(File pic)The government on Monday extended the deadline for submission of applications to the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) to October 31. Earlier, the last date for submitting the application form was September 30. The Defence India Startup Challenge was launched by Defence Innovation Organization with support from Department of Defence Production and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog for the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme. On August 4, Sitharaman launched the challenge and called for proposals to address specific technological needs of the Indian defence establishment. The ministry had thrown up 11 challenges for startups to come up with potential solutions for technological needs of the defence establishment and said it would ensure their ideas and prototypes will get a market. These challenges are individual protection system with built-in sensors, see-through armour, carbon fibre winding, active protection system, secure hardware-based offline encrypt or device for graded security, development of 4G/LTE based tactical local area network. It also includes development of advanced technology based desalination system and bilge oily water separation system, artificial intelligence in logistics and SCM, remotely piloted airborne vehicles, laser weaponry and unmanned surface and underwater vehicles.
