDUS-X webpage..

13th Edition of Defence Indian Startup Challenges launched

29 October 2024

During NIIO seminar ‘Swavlamban’ October 29, 2024, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh also launched the 13th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 13). This edition features seven challenges from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, focusing on Artificial Intelligence, military communication, and autonomous bots, aimed at driving innovation in key defence technology areas.

Additional Secretary DP and CEO DIO Shri Sanjay Jaju at SINE IITB

26 April 2022

Additional Secretary (DP) and CEO/DIO, Shri Sanjay Jaju speaking at SINE - IITB on 25th April 2022, encouraged Defence/Aerospace Startups to apply for DISC6 and iDEXPrime to get first-hand exposure in solving military problems

Archive

Maximum limit of active contracts in iDEX

16 August 2022

iDEX-DIO is happy to inform that the number of active contracts with iDEX winners at any time have been increased up to five contracts.

Cut of Dates

11 October 2022

Clarification of cut-off dates for applicability of maximum limit of active contracts in iDEX
1. The cut-off date of eligibility will be counted as per the last date of application as per the DISC/OC.
2. Till the time 5th milestone is completed and the final tranche is disbursed, the contract will be counted as active.

iDEX signed 150th contract

22 December 2022

Aatmanirbhar Bharat:-iDEX-DIO signs 150th contract for defence innovation on Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target capable of simulating sound & movement of a submarine

iDEX signs its 50th SPRINT contract

04 January 2023

iDEX signs its 50th SPRINT contract with Sagar Defence in the presence of RAdm Arjun Dev Nair, ACNS (SR), RAdm K Srinivas, ACOM (Mod) & Cmde A P Golaya, Oi/C TDAC on 4th January, 2022.

Review meeting of Navy SPRINT Cases

05 January 2023

Vice chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral S N Ghormade took the review meeting with iDEX and NIIO for SPRINT cases on 5th Jan 2023

Startup visit at INS Hansa

09 February 2023

"IDEX winner Skylark Labs India Pvt. Ltd., visited Indian Naval Air Stations in Goa and Visakhapatnam and collected data pertaining to challenge awarded. The visit will help in progress of their ongoing DISC 7 (SPRINT) Challenge “Al-based Foreign Object Detection  (FOD) System” for the Indian Navy. This cutting-edge technology will enhance the safety and efficiency of the Naval air strips".

4th edition of Innovate 4 Defence i4D

15 February 2023

4th edition of Innovate4Defence (i4D) - a 45-day internship program was launched by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri during Manthan at Aero-India 2023 for students of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in India.

9th edition of Defence India Startup Challenge DISC 9

15 February 2023

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri launched the 9th edition of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC-9) with 28 problem statements on the theme of “Cyber Security” from Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Airforce, Defence PSUs, and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

iDEX Investor Hub iIH launched

15 February 2023

iDEX Investor Hub (iIH) was launched by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri during Manthan at Aero-India 2023, to accelerate investments in the Defence sector with a pledged investment of over Rs 200Cr from 9 leading investors to augment the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Back