India Launches ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12

Launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at DefConnect 4.0 in New Delhi, ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12 are the newest programmes under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) umbrella to accelerate cutting‑edge, made‑in‑India defence technologies and deepen private-sector participation.

What Was Announced?

• ADITI 2.0 (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX)

  • 19 high-end technology challenges.

  • Focus on AI, Quantum Technology, secure military communications, anti-drone systems, and more.

  • Grant support up to ₹25 crore for successful solutions to move from prototype to deployment.

• DISC 12 (12th Defence India Startup Challenge)

  • 41 new technology challenges.

  • Priority areas: UAVs, AI, networking & communications, plus the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) track for Armed Forces healthcare.

  • Grant support up to ₹1.5 crore for the best ideas at an early stage.

Why This Matters?

India aims to shift from “imitative” to truly “innovative” defence technologies, strengthen Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), and ensure faster delivery of future-ready solutions to the Armed Forces. These initiatives also expand opportunities for start-ups and MSMEs, making defence R&D more inclusive, agile, and industry-driven.

IDEX: The Engine Behind the Push

The iDEX initiative, working closely with Atal Innovation Mission, has become the core platform for scouting, funding, and scaling defence-tech start-ups.

Key iDEX achievements so far:

• 9,000+ applications reviewed

• 450+ start-ups/MSMEs partnered

• 26 products developed, with procurement orders worth ₹1,000+ crore already placed

• Acceptance of Necessity & RFPs worth ₹2,380+ crore issued for 37 products

• ADITI (overall) is targeting 30+ critical and strategic technologies

These numbers demonstrate a maturing pipeline from ideas to fieldable products, proving that India’s start-up ecosystem can deliver mission-critical defence tech.

Funding & Incubation Support

To ensure promising solutions don’t stall due to capital gaps, the government has also enabled:

• SIDBI iDEX Partner Incubator Fund: ₹50 crore allocated to 10 top incubators to handhold iDEX winners and push their technologies to the next level.

Strategic Focus Areas

Both ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12 prioritise technologies that can deliver operational edge, resilience, and indigenous capability:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• Quantum Technologies

• Secure military communications & networking

• Counter–UAS / Anti-drone systems

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

• Medical technologies for Armed Forces (MIRA)

• Space, ISR, and advanced munitions systems

Public–Private Synergy Since 2014

The government has consistently expanded private-sector participation in defence since 2014, building a framework where start-ups, MSMEs, academia, and incubators collaborate with the military to solve real operational problems—quickly and cost-effectively.

Recognition & Momentum

At DefConnect 4.0, ADITI 1.0 winners were felicitated, and top iDEX innovations were showcased across domains like munitions, ISR, communications, and space tech—signalling a robust bench of deployable, indigenous capabilities.

The Bottom Line

ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12 are not just grant schemes—they are mission-driven catalysts to make India a global hub for defence innovation. With large ticket funding (up to ₹25 crore), structured challenges, and a clear procurement path, India is building a self-reliant, innovation-first defence ecosystem—from problem definition to product induction.

Final Thoughts

The launch of ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12 marks a bold step in India’s mission to achieve self-reliance in defence technologies. By focusing on 19 advanced technology challenges and 41 start-up-driven innovations, these initiatives are setting a strong foundation for future-ready solutions. With funding support of up to ₹25 crore, start-ups and MSMEs now have unprecedented opportunities to bring AI, quantum technologies, UAVs, and anti-drone systems to the forefront of national defence.

The active involvement of iDEX and SIDBI incubators ensures that ideas don’t just stay on paper but evolve into deployable, cutting-edge products. This shift from imitative to innovative technologies not only strengthens India’s security but also positions the country as a global defence innovation hub.

As these initiatives expand, they will play a critical role in creating a vibrant ecosystem of collaboration between government, industry, and start-ups, fueling both technological excellence and economic growth.