Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has launched the third edition of its Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme, known as GAINS 2025, in Kolkata. The initiative was inaugurated by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and seeks to harness new-age technologies from start-ups and MSMEs for application in ship design and construction.
‘GAINS’ is an open national challenge designed to enable innovators to provide solutions that can be integrated into GRSE’s shipbuilding processes. The scheme aligns with the government’s Make in India and Start-up India missions and aims to strengthen self-reliance in the defence sector. The themes for GAINS 2025 include artificial intelligence, renewable and green energy, and shipbuilding efficiency enhancement.
In his address, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said, “I have been informed that two editions of the GAINS Open Challenge have been launched to date, and the response from the innovator community has been overwhelming. I am given to understand that the themes of this edition of GAINS include AI, Green Tech, and Shipbuilding Efficiency Enhancement. With projects in AI, robotics, and green energy generation already being developed through the previous editions, I am sure this year's scheme will bring in greater innovation in the declared thematic areas.”
Since its launch in 2023, GAINS has steadily grown in scale. The first edition received 50 proposals, while the second saw 66 entries, with winners introducing solutions in areas such as shipbuilding and green energy. GRSE Chairman and Managing Director PR Hari said the company expects even wider participation this year. “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.
Through GAINS 2025, GRSE aims to fast-track innovative projects that will contribute to its transformation into a future-ready shipyard. Innovators and entrepreneurs can apply through the GRSE website.
BI Bureau
