PIB Summary- 13th June, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

What is iDEX?

• iDEX was launched in 2018 to achieve self-reliance and foster innovation and technology development in the field of Defence and Aerospace by engaging MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, Research and Development institutes, academia, etc.
• iDEX will also provide them with grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D which has good potential for future adoption for Indian defence and aerospace needs.
• It was promulgated by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
• Objectives of iDEX:
  • Facilitate rapid development of new, indigenized, and innovative technologies for the Indian defence and aerospace sector, to meet needs for these sectors in shorter timelines.
  • Create a culture of engagement with innovative start-ups, to encourage co-creation for defence and aerospace sectors.
  • Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the defence and aerospace sectors.
• iDEX will be funded and managed by a ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’ which has been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose, by the two founder members i.e. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) – HAL & BEL.
• iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high-level policy guidance to iDEX.

Project O₂ for India

• ‘Project O₂ for India’ of the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, is to enable stakeholders working to augment the country’s ability to meet this rise in demand for medical oxygen in the wake of the second wave of the covid pandemic.
• Under Project O₂ for India, a National Consortium of Oxygen is enabling the national level supply of critical raw materials such as zeolites, setting up of small oxygen plants, manufacturing compressors, final products, i.e., oxygen plants, concentrators, and ventilators.
• The consortium is not only looking forward to providing immediate to short-term relief but also working to strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem for long-term preparedness.
• The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser is involved in an effort aimed at raising COVID-19 response funds from private sector companies, donor organizations, and individuals to strengthen India’s fight against COVID-19.
• These funds will be used for producing medical oxygen for various health facilities in India through an initiative called ‘Project O₂’.
• The project caters to meeting the rising demand for medical oxygen by supporting government hospitals to procure oxygen and related high priority equipment from approved manufacturers and start-ups, supporting manufacturers and start-ups to scale up capacity, addressing logistics challenges, enabling supplies to extended/make-shift hospitals and strengthening R&D and innovation for future pandemics.