Introduction & Description

The ADITI Scheme, which is a sub-scheme within iDEX with an outlay of Rs 750 crore covering the period of 3 years from 2023–2024 to 2025–2026 was launched by Hon’ble Defence Minister during DefConnect 2024 on 4th March 2024. The scheme has been launched to  encourage innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies. Technologies deemed ‘Critical and Strategic’ encompass Satellite communication applications, advanced cyber technology, autonomous weapons, cyber weapons, nuclear technologies, advancement in semiconductor technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technologies (QT), advanced underwater surveillance systems and others.Critical and strategic technologies will increasingly drive innovation and modernisation efforts of the Indian Armed Forces to bolster combat potential and capacity building. The ADITI Scheme aims to foster the development of critical and advanced technologies essential for national security, filling gaps where existing capabilities are lacking.

The scheme has been launched because during the stakeholder interactions, including with the Armed Forces, start-ups, MSMEs, and academic incubators, during the Chintan Shivir organised by Ministry of Defence in July 2023, the need for increased funding for projects concerning critical and strategic technologies was underscored.

The scheme offers grants of up to 50 per cent of the Product Development Budget (PDB) with a maximum limit of Rs 25 crore, potentially leading to a PDB of Rs 50 crore or more. The scheme is intended to be monitored by the team with the DIO Board chaired by Secretary (DP) through partner incubators to ensure regular guidance and adequate resources for oversight.

Objectives

The objective of the scheme is to accelerate the development of approximately 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies by 2026. These 30 technologies will primarily serve defence applications with export potential.

Secondly, it aims to foster collaboration between start-ups, MSMEs and established industry players to bring these technologies to fruition, and reduce dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The ADITI Scheme leverages the existing iDEX Scheme to streamline the development process.

The Scheme endeavours to create a ‘Technology Watch Tool’, as a mechanism to close the capability gap in the armed forces, and to strengthen the country’s defence innovation ecosystem.

The purpose of the ‘Technology Watch Tool’ is to bridge the gap between modern armed forces’ needs and defence innovation ecosystem capabilities, facilitating strategic policy formation and milestone monitoring. The technology watch tool will also ensure no overlap in technologies through technology foresight workshops.

A network of approximately 10 Partner Incubators is proposed to be established to offer specialised support to bolster India’s self-defence capabilities and defence exports by fostering the creation of innovative technologies and products.

Eligibility:

• Startups, as defined and recognized by Department of Industrial Policy Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• Any Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act 1956/2013,primarily a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) as defined in the MSME Act, 2006.
• Individual innovators are also encouraged to apply (research & academic institutions can use this category to apply), however they are supposed to form a Start-up before signing the Grant Agreement.