The Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme is an initiative aimed at fostering self-reliance in Defence Technology under the ‘Make in India’ programme by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India. Administered by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), the programme caters to the needs of the Tri-Services, Defence Production, and DRDO. It encourages the involvement of both public and private industries, with a particular focus on MSMEs and startups, to cultivate an environment for advancing cutting-edge technology capabilities within the defence sector.

The scheme provides funding support of up to 90% of the project cost, capped at INR 50 Crores, in the form of Grant-in-Aid. The key objectives include enhancing existing products/processes, elevating technology readiness levels from TRL 3 onwards to meet Tri-Services specifications, developing futuristic technologies and innovative products for defence applications, and substituting imports with indigenous components where local technologies are lacking. The scope of the scheme focusses on technologies or prototypes with potential defence applications at a national level.