The Defence India Startup Challenge was launched on August 4, 2018 by Raksha Mantri, Nirmala Sitharaman and calls for proposals to address specific technological needs of the Indian defence establishment. The nodal organisation is Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) with support from Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, for the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme. Applicants (startups/MSMEs and individuals) showing capability, intent and promise to be able to produce functional prototypes or to productise existing technologies in selected areas, will be awarded up to 1.5 crore, strictly on a milestone basis in the form of grant/equity/debt/other relevant structures along with incubation and mentoring support. The selected areas include ‘Individual Protection System with built-in sensors’, ‘See Through Armour’, ‘UAVs’, ‘Unmanned Surface and Underwater Vehicles’, thrown open for prospective solutions to be provided by the Indian start up eco-system. The last date for submission of applications to the DISC has been extended till October 31, 2018.