Context:
Recently, the Union Raksha Rajya Mantri informed Lok Sabha that 16 defence technologies have been successfully developed/realised under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme: Empowering Indigenous Defence Technologies
Initiative Overview:
- The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is a flagship program led by the Ministry of Defence and executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Objectives:
- Grant in Aid:
- Provide financial support to Indian industries, including MSMEs and Start-ups, as well as academic and scientific institutions.
- Focus on the development of Defence and dual-use technologies currently unavailable in the Indian defence industry.
- Engagement with Private Industries:
- Cultivate a culture of Design & Development of Military Technology, especially in private industries, with a focus on MSMEs and Start-ups.
- Niche Technologies:
- Emphasize Research, Design & Development of niche technologies, particularly those being developed for the first time in the country.
- Collaborative Ecosystem:
- Create a collaborative platform involving the Armed Forces, research organizations, academia, qualifying/certifying agencies, and private sector entities.
- Prototype Development:
- Support futuristic technologies by providing funding for Proof of Concept, transforming them into prototypes.
Funding Support:
- Grant Provision:
- Funding through grants to the industry.
- Consideration of project costs up to INR 10 Cr for funding, up to a maximum of 90% of the total project cost.
- Collaboration Dynamics:
- Industries allowed to collaborate with academia or research institutions.
- Academic involvement capped at 40% of the total project cost.
Project Duration:
- Timeframe:
- Maximum development period set at two years.
