ADITI Scheme iDEX (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX)
The ADITI framework moves quickly, with active challenge iterations continuing through 2026 to focus on advanced goals like quantum tech and autonomous systems. Mentioning current active iterations or the current year (2026) in your introductory paragraph signals to search engines that your deep-tech analysis is fresh and actively updated, giving you a competitive edge over static policy repository files.
Quick Facts
Purpose: To develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies where the country does not have existing capabilities
Components: Grant-in-Aid to ADITI winners and to Partner Incubators (PIs)
Technologies covered:
Technologies required for national security and where the country does not have existing capabilities.
Tenure: FY 2023-2024 to FY 2025-2026
Objective
Facilitate rapid development of strategically critical technologies which are sensitive and innovative.
Indigenisation of critical technologies and reduction of dependencies on foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
Spiral development within ADITI scheme and
spiral development of products developed under
existing iDEX scheme.
Build “Technology Watch Tool” and conduct technology foresight workshops.
Salient Features :
ADITI challenges:
Support for upto two winners in each ADITI challenge has provisioned.
An applicant can awarded only one ADITI challenge at a time.
ADITI scheme shall subsume iDEX Prime category of challenges (refer to the infographic in the next page) launched after the date of approval of ADITI Scheme.
ADITI Scheme (iDEX) Partner Incubators (PIs): Network of about 10 PIs
(with specialized expertise) will developed over the period of the scheme and they will provide specialised support and business mentorship.
ADITI Scheme (iDEX) Financial support:
Grant-in-Aid to ADITI winners: Grant up to 50% of the product development budget with a cap of Rs. 25 Crore per winner has considered for the contracts to signed.
ADITI Scheme (iDEX) Grant-in-Aid to Partner Incubators (PIs):
The project consists of 6 milestones, with a payment limit of Rs. 1,50,000 for each milestone.
This payment is estimated to provided to the PIs based on facilitation/completion of each milestone of their associated challenge winner.
Additionally,
activity wise amount on requirement basis will be given to PIs for
Building pipeline for Defence needs by locating startups/MSMEs.
Facilitating technical/financial due diligence, incubation and mentorship support through academia, industry and R&D to the chal lenge winners on milestone basis.
Strengthening the innovation ecosystem by undertaking initiatives to reach out, spread awareness, among others.
ADITI Scheme (iDEX) Eligibility for ADITI Challenge
Startups, as defined and recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Any Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act 1956/2013, primarily an MSME as defined in the MSME Act, 2006.
Individual innovators (research & academic institutions can use this category to apply) registered as Startup/MSME
Procedure for selection for ADITI Challenge
The framework for ADITI will call for proposals through challenges launched to address specific technological needs of the Indian Defence Establishments.
Selection will be through the High-Power Selection Committee (HPSC) led by challenge owner, subject matter experts, representatives from Academia/ Industry and other concerned stakeholders
Eligibility for availing grants as iDEX Partner Incubators (PIs)
Legal status:
The incubator should registered in India as a legal entity in public, private or public-partnership mode, and should have received/ ongoing grant support from Government of India.
Experience:
The incubator must have operated for at least 5 years and incubated or funded a minimum of 10 defense-related startups.
It should have incubated at least 5 startups in the past 3 years that are running as ‘a going concern’ as of the date of ‘call for application’ by DIO.
It must have managed at least 2 sector-focused accelerator programs (preferably in Deep Tech, Defense, AI/ML, Cyber, etc.) in the last 5 years.
Resource:
It should have at least 25 mentors for startups affiliated with it, at least 5 of whom should be SMEs in defence or aerospace domain; and atleast 2 investment experts/investors.
Networking:
The PIs should have adequate external support system viz. collaboration with industry, academia, and Government institutions to support ADITI winners.
Monitoring:
The grant utilization and progress will monitored by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) through PIs.
DIO is a Company was incorporated under section 8 of the Companies Act 2013. Accounts of DIO are subject to CAG audit.
DIO is formed jointly by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
Evaluation of the scheme:
Evaluation by a third party would be arranged in FY 2025-26 before fresh appraisal/revision for continuation.
Technology Watch Tool:
To be developed to bridge the gap between the expectations and requirements of the modern Armed Forces and the capabilities of the defence innovation ecosystem.
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