New Delhi. In a significant move from the past and giving a major boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in Defence and Aerospace sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the proposal to allow Private Sector industry compete with Ordnance Factories and Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs) for the prestigious Defence Minister’s  Awards for Excellence.

Earlier, it was only Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) Units and DPSUs which could compete for these Annual  Defence Minister Awards and the Private Sector industry was not eligible for any national level award competition.

The revised format includes awards in Institutional and Individual and Team category for Excellence in Technological Breakthroughs, Indigenization and Import Substitution and Excellence in Exports. Separate sub-categories for Large, Medium, Small and Start-Up segments have been included to provide a level playing field for competition. The amount of Cash Award has also been significantly increased in case of Individual and Team Awards.

The nominations for awards will be invited on-line and a web portal will be developed for uploading and management of applications. The selection process will include assessment by an Expert Committee and Jury of eminent experts. A separate cell for handling all activities pertaining to  the Awards will be opened under Director General of Quality Assurance (DGQA).

It is expected that this move will facilitate widening and deepening of Industrial base in Defence and Aerospace Sector by identifying ‘hidden gems’ and wider recognition of outstanding Indian firms amongst national and international customers. It is also expected to provide a boost to export potential of Indian defence industry, especially for MSME and Start-Up firms, by publicising their outstanding achievements at the global level.

Detailed guidelines for ‘Raksha Mantri’s Awards for Excellence in Defence and Aerospace Sector’ are available at https://www.ddpmod.gov.in, http://makeinindiadefence.gov.in and http://www.dgqadefence.gov.in.