The Ministry of Defence concluded a two-day seminar titled "Demystifying Defence Procurement, iDEX, TPCR and Testing Procedures for MSMEs and Start-ups" in New Delhi on June 12, 2026. The event was jointly conducted by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) as part of efforts to strengthen industry participation in defence acquisition and innovation ecosystem.
The seminar brought together over 150 start-ups and MSMEs, along with 10 venture capitalists and defence industry stakeholders, facilitating knowledge exchange and structured engagement on procurement procedures and indigenization pathways. Sessions provided comprehensive coverage of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), iDEX framework, indigenization initiatives, Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR), certification and user trial processes.
Participants gained enhanced clarity on end-to-end procurement cycles, prototype development pathways, Technology Readiness Levels, and mechanisms for collaboration with defence organizations. The event enabled direct interaction between industry participants and subject matter experts from key defence institutions, fostering deeper understanding of regulatory, technical and procedural frameworks through structured question-and-answer engagements.
Key outcomes included the consolidation of procedural knowledge into a structured framework tailored for MSMEs and start-ups, alongside strengthened linkages within the defence innovation ecosystem. Deliberations highlighted opportunities for import substitution, indigenous development and expanded industry participation in capability development initiatives. The workshop concluded with emphasis on advancing self-reliance in defence manufacturing through sustained industry engagement, streamlined processes and deeper integration of start-ups and MSMEs into national defence innovation architecture.