Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme
Updated: 17 Oct 2025
Ministry:
Ministry of Defence
Beneficiary:
Small Traders and MSMEs, Startups
Overview
The scheme, run by DRDO under Make in India, funds industries, MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions to develop indigenous defence and dual-use technologies. It bridges armed forces, research, and private sector, supporting proof-of-concept technologies to prototype stage.
- It is a flagship programme executed by DRDO under 'Make in India' initiative.
- Objectives
- To provide Grant in Aid to Indian industries, including MSMEs and Start-ups, as well as academic and scientific institutions for the development of Defence and dual use technologies that are currently not available with the Indian defence Industry.
- To create a bridge amongst the Armed Forces, research organizations, academia and qualifying/certifying agencies with private sector entities.
- To support the futuristic technologies having a Proof of Concept and converting them into prototype.
- Corpus: Rs. 100 Cr
- The Ministry of Defence has approved Fund Enhancement under TDF Scheme from ₹10 crore to ₹50 crore per project.