Defence Secretary launches GRSE’s ‘GAINS 2025’ to boost shipbuilding innovation

Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited has launched the third edition of its Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme, ‘GAINS 2025’, in Kolkata on Friday, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh (IAS) formally inaugurating the initiative.

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The programme is designed as a national open challenge to encourage MSMEs and start-ups to develop innovative solutions in ship design, construction, and allied technologies. It aligns with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Start-up India’ missions, with a broader aim of driving Atmanirbharta in the defence manufacturing sector.

Speaking at the launch, Singh said the previous two editions had drawn significant interest from the innovation community, with projects in AI, robotics, and green energy generation already underway. “The themes of this edition of GAINS include AI, Green Tech, and Shipbuilding Efficiency Enhancement. I am sure this year's scheme will bring in greater innovation in the declared thematic areas,” he added.

GRSE CMD Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), described GAINS as a “success story” that has benefitted both the shipyard and the Indian start-up ecosystem. “Not only GRSE, but the Indian Startup Ecosystem has ‘gained’ a lot from GAINS. As far as participation in GAINS-2025, we expect to cross the century mark,” he said.

The first edition, GAINS 2023, had received 50 proposals, with Smart Machines and Structures (MSME) and Bodkin Technologies Pvt Ltd (start-up) declared winners. The second edition, GAINS 2024, attracted 66 proposals, with Cloudmetica Technologies (MSME) and IIT Guwahati Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (start-up) emerging as winners for their contributions in shipbuilding and green energy technologies.

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