iDEX

Recently, the Defence Minister has approved the budgetary support of Rs. 498.8 crore to Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) challenge under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) for the next five years.
Earlier, the Defence Minister released an E-booklet titled ‘20 Reforms in 2020’ highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020

Important points:

The iDEX initiative was launched by the Prime Minister in April 2018.
It aims to achieve self – reliance and foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.
iDEX is funded and managed by the DIO, and functions as the executive arm of DIO.
DIO is a ‘not for profit’ company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
Its two founding members are Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) – Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). HAL and BEL are navratna companies
It will provide the engaging industries with funding and other support to carry out Research & Development.
Self-reliance in manufacturing of defence equipment is a crucial factor for maintaining India’s strategic autonomy.
India’s arms imports fell 33% between 2011-15 and 2016-20, said a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
iDEX has partnered with leading incubators in the country to provide hand holding, technical support and guidance to the winners of iDEX challenges.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT

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