The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Defence Technology and Test Centre (DTTC) in Lucknow, organised a day-long MSME and Start-up Conclave on 6 September 2025 at its Amausi campus. The event aimed to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing in Defence R&D and production, accelerating development within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.

Over 100 participants from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, and Laghu Udhyog Bharati took part in discussions centred on skill development, R&D funding, technical consultancy, and technology development and transfer by DRDO.

In his inaugural address, the Chairman of DRDO highlighted DTTC as a visionary initiative of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, now delivering tangible outcomes for India's defence ecosystem. He encouraged MSMEs to actively engage in defence innovation, noting that DRDO offers a wide array of technologies and industry-focused policies to support such efforts. He reaffirmed DRDO’s commitment to providing all necessary assistance to ensure India becomes Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) and achieves the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, in a message, congratulated both DRDO and the participating MSMEs for their efforts in advancing the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He praised the vital role played by MSMEs in driving indigenisation and innovation in the defence sector.

Prominent dignitaries at the event included: