iDEX Open Challenge by DIO
Under iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) by Defence Innovation Organisation
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Quick Answer
Up to ₹1.5 crore equity-free defence grant for Indian startups, innovators and MSMEs.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹1.5Cr
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Defence Innovation Organisation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 30 June 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Defence Innovation Organisation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The iDEX Open Challenge is a flagship initiative under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), implemented by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in India’s defence and aerospace sectors. The challenge creates a structured platform for startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators to propose breakthrough technologies that can strengthen India’s military and strategic capabilities.
The Open Challenge casts a wide net across leading-edge technology domains including aerospace, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, intelligent machines, predictive algorithms, and related defence applications. Unlike narrowly defined problem statements, this category allows innovators to propose original solutions that have potential use in defence and aerospace environments.
Selected applicants are given the opportunity to present their solutions before the iDEX Grand Jury. High-potential proposals may qualify for grants of up to ₹1.5 crore, along with potential investment support. The initiative is organized periodically throughout the year, enabling continuous engagement between innovators and defence stakeholders. Through facilitation by DIO and its partner incubators, startups and innovators can directly engage with the armed forces and defence ecosystem.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
The Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) is a not-for-profit Section 8 company formed under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It funds and manages Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the framework through which startups,…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹1.5Cr
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Direct engagement with the armed forces and defence ecosystem; access to DIO and Partner Incubator network; opportunity to pilot solutions with the military; visibility through iDEX Grand Jury showcase; potential follow-on investment via SIDBI iDEX Seed Fund and other iDEX-linked instruments.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Submitted proposals are screened for fit with defence/aerospace use cases, then technically evaluated. Shortlisted innovators pitch to the iDEX Grand Jury, which selects winners for milestone-based grant contracts. Evaluation considers technology novelty, defence applicability, team capability and feasibility of demonstration.
Application Process
- 1
Register on iDEX Portal
Create an account on https://idex.gov.in/ and complete the innovator/startup profile.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much grant funding does the iDEX Open Challenge offer?
Selected innovators can receive grants of up to ₹1.5 crore, disbursed in tranches against milestones under the iDEX SPARC framework.
Who is eligible to apply?
Indian startups, individual innovators and MSMEs with technology solutions applicable to defence and aerospace are eligible.
Do I need to be DPIIT-recognised to apply?
No. DPIIT recognition is not mandatory. Startups, MSMEs and even individual innovators can apply.
What technology domains are covered?
Aerospace, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, intelligent machines, predictive algorithms and other defence-relevant deep-tech areas.
Does iDEX take equity?
No. iDEX grants are non-dilutive and equity-free.
How are applications evaluated?
Through a multi-stage process: eligibility screening, technical evaluation by subject experts, and a final pitch to the iDEX Grand Jury.
How are funds disbursed?
Funds are released in milestone-based tranches under a SPARC-style contract, with deliverables and timelines defined upfront.
What is the deadline for the current cycle?
30 June 2026, 11:59 PM. iDEX Open Challenge cycles refresh periodically throughout the year.
Is there any application fee?
No. Applications are free.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
News
- Defence Ministry's 1st iDEX winner: How a Swadeshi Firefighting Robot Fits into the Unfinished Lesson of Op Sindoorrepublicworld.com · 3 days ago
- iDEX Impact Turns Drone Prototype of a Labourer’s Son into a National Opportunityraksha-anirveda.com · last week
Source: Google News aggregated
