Defence Ministry allocates ₹500 cr for deep-tech R&D under TDF scheme

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved an additional grant of ₹500 crore to support deep-tech and cutting-edge projects as distinct verticals under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme.

Sharing this information in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said that the process of selecting and identifying deep-tech projects has already begun.

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“Currently, nine projects have been launched under this initiative by TDF, and nine industries are engaged in four projects sanctioned through DRDO Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) under the Grants-in-Aid scheme of DRDO,” he stated.

According to the minister, these projects span research areas such as powder metallurgy, high microwave sources and devices, advanced ballistics, smart and intelligent textile technology, photonic technologies, aerospace systems and materials, micro and nano systems science and technology, artificial intelligence and robotics, quantum technology, naval systems and naval technologies, high-power continuous wave (CW) laser sources, additive manufacturing, advanced materials and processing, aero engines, desert warfare technologies, AI for information and war-gaming technologies, advanced nano materials, and semiconductor-based sensors.

He also shared the names of institutions involved in collaborative work. “DRDO has a Long-Term Directed Research Policy (LTDRP) for engaging academia. Projects are monitored at three stages at regular intervals throughout the year. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) evaluates new project proposals and monitors technical progress regularly,” he added.

The Research Advisory Board (RAB) reviews new projects recommended by the TEC, monitors sanctioned projects for progress, and addresses techno-managerial issues of the Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and their projects. The Governing Council approves projects, oversees the overall functioning of the centres, and monitors those sanctioned through them.

The existing centres are in the process of stabilizing and maturing to deliver outcome-driven research. Considerable efforts are being made to integrate these centres with industry and academic collaborative research.

The new centres, commissioned in 2022, are still in the process of streamlining their research focus toward defence-oriented practical outcomes. In light of this, there are currently no immediate plans to establish additional DRDO Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs).

However, to expand collaborative research, projects can be pursued through any of the existing DIA-CoEs. Faculty from any academic institute may submit concept notes or research proposals aligned with DRDO’s R&D interest areas to the established DIA-CoEs, the minister concluded.