MoS Defence launches GRSE-initiated GAINS-2024

Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth Launches Second Edition of GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS) in Kolkata

New Delhi: Following the remarkable success of its inaugural initiative, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has launched the second edition of the GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS) in Kolkata. The announcement was made by Sanjay Seth, Minister of State (MoS) for Defence, on Wednesday.

The GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS) is a national open challenge designed to stimulate and support MSMEs and startups in developing innovative solutions that GRSE may integrate for advancing technology in shipbuilding. This initiative aligns with the Government of India's ‘Make in India’ and ‘Start-up India’ policies, aiming to harness the potential of the MSME and startup ecosystems to tackle current and emerging challenges in ship design and construction while promoting self-reliance.

The inaugural GAINS in 2023 drew participation from across the nation. Following Stage I, six proposals were selected for a detailed evaluation in Stage II. The selected innovators received up to Rs 5 lakh each to cover the costs of preparing detailed project reports. These reports and presentations underwent further scrutiny, resulting in two winners being chosen. One winner, an MSME, is developing an AI-based Material Code Generation and Management System, while the other, a startup, is working on robots for ship exterior painting. Both winners have been assured sufficient funding by GRSE to develop their prototypes.

Encouraged by this success, GRSE has launched GAINS-2024, anticipating a higher number of participants this year. As with GAINS-2023, this year's participants will focus on themes such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Renewable/Green Energy & Energy Efficiency, and Overall Efficiency Enhancement. The scheme is aimed at creating rapid, innovative solutions to position GRSE as a future-ready shipyard.

Minister Seth commended GRSE’s commitment to technological advancement, emphasizing that this initiative not only underscores the innovative efforts made by GRSE in strengthening the nation’s maritime capabilities but also celebrates the launch of GAINS-2024. He praised the initiative as a significant step under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Start-up India’ programs, reflecting India's progress towards becoming a world-class defense industry with enhanced self-reliance.

GRSE CMD Cmde PR Hari highlighted that new technology adoption is a critical focus area for the shipyard and expressed confidence that GAINS-2024 will substantially contribute to this goal. He extended his best wishes to the innovative Indian startups participating in the scheme, hoping their efforts will significantly advance the nation’s defense capabilities.

The launch event was attended by GRSE's CMD Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd); Director (Finance) RK Dash; Director (Shipbuilding) Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd); Director (Personnel) DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd); Independent Directors Sanjay Dattatraya Panse and Sanjeeb Mohanty; CVO Abhishek Ranjan (IOFS); and Emeritus Professor Dr OP Sha from the Department of Ocean Engineering & Naval Architecture, IIT Kharagpur, among other senior officials from GRSE and representatives from Indian startups.