- Why in news
- On 7 October 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved a revised SOP for use of MoD proof ranges, field firing ranges and test facilities by the Indian defence industry.
- What it is
- Proof ranges and test facilities are where weapons, ammunition and equipment are fired and tested before acceptance. They are held by DRDO, Government quality assurance agencies and the three Services. An SOP sets the rules by which private industry can book and use them for development trials.
- Charges waived
- Proof and testing charges are waived for iDEX, TDF, Make and other developmental projects of the MoD.
- Dispute resolution
- Arbitration in the old SOP is replaced by a Conciliation Agreement Clause for faster settlement of issues.
- Reserved slot
- Proof Ranges reserve a three-day slot each quarter for developmental projects, including those the industry takes up on its own.
- Facilities covered
- The SOP lists the ranges and labs of DRDO, Government quality assurance agencies and the three Services open to industry.
- iDEX
- iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) is the MoD scheme that engages start-ups, MSMEs and innovators in defence innovation.
Don’t confuse with iDEX vs TDF: iDEX works with start-ups and innovators through challenges. The Technology Development Fund (TDF) funds industry, especially MSMEs, to build prototypes for defence technology.
Don’t confuse with Arbitration vs Conciliation: Arbitration gives a binding award by an arbitrator. Conciliation is a negotiated settlement helped by a conciliator, and is usually quicker.
Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.
Why it matters
- Cheaper and easier access to test facilities cuts development cost and time for private firms and start-ups, supporting defence indigenisation and exports.
Problems
- Limited range capacity and slots may still cause queues and delays for many users.
Way forward
- Add more testing infrastructure and publish a transparent booking system, with periodic review of how the SOP works.
Put in your answer
Policy example: The revised SOP shows how procedural reform, such as fee waivers and conciliation clauses, supports Atmanirbharta in defence.
- 2026Mains GS4 · Q12Ethics case on selling domestically produced weapons abroad amid production constraints
- 2020Mains GS4 · Q8Ethics case on a missile company's indigenous ATGM development and self-reliance
- 2014Mains GS3 · Q9Influence of liberalised FDI in defence on Indian defence and economy
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Policy change for defence industry (iDEX, TDF charge waiver, conciliation replacing arbitration); defence is 8 Prelims questions and rarely Mains.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.