Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches ADITI scheme to promote Defence Innovation

Current Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.

• Here are some key details about the ADITI scheme:
• The scheme is under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence.
• It aims to provide start-ups with grants worth up to Rs 25 crore for defence technology research, development, and innovation.
• The ADITI scheme has a budgetary support of Rs.750 Crore for the period from FY 2023-2024 to FY 2025-2026.
• It aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies in the proposed timeframe.
• It also envisages creating 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.
• The scheme is an endeavour by the DDP to support the development and acceleration of innovation in critical and strategic technologies which are in the nascent stage of research & development in the country.
• It was launched during DefConnect 2024 in New Delhi on March 04, 2024.

Question:

Q.1 What is the budgetary support of the ADITI scheme for the period from FY 2023-2024 to FY 2025-2026?
a. Rs.500 Crore
b. Rs.600 Crore
c. Rs.750 Crore
d. Rs.1000 Crore