Defence India Startup Challenge – DISC 14
Offered By - Government Of India, Ministry of Defence
About the Program
If you’re a deep-tech startup, MSME, or innovator in India working on defence, AI, drones, or advanced engineering, DISC 14 is directly designed for you. This program specifically targets solution builders who can solve real-world military problem statements issued by the Indian Armed Forces.
The Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 14) is part of the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) initiative under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. In this edition, 82 problem statements have been released by the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, covering areas like AI, autonomous systems, drone warfare, electronic intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced materials.
Unlike generic startup programs, DISC 14 is problem-statement driven—meaning startups must apply against specific defence use cases such as:
- AI-powered targeting systems
- Swarm logistics drones
- Anti-drone technologies
- Indigenous thermal imaging components
- Military-grade communication and surveillance systems
Selected startups receive grant funding (up to ₹1.5 crore) to build prototypes and solutions that can potentially be inducted into defence operations. This positions DISC 14 at the early-to-growth stage of deep-tech startups, especially those capable of building hardware + software systems for national security applications.
From a founder’s perspective, this program is most relevant if you already have strong technical capability (AI, robotics, hardware, defence tech) and can align with a specific military use case. It’s not ideal for idea-stage startups—teams with prototype readiness or R&D capability will benefit the most.
Offerings / Benefits:
- Grant funding up to ₹1.5 crore
- Opportunity to solve real defence challenges from Indian Armed Forces
- Potential for prototype development and defence adoption
- Exposure to defence ecosystem and stakeholders
Sectors Supported:
- Defence technology
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Drones / Unmanned Systems
- Electronics & Communication
- Cybersecurity
- Advanced materials & optics
Funding & Benefits
This program offers a combination of financial support, mentorship, and ecosystem access to help startups grow and scale their solutions effectively.
Funding
Mentorship
Beyond funding, programs like this provide credibility, exposure, and strategic support that can significantly accelerate a startup’s growth journey.
Who Can Apply / Eligibility
- Open to Startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators
- Must work on solutions aligned with provided defence problem statements
- Focus on defence and military applications (AI, drones, surveillance, electronics, etc.)
- Geography: India-specific program (under Ministry of Defence)
Best suited for startups building deep-tech, defence-grade solutions with strong R&D capability.
Selection Process
- Application submission through the official platform
- Initial screening based on eligibility and concept strength
- Evaluation based on innovation, scalability, and impact
- Shortlisting of selected applicants
- Final selection by the organizing body
The exact selection process may vary depending on program guidelines.
How to Apply
- Visit the official iDEX DISC challenge portal provided below
- Browse available problem statements (DISC 14)
- Select a relevant challenge aligned with your solution
- Submit your proposal/application through the platform
- Address technical requirements and solution approach
Frequently Asked Questions
- Open to Startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators
- Must work on solutions aligned with provided defence problem statements
- Focus on defence and military applications (AI, drones, surveillance, electronics, etc.)
- Geography: India-specific program (under Ministry of Defence)
Best suited for startups building deep-tech, defence-grade solutions with strong R&D capability.
Source & Verification
All information is compiled from publicly available sources. Refer to the links below for most accurate & updated details. Disclaimer
- Source 1: idex.gov.in
- Source 2: idex.gov.in
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