Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
Under iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) by Ministry of Defence
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Quick Answer
iDEX is a Ministry of Defence initiative that provides grants, mentorship, and access to test facilities to startups, MSMEs, and innovators for developing defence and aerospace technologies through…
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Ministry of Defence
- Application deadline
- —
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round are closed. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Ministry of Defence. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is an initiative by the Ministry of Defence to foster innovation and technology development in the Defence and Aerospace sector. It engages startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia to promote self-reliance. iDEX provides financial support (grants), mentorship, and access to test facilities to develop innovative solutions for defence needs through challenges like Defence India Startup Challenges (DISC) and Open Challenges.
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 Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, drives defence innovation through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, launched in 2018 under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO). iDEX creates an ecosystem to foster innovation in defence and…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Financial grant support (amounts vary per challenge; specific figures not listed on the page), mentorship, and access to test facilities for shortlisted/winning innovations.
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
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does iDEX work?
iDEX engages startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia through structured challenges (e.g., DISC and ADITI). Applicants submit solutions to specific defence and aerospace problems; winners receive grants, mentorship, and access to test facilities to develop and deploy their innovations.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include DPIIT-recognised startups, Indian companies incorporated under the Companies Act (primarily MSMEs), and individual innovators (who must form a startup before the grant agreement). Solutions must address defence/space challenges or demonstrate relevant innovation.
How much grant funding is provided?
The scheme provides grants, but exact amounts are not published on the current page. Grant sizes vary per challenge and are approved based on the solution and its potential impact. Earlier editions have disbursed crores in total (actual per-call numbers are not stated here).
Is iDEX currently open for applications?
The scheme itself is a recurring program. As of the fetched page, DISC 12 has been reopened for a new round. Check idex.gov.in for the latest open challenges and deadlines. Note: This database record marks the scheme as closed; individual challenge editions may open periodically.
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 · 6 days ago
- iDEX Impact Turns Drone Prototype of a Labourer’s Son into a National Opportunityraksha-anirveda.com · 2 weeks ago
Source: Google News aggregated
