iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) Open Challenge
Offered By - Government Of India
About the Program
The iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) Open Challenge is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, executed through the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO). It is designed to create a structured innovation ecosystem by enabling startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators to directly engage with the Indian Armed Forces and defence establishments.
Under this Open Challenge format, applicants are not restricted to predefined problem statements (unlike DISC challenges). Instead, innovators can propose their own technologies, products, or solutions that have potential applications in defence and aerospace. This makes it one of the most flexible entry points into the defence innovation ecosystem.
The program operates under the SPARK (Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart) framework, which focuses on enabling early-stage innovation by funding prototype development, testing, and validation. Selected startups get the opportunity to present their solutions to a grand jury and may receive funding support along with incubation and mentorship.
A key objective of iDEX is to accelerate the development of indigenous technologies and reduce dependence on imports by fostering collaboration between startups and defence stakeholders. It also acts as a pathway for startups to eventually secure procurement opportunities from the Indian defence ecosystem, making it not just a grant program but a long-term commercialization opportunity.
The initiative is part of India’s broader “Make in India” and self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) mission, aiming to build a strong domestic defence innovation pipeline by supporting high-potential technologies across multiple domains.
Offerings –
- Grant funding up to ₹1.5 crore for prototype development
- Opportunity to pitch to defence experts and iDEX jury
- Direct access to Indian Armed Forces & defence ecosystem
- Mentorship through partner incubators
- Support for R&D, testing, and validation
- Potential pathway to defence procurement & commercialization
- Participation in innovation challenges and ecosystem programs
Who Can Apply / Eligibility
– Startups recognized under DPIIT
– Indian MSMEs
– Individual innovators (including researchers & academia)
– Solutions must have relevance to defence or aerospace applications
– Must be capable of developing innovative, indigenous technologies
– Preference for solutions with strong innovation and practical applicability
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 application page of the program provided below
- Review eligibility criteria and submission requirements
- Prepare necessary documents and project details
- Submit your application before the deadline
- Await further communication from the organizers
Frequently Asked Questions
– Startups recognized under DPIIT
– Indian MSMEs
– Individual innovators (including researchers & academia)
– Solutions must have relevance to defence or aerospace applications
– Must be capable of developing innovative, indigenous technologies
– Preference for solutions with strong innovation and practical applicability