How many iDEX defence start-up contracts have been signed?

The Defence Minister's speech separates contracts signed under iDEX (548) from procurement contracts (45, worth nearly Rs 2,326 crore). Only part of the iDEX contracts lead to a purchase.

The figures side by side

How we got this number

1. Open the PIB release on the National Defence Industries Conclave 2026 (19 March 2026) and read the Defence Minister's statement on iDEX.
2. Take the "as of February 2026" counts: start-ups and innovators joined, contracts signed, challenges launched.
3. Read the next sentences for how many prototypes were cleared for procurement and how many procurement contracts were signed, and keep them apart from the 548.

What this number does not tell you

• The figures come from a minister's speech reported by PIB, not from a data table. They are rounded ("approximately 676", "around Rs 3,853 crore", "nearly Rs 2,326 crore").
• A contract signed under iDEX is not a purchase. The 45 procurement contracts are the ones where the forces bought something; the page gives both counts and does not add them.
• iDEX also runs ADITI, a related scheme. The release mentions it but gives no separate count, so none is given here.
• The iDEX website's own counter was not used: it prints applications, shortlisted and grant totals without a date or a sentence, so those figures cannot be dated.

Sources

1. Ministry of Defence via PIB: Raksha Mantri at National Defence Industries Conclave 2026, 19 March 2026As of February 2026, approximately 676 start-ups, MSMEs, and individual innovators have joined the defence innovation ecosystem since the inception of iDEX in 2018. 548 contracts have been signed; and 566 challenges launched. Of these, 58 prototypes have received clearance for procurement, valued at around Rs 3,853 crore. Furthermore, 45 procurement contracts have already been signed, worth nearly Rs 2,326 crore.

Questions people ask

How many contracts has iDEX signed?

548 contracts as of February 2026, with about 676 start-ups, MSMEs and individual innovators joining since 2018, per the PIB release of 19 March 2026.

How many iDEX products has the military bought?

The release says 58 prototypes received clearance for procurement, valued at around Rs 3,853 crore, and 45 procurement contracts had been signed, worth nearly Rs 2,326 crore.

How many challenges has iDEX launched?

566 challenges as of February 2026, per the same release.

Read next

• DPIIT-recognised start-ups
• Fund of Funds for Startups
• Start-ups by state
• How many SaaS companies are there in India?
• How many startups are there in India?
• How many unicorns does India have?
• Which Indian states have the most startups?
• The exact prompt: copy-paste prompts for Indian PMs and founders
• All India numbers

This figure is from PIB's own release or a report quoting it. We recheck it half-yearly (the Defence Minister updates iDEX counts at conclaves and in Parliament; no fixed date). If you have a newer or better source, send it to us.