Defence procurement workshop for MSMEs, startups on June 11-12 in New Delhi
Synopsis
India's defence establishment is opening its procurement playbook to MSMEs and startups in a two-day workshop on June 11-12 in New Delhi. From the SRIJAN portal to iDEX prototyping and venture capital linkages, the event is a rare end-to-end briefing — and a signal that Atmanirbharta needs smaller industry players to actually read the manual.
Key Takeaways
A two-day defence procurement workshop for MSMEs and startups is scheduled for 11-12 June in New Delhi .
Jointly organised by HQ IDS Indigenisation Directorate and CENJOWS , under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence .
Day 1 covers the Defence Acquisition Procedure, SRIJAN portal , indigenisation reforms, and intellectual property rights.
Day 2 focuses on iDEX , prototype development, DRDO R&D support, certification, and a venture capitalist panel discussion .
Senior officials including Air Marshal Praveen Keshav Vohra and Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar (Retd) will address participants.
The workshop supports India's broader Atmanirbharta drive to reduce defence import dependence.
A two-day workshop on defence procurement for MSMEs and startups is scheduled for 11-12 June in New Delhi, covering the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, the Technology Perspective Capability Roadmap (TPCR), and testing and certification procedures. The event is aimed at deepening industry participation in India's defence manufacturing ecosystem under the Atmanirbharta initiative.
Organising Bodies and Objectives
The workshop is being jointly organised by the Indigenisation Directorate, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS). According to the Ministry of Defence, the initiative is designed to enhance awareness among smaller industry players and encourage greater engagement with defence procurement channels.
Senior officers and domain experts from HQ IDS, Service Headquarters, the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), iDEX–Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), and other stakeholder bodies will lead interactive sessions with participants.
Inaugural Session and Key Speakers
The inaugural session will feature addresses by Air Marshal Praveen Keshav Vohra, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy Planning & Force Development), and Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar (Retd), Director General of CENJOWS. Their participation signals the strategic importance the defence establishment places on MSME and startup integration.
Day-Wise Agenda
On Day 1 (11 June), sessions will cover the Defence Acquisition Procedure, procurement categories, revenue procurement parameters, indigenisation reforms, the SRIJAN portal, import substitution mapping, and intellectual property rights — areas that industry participants frequently cite as complex entry barriers.
On Day 2 (12 June), the focus shifts to iDEX initiatives, prototype development, testing and evaluation procedures, certification systems, user trials, environmental testing, and the role of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in R&D and technology readiness levels. A dedicated session on TPCR and a panel discussion with venture capitalists are also on the agenda.
Broader Significance for Atmanirbharta
This comes amid sustained government efforts to reduce India's defence import dependence and build a robust domestic industrial base. MSMEs and startups have increasingly been positioned as critical contributors to this goal, yet many report limited familiarity with procurement procedures and certification pathways. The Ministry of Defence stated that the workshop is structured to address these practical gaps through interactive discussions and Q&A sessions.
The initiative is expected to further strengthen collaboration between the armed forces and Indian industry, with the next steps likely including follow-up engagement through the iDEX and SRIJAN platforms.
Point of View
But a two-day session cannot substitute for structural simplification of India's notoriously layered defence procurement process. MSMEs and startups consistently cite not a lack of awareness but a lack of accessible, predictable pathways — long trial timelines, opaque certification requirements, and payment delays that larger primes can absorb but smaller firms cannot. The inclusion of a venture capitalist panel is a notable addition, acknowledging that defence innovation needs private capital, not just government contracts. Whether this translates into measurable MSME order wins or remains a periodic awareness exercise will depend on what follow-through mechanisms HQ IDS and iDEX put in place after the room empties.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the defence procurement workshop for MSMEs and startups?
It is a two-day event organised by HQ IDS and CENJOWS, scheduled for 11-12 June in New Delhi, covering defence acquisition procedures, the iDEX framework, TPCR, and testing and certification processes. The workshop is designed to help MSMEs and startups navigate India's defence procurement ecosystem.
Who is organising the June 11-12 defence workshop?
The workshop is jointly organised by the Indigenisation Directorate, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), with the Ministry of Defence as the nodal authority.
What is the iDEX framework discussed at the workshop?
iDEX, or Innovations for Defence Excellence, is a government initiative under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) that funds and supports startups and MSMEs to develop defence technology prototypes. The workshop will cover how companies can participate in iDEX challenges and access prototype development support.
What is the SRIJAN portal and why is it relevant for MSMEs?
The SRIJAN portal is a government platform that maps defence import items eligible for domestic substitution, allowing Indian industry to identify and bid for indigenisation opportunities. The workshop will explain how MSMEs can use the portal to find procurement openings.
How does this workshop connect to India's Atmanirbharta goal?
Atmanirbharta in defence seeks to reduce India's reliance on imported military equipment by building a domestic industrial base. MSMEs and startups are central to this vision, and the workshop is aimed at equipping them with the procedural knowledge needed to participate effectively in defence contracts and innovation programmes.
