SOURCE: AFI
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched a major initiative to propel India’s defence sector towards self-reliance and technological prowess. The Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme boasts a dedicated corpus of ?750 crore over a three-year period (2023-24 to 2025-26).
ADITI aims to bridge the gap in critical defence technologies for the Indian Armed Forces. The scheme envisions the development of 30 such technologies by 2025-26. This focus on indigenous innovation aligns with the government’s push for self-reliance in defence production.
The scheme extends a helping hand to startups, a key driver of innovation. Under ADITI, startups can receive grant-in-aid of up to ?25 crore to support their research, development, and innovation endeavors in defence technology. This financial backing empowers them to translate their ideas into reality and contribute to India’s defence capabilities.
ADITI builds upon the existing Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework. It can be seen as an expansion of iDEX, with ADITI Prime offering a higher level of assistance. This two-tiered structure caters to the evolving needs of the innovation ecosystem.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while launching the scheme, highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of innovation. He emphasized that ADITI will not only strengthen the Armed Forces but also contribute to India’s transformation into a knowledge society.