iDEX Coffee Table Book: Shared Horizons of Innovation

The Book is a curated compilation capturing the journey of India’s flagship defence innovation initiative – iDEX.

It presents the spirit of creativity and problem-solving that startups, MSMEs, academia, and individual innovators have brought into the national defence & security landscape.

Expanding on previous edition of iDEX Coffee Table Book, released by Raksha Mantri during AeroIndia 2025, this volume shines a spotlight on innovations/technologies that not only address critical requirements of the Armed Forces but also have the potential for wider industrial/commercial applications which other stakeholders can adopt as suitable for their existing and emerging needs.

The release of the book aligns with the government’s push for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing, i.e., self-reliance. By documenting innovations and linking those to national efforts, it serves both as a showcase and a motivation tool for future innovators. It works alongside other initiatives like new portals (e.g., Defence Exim Portal, Srijan DEEP) to strengthen the entire ecosystem.

i. Revamped Defence Exim portal

• The portal enables end-to-end application processing, automated company verification, simplified registration, OGEL filing, real-time tracking, and secure payment integration.
• Built in line with updated SOPs and compliance features under the Security Manual for Licensed Defence Industries (SMLDI), it enhances transparency, efficiency, and regulatory adherence, while supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India goals, positioning India as a global hub for defence manufacturing and exports.

ii. Srijan DEEP: Defence Establishment and Entrepreneurs Platform

The SRIJAN DEEP Portal (Defence Establishment and Entrepreneurs Platform), launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), serves as a comprehensive digital interface connecting defence establishments with industries, start-ups, MSMEs, and suppliers across India.

•  It is an upgraded and expanded version of the earlier SRIJAN Portal (2020), which primarily listed defence items for indigenisation. The new DEEP version integrates industry databases, innovation capabilities, and manufacturing resources to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence production under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• The portal acts as a digital directory enabling industry associations to easily identify potential partners and collaborators, thereby facilitating faster decision-making, reduced paperwork, and easier identification of domestic capabilities.
• It functions as a comprehensive database of manufacturers, MSMEs, start-ups, and suppliers, providing access to a wider industry base and allowing for resource pooling during emergencies and better alignment of industry competencies with the needs of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
• Additionally, it aims to enhance industry participation in exhibitions, expand business opportunities, and empower associations to advocate policies, disseminate information, and promote innovation-driven collaboration across the defence ecosystem.