Overview
- The two-day forum in New Delhi ended on September 23 with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announcing ten project proposals to be taken up for R&D.
- Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the event and called for integrated technological solutions and a whole-of-nation push involving academia, startups, and industry.
- A tri-service-reviewed exhibition featured more than 40 academic innovations assessed for potential military applications.
- Dozens of one-on-one sessions matched researchers with Service representatives for proposal pitches and guidance, and MoUs were signed with institutions including IIT Madras, Rashtriya Raksha University, Ajeenkya DY Patil University, and the NRDC.
- Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi attended the closing day, as officials linked the initiative to 2025 reform efforts to accelerate indigenous capability and joint warfighting readiness.