DRDO Launches Dare to Dream 5.0 Innovation Contest
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: Defense research was strictly confined to DRDO laboratories and large defense public sector undertakings. NOW: The ecosystem is open to individual innovators (18+), DPIIT-recognized start-ups, and registered MSMEs.
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BEFORE: Innovators with disruptive ideas often lacked the capital and technical mentorship to build working models. NOW: Winners receive fixed cash awards (up to Rs 12 lakh for start-ups, Rs 6 lakh for individuals) alongside DRDO technical guidance.
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BEFORE: Ideas generated in competitions often failed to cross the 'valley of death' to commercialization. NOW: Winning ideas are actively integrated into the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, providing grants and joint Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to realize functional prototypes.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
With Reference ToWith reference to the DRDO 'Dare to Dream' Innovation Contest, consider the following statements: 1. It is an annual initiative launched in memory of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. 2. Only DPIIT-recognized start-ups and MSMEs are eligible to participate, excluding individual innovators. 3. Selected winners are supported by DRDO to realize their ideas into prototypes through the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?