**Summary:**
On September 9, 2025, the Innovations for Defence Excellence Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEXDIO), a Ministry of Defence initiative, and EdCIL India Limited, a Mini Ratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Education, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. The MoU aims to foster the development of dual-use, cutting-edge technologies by linking defence expertise with emerging edtech solutions under the new ASPIRE (Accelerating Strategic Progress in Research and Education) program. The objective is to extend iDEX’s innovation model to the civilian sector, addressing critical challenges and leveraging the strengths of both organizations to promote indigenous technological capabilities. iDEX, launched in 2018, has engaged with over 650 startups and MSMEs, received clearances for procurements worth over Rs 3,250 crore for 50 products, and placed procurement orders worth Rs 1,652 crore for 36 products. EdCIL India Limited offers project management, consultancy, edtech, and related services, demonstrating a Compounded Annual Growth Rate of approximately 24% over the last decade (FY 2014-15 to FY 2023-24), with revenues increasing from Rs 74 crore to Rs 655 crore. The MoU was signed by Joint Secretary DIP & Additional CEO, DIO Shri Amit Satija and Joint Secretary TEL, Ministry of Education & CMD, EdCIL Shri Govind Jaiswal.
Key Entities Referenced
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: A government of India initiative focused on promoting self-reliance.
iDEXDIO: Innovations for Defence Excellence Defence Innovation Organisation, an initiative of the Ministry of Defence.
EdCIL India Limited: A Mini Ratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Education.
ASPIRE: Accelerating Strategic Progress in Research and Education program, aimed at developing dual-use technologies.
Ministry of Defence: The Indian government ministry responsible for the defence of India.
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education.
Shri Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.
New Delhi: The capital of India and location of the MoU signing.
Ministry of Defence
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: iDEX-DIO & EdCIL (India) Ltd
ink MoU to develop dual-use tech under new
ASPIRE program
Posted On: 09 SEP 2025 5:03PM by PIB Delhi
Innovations for Defence Excellence - Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) has inked an MoU with
EdCIL (India) Limited to foster the development of dual-use cutting-edge technologies, linking defence
expertise with emerging ed-tech solutions, driven by the new ASPIRE (Accelerating Strategic Progress in
Research and Education) program. iDEX-DIO is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence, while EdCIL
(India) Limited is a Mini Ratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of
Education.
The MoU was signed by Joint Secretary (DIP) & Additional CEO, DIO Shri Amit Satija and Joint
Secretary (TEL), Ministry of Education & CMD, EdCIL Shri Govind Jaiswal in New Delhi on
September 09, 2025. The objective is to extend iDEX’s innovation model to the civilian sector,
targeting critical challenges and leveraging the strengths & expertise of both organisations to
promote innovative technologies that reflect India’s growing emphasis on indigenous capabilities.
The collaboration opens a new chapter in effectively utilising the start-up ecosystem of the country
to develop scalable and impactful innovations.
About iDEX
Launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2018, iDEX has emerged as a game-changer in the
defence ecosystem. In a short span, it has gained momentum, fostering a growing community of start-ups in
the sector. It is currently engaged with over 650 start-ups and MSMEs. So far, clearances for procurements
worth over Rs 3,250 crore have been received from the Nodal Agencies for 50 products, and procurement
orders worth Rs 1,652 crore have been placed for 36 products developed under the iDEX framework,
showcasing its significant contribution to strengthening defence capabilities.
About EdCIL (India) Limited
EdCIL (India) Limited, a profit-making and fast-growing Mini Ratna Category-I CPSE, offers project
management, consultancy, ed-tech, and related services across the education spectrum, both in India and
overseas. Over the last decade (Financial Year 2014-15 to Financial Year 2023-24), it has registered a
remarkable Compounded Annual Growth Rate of about 24%, with revenues growing from Rs 74 crore to Rs
655 crore.
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VK/Savvy
(Release ID: 2164966)