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Government New Delhi, Delhi

Ministry of Defence

Union defence ministry running iDEX grant tracks, SPARK, iDEX Prime, and ADITI, worth Rs. 1.5 crore to Rs. 25 crore for defence startups.

300+ startups supported 1 program listed

About Ministry of Defence

India's Ministry of Defence pursues defence innovation mainly through Innovations for Defence Excellence, the iDEX framework launched in 2018 and run under the Defence Innovation Organisation. iDEX exists to spark innovation in defence and aerospace by drawing in MSMEs, startups, individual innovators, research institutes, and academia.

Funding is staged by how mature a technology is. The SPARK track, short for Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart, puts up to Rs. 1.5 crore behind prototype work; iDEX Prime lifts that to as much as Rs. 10 crore for higher-readiness innovations; and ADITI, Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX, reaches up to Rs. 25 crore for critical defence technologies. Backing the whole effort is an approved outlay of Rs. 498.78 crore over five years, with a target of 300 startups and 20 partner incubators.

DPIIT-recognised startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators building defence and aerospace technologies, from UAVs and autonomous systems to cybersecurity, communications, and advanced materials, gain the most. It is online at idex.gov.in.

Who they work with

Stages
Growth
Sectors
Space, Drones & Defence AI, SaaS & Enterprise Manufacturing & Industrial

Programs by Ministry of Defence 1

Closed Grant
FundingSupport amount varies
Equity-free

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.

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Frequently asked questions

What funding programs does Ministry of Defence run?

Ministry of Defence currently has 1 program listed in this directory, including Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). Each program page covers the funding amount, eligibility and application process.

Is Ministry of Defence a government organisation?

Yes. Ministry of Defence is listed under the government category. Its programs follow official government processes, and applications are submitted through official channels in your own name.

How do I evaluate whether a Ministry of Defence program fits my startup?

Start with the stages and sectors shown on this profile, then open the program pages for eligibility conditions and document checklists. If you want a structured view, send an enquiry below and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit and readiness.

Do I apply to these programs through IncorpX?

No. Applications are always submitted in your own name with the respective program authority. IncorpX is independent of Ministry of Defence and provides assistance for application preparation, document organisation and prerequisite registrations such as incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST.

Enquire about Ministry of Defence

Tell us what you are building and which Ministry of Defence program you are evaluating. An IncorpX advisor will help you assess fit and get application-ready.

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Your enquiry goes to the IncorpX advisory team, who will help you evaluate fit and prepare. We are independent of Ministry of Defence and never contact organisations on your behalf.

Important disclaimer

IncorpX is a private platform operated by a private company. It is not a government department, agency or official portal, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government body or of any organisation, incubator, accelerator, investor or partner listed in this directory. All program names, logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification only.

This directory is compiled from publicly available official sources and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Funding amounts, eligibility criteria, required documents, deadlines and availability are determined by each program authority and change with every cycle, so the details shown here may be incomplete or out of date. Always confirm the current terms on the official program source before you apply or take any decision.

IncorpX charges no fee for the information in this directory and does not collect, process, lodge or submit any application on your behalf. Applications are made by you, in your own name, directly with the respective program authority. IncorpX provides assistance only for application preparation and for related registrations such as company incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME (Udyam) and GST. Eligibility, approval, disbursement and selection rest solely with the respective program authority, and IncorpX makes no representation or guarantee as to any outcome.

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