Innovations for Defence Excellence

The Innovations for Defence Excellence is a central sector scheme run by the Defence Innovation Organisation under the Ministry of Defence , Government of India. It was launched in 2018 by the Prime Minister of India. The scheme was formally approved with a budgetary support of ₹498.78 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. The purpose of iDEX is to foster innovation and technology development in the defence and aerospace sectors by engaging industries, MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia to solve defence sector problem-statements and promote self-reliance. As an MSME or start-up, your business can benefit by participating in calls for problems, developing technology solutions and potentially getting funding, market access and support under iDEX.

Key Features
Financial Assistance
Eligibility Criteria
Documents Required
Application Process for the Scheme

Key Features

Support for MSMEs, start-ups and individual innovators: The scheme specifically includes these categories as eligible entities so that smaller enterprises like yours can participate.
Problem-statement driven model: Defence users (for example Armed Forces, DPSUs) identify technology gaps or problems. These are then published by iDEX and you can propose solutions addressing those problems.
Financial contracts/grants for technology development: Selected proposals receive funding contracts from iDEX/DIO for prototype development, testing and demonstration.
Access to partner incubators and ecosystem partners: iDEX works with partner incubators/technology hubs to provide mentoring, access to labs, testing facilities and business development support.
Rapid prototyping, testing and deployment pathways: The scheme emphasises speed from concept to prototype, with the aim of eventual deployment into defence usage, thereby giving you a quicker route to scale.
Budgetary support of ₹498.78 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26: The central government has allocated nearly ₹498.78 crore for the scheme over five years, giving a stable funding envelope.
Simplified process for smaller businesses: Compared to typical defence procurement, iDEX offers a more accessible entry point for MSMEs and start-ups, lowering the barrier for participation and enabling faster decisions. This is reflected in scheme design.

Financial Assistance

Component	Assistance Provided	Detailed Explanation & Example
Innovation contract / grant	Funding support for technology development	Example: Your MSME proposes an unmanned aerial system solution for a published iDEX problem-statement. On selection, you receive, say, ₹1 crore grant to develop the prototype, test it and deliver results.
Access to incubator/partner support	Mentoring, testing facilities, business connect	Example: You as a start-up are linked to a partner incubator under iDEX, get access to lab/test infrastructure and mentorship while you work on the prototype.
Pathway to defence user deployment	Opportunity to test and deploy prototype in defence usage	Example: After prototype completion, you showcase it to the armed forces or DPSU, securing a chance to enter supply chain or production for defence use.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply:

Indian startups registered under DPIIT.
MSMEs meeting Indian ownership and control conditions.
Individual innovators with a valid Aadhaar and project proposal.
Academic institutions and research organisations based in India.
Companies working in defence, aerospace, robotics, electronics, AI, cyber or related domains.
New and early-stage entrepreneurs developing innovative, defence-relevant solutions.

Who Cannot Apply:

Entities not registered in India.
Companies with significant foreign ownership that violate defence procurement norms.
Organisations involved in activities restricted under defence or national security regulations.
Startups with unresolved legal disputes, major compliance issues or ineligible shareholding structures.
Firms developing non-defence or unrelated commercial technologies without defence applicability.

Documents Required

Certificate of Incorporation for startups or MSMEs
DPIIT startup recognition certificate (if applicable)
Aadhaar and PAN of founders
Company PAN and GST details
Technical proposal and problem statement solution
Prototype development plan and milestones
Financial projections and funding requirement
Compliance declarations and ownership documents
Bank account details for fund disbursement

Application Process for the Scheme

Option 1: Apply with Bullit (Recommended)

Click here to start with guided support. Our team verifies eligibility, compiles documents, and handles application & follow-ups on your behalf. You can monitor progress while focusing on operations.

Recommended for: Lean teams. Designed to save you time and effort. Access expert help from start to finish.

Option 2: Apply through iDEX (Official Process)

Visit the iDEX portal or Defence Innovation Organisation portal.
Select the active challenge or programme (iDEX Challenges, DISC, SPARK or iDEX Prime).
Register your organisation and fill in the application form with project details.
Upload technical concept notes, prototype plans and organisation documents.
Shortlisted applicants present their proposal before the evaluation committee.
Selected innovators sign the grant agreement and receive funding in milestones.
Develop a prototype, conduct trials and submit results for final assessment.

Power Combos with The Scheme