Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
iDEX
"A Ministry of Defence initiative that engages startups and MSMEs to develop innovative defence technologies through challenges, grants, and procurement commitments"
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is a flagship initiative launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Defence to foster innovation in the defence and aerospace sectors by engaging startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, and R&D institutions. Managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), iDEX funds prototyping and development through Defence India Startup Challenges (DISC) and provides a clear pathway from prototype to procurement. As of March 2026, iDEX has onboarded 676 startups/MSMEs, cleared 58 prototypes for procurement worth Rs 3,853 crore, signed 45 procurement contracts worth Rs 2,326 crore, and generated cumulative business of Rs 13,000 crore. The programme has been instrumental in developing indigenous FPV drones, loitering munitions, AI-based surveillance systems, and counter-drone technologies for the armed forces.
iDEX is a key Prelims topic (launch year, DISC, statistics) and important for Mains GS-3 (defence indigenisation, startup ecosystem, Atmanirbhar Bharat). The programme's success in bridging the gap between startups and the armed forces is a model for innovation in public procurement.
- 1 Launched in 2018 by Ministry of Defence
- 2 Managed by Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO)
- 3 Engages startups, MSMEs, and innovators through Defence India Startup Challenges (DISC)
- 4 676 startups/MSMEs onboarded as of March 2026
- 5 58 prototypes cleared for procurement worth Rs 3,853 crore
- 6 45 procurement contracts signed worth Rs 2,326 crore
- 7 Cumulative business generated Rs 13,000 crore
- 8 Grants up to Rs 1.5 crore per challenge for prototyping
- 9 Each Army command empowered to induct approximately 5,000 UAS, many sourced via iDEX startups
Indigenous FPV drone systems and the Nagastra-1 loitering munition developed through the iDEX ecosystem are now deployed with the Indian Army's Shaurya Squadrons within armoured regiments.