Technology Development Fund Scheme 2026: Up to ₹50 Crore Grant Support

At a glance

About the scheme

The Technology Development Fund is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence, executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Make in India programme. It promotes indigenous innovation and self-reliance by funding Indian industries, MSMEs, and DPIIT-recognised startups to design and manufacture cutting-edge defence applications. The scheme supports prototype development, import substitution, and technological upgrades, allowing domestic industry to collaborate with academia and research institutions to meet the technological needs of the Tri-Services.

Benefits

• Project cost funding support of up to ₹50,00,00,000.
• Grant-in-aid covers up to 90% of the total project expenditure.
• Maximum development period of up to four years.
• Financial assistance for prototype creation, trials, and technology readiness upgrades from TRL 3 onwards.
• Incubators associated with nascent startups can receive funding support of up to 20%.
• Flexibility to collaborate with academia, allowing up to 40% academic contribution to the total project effort.
• Disbursement of funds linked to milestone achievement, released either in advance against a bank guarantee or as reimbursement.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Must be a public limited company, private limited company, partnership firm, LLP, one-person company, or sole proprietorship registered in India, especially MSMEs and startups.
• Startups must be recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• To qualify as a nascent startup, the entity must be incorporated for less than 3 years from the application date and incubated at a Central or State government assisted incubator.
• At least 51% shareholding must be owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.
• Applicant must not have received grants or grants-in-aid from any government scheme for a similar technology.

Who cannot apply

• Enterprises with more than 49% foreign investment are not eligible.
• Entities that have already received government grants for identical technologies cannot apply.
• Non-profit research institutions cannot apply independently without an Indian industry lead bidder.

Documents required

• Detailed Project Update Report
• Utilization Certificate and Statement of Expenses (UC & SE)
• Certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official DRDO TDF portal at tdf.drdo.gov.in.
2. 2Click on Proceed to Login and select the Register option.
3. 3Provide contact details, organisation name, applicant category, and focus area.
4. 4Select the self-declaration box confirming Indian ownership of at least 51% and accept terms and conditions.
5. 5Complete the captcha verification and click on Register to create your account.
6. 6Log in using your registered email and password to submit the project application details.

Frequently asked questions