ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12

09.10.2024

ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12

Why in the news?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled two key initiatives: ADITI 2.0 and the 12th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 12) at DefConnect 4.0.

About ADITI 2.0:

• Features 19 challenges focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, military communication, anti-drone systems, and adaptive camouflage.
• Winners are eligible for grants up to Rs 25 crore to advance defence critical technologies.

12th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 12):

• Introduces 41 challenges in areas like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and networking.
• Includes the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative, targeting medical technology advancements for the Armed Forces.
• Winners can receive grants up to Rs 1.5 crore.
• This initiative is designed to support start-ups, MSMEs, and innovators in developing prototypes and commercializing defense products.

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative

• It was launched in 2018 as part of the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) under the Ministry of Defence.
• Objective: To create an ecosystem that encourages innovation, research, and development in defense and aerospace technologies. It aims to involve start-ups, MSMEs, and individual innovators in defense modernization efforts.

Support Provided:

• Funding: Grants and financial assistance for prototype development and commercialization.
• Mentorship: Incubation support and guidance from defense experts.
• Testing and Validation: Facilitating access to defense facilities and labs for testing and validation of developed technologies.

About ADITI Scheme

• Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) is a scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defense technologies.
•  It aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies in the proposed timeframe.
• Eligibility: Under this scheme start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for their research, development, and innovation endeavours in defense technology.
• Time period: This scheme worth Rs 750 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
• It falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of the Department of Defence Production ,Ministry of Defence.
• It also envisages to create a ‘Technology Watch Tool’ to bridge the gap between the expectations and requirements of the modern Armed Forces and the capabilities of the defence innovation ecosystem.
• In the first edition of ADITI, 17 challenges – Indian Army (3), Indian Navy (5), Indian Air Force (5) and Defence Space Agency (4) - have been launched.
• To motivate young innovators, iDEX was expanded to iDEX Prime, with the assistance increasing from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 10 crore.
• The idea behind the schemes/initiatives such as ADITI, iDEX, iDEX Prime is to also transform India into a knowledge society.
• The scheme will nurture the innovation of youth, and help the country leap forward in the field of technology.

                                                                                      Source: PIB

Consider the following statements with respect to ADITI Scheme

1.It aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic defense technologies.

2.It falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of Department of Defence Production (DDP).

3.It is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence.

How many of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

A) Only one

B)  Only two

C)  All Three

D)  None of the above

Answer : C