iDEX Grant: defence innovation funding for Indian startups and MSMEs

What you get

• DISC winners: grant support of up to ₹1.5 crore
• ADITI winners: grant support of up to ₹25 crore
• Open Challenge winners: grant support of up to ₹1.5 crore
• Grants are paid through the SPARK Grant Agreement in 6 milestones (10/20/20/20/20/10%), with Nodal Agency guidance and a possible procurement route

Eligibility

• DPIIT-recognised startups, Indian MSMEs under the MSME Act, and individual innovators (academic and research institutions can apply in this category)
• Startups must be majority Indian-owned
• Joint ventures and consortia are not allowed
• There is no minimum TRL, and both software and hardware solutions are accepted

How the iDEX grant works

Credit types and validity

• DISC: grant support up to ₹1.5 crore
• ADITI: grant support up to ₹25 crore
• Open Challenge (year-round, your own problem statement): up to ₹1.5 crore
• SPARK Grant Agreement with Nodal Agency guidance and a possible procurement route

How the credits are applied and when they expire

Winners sign the SPARK Grant Agreement. The grant is then released in 6 milestones of 10/20/20/20/20/10%, not upfront, as the prototype progresses under the Nodal Agency's guidance. A successful prototype can lead on to a possible procurement route.

Approval time

Not published (DISC/ADITI follow each challenge's deadline; iDEX runs a hygiene check, then the Nodal Agency shortlists)

For founders in India

iDEX is only for Indian applicants: DPIIT-recognised startups that are majority Indian-owned, MSMEs registered under the MSME Act, and individual innovators (academic and research institutions apply in the individual category). There is no minimum TRL, and both software and hardware solutions are accepted.

How to apply, step by step

1. Browse the open challenges on idex.gov.in (DISC-14 and ADITI 4.0 launched on 19 March 2026 with 107 problem statements. The Open Challenge is open all year)
2. Log in to idex.gov.in, or create an account if you're applying for the first time
3. Choose the challenge category and problem statement, then click 'Apply Now'
4. Fill in the application form and click 'Submit'. You can edit it until the last date
5. iDEX does a hygiene check and forwards your application to the Nodal Agency, which shortlists. Winners sign the SPARK Grant Agreement

Documents and details to keep ready

• Technical proposal addressing the problem statement (iDEX says applicants should focus on technical detail, and there is no fixed format)
• DPIIT startup recognition or MSME registration, if applying as a company
• For the Open Challenge: your own problem statement plus your proposed solution
• Full requirements are in each challenge's guidelines on idex.gov.in

Common reasons applications are declined

• Joint ventures and consortia are not allowed
• Startups that are not majority Indian-owned
• iDEX notes it may not give feedback on rejected applications

Tips before you apply

• Check each DISC/ADITI challenge's deadline; DISC-14 and ADITI 4.0 opened on 19 March 2026 with 107 problem statements
• If no listed problem fits, use the year-round Open Challenge with your own problem statement
• Focus the proposal on technical detail; iDEX says there is no fixed format
• Get DPIIT recognition or MSME registration in place before applying as a company

Terms to know

• DISC/ADITI calls are open only for a set window, so check each challenge's deadline
• Grants are released against milestones, not upfront
• iDEX does not pre-review proposals and may not give feedback on rejections