New Delhi: The Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD), has been awarded the Gold Medal for “Excellence in Display” in the Central Ministries & Government Departments Pavilion category at the 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF-2025), held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27, 2025. This prestigious recognition underscores India’s growing strength in indigenous defence production and the successful presentation of its Aatmanirbharta initiatives on a global platform.
Comprehensive Showcase of India’s Defence Capabilities
The DDP Pavilion was designed to provide a holistic view of the nation’s robust defence industrial base, featuring 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) along with the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. The exhibition highlighted India’s capability to design, develop, and manufacture cutting-edge defence systems, reinforcing the country’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production.
To ensure a world-class display, the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) was appointed as the nodal DPSU by the MoD. BEL was responsible for conceptualising, setting up, and managing the Pavilion, ensuring that India’s indigenous defence technologies were presented in a manner that resonated with both domestic and international audiences.
Recognition of Collaborative Efforts
The Gold Medal was presented during the closing ceremony of IITF-2025 by Mr. Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), to Mr. Nagesh Jain, Director, DEO, DDP, and Mr. Prahalad PS, GM (CM), BEL. The award ceremony was also graced by Mr. Vipin Kumar, Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI), recognizing the joint efforts of the DDP, BEL, and all participating entities.
The accolade acknowledges the effective collaboration between multiple stakeholders in the defence sector to showcase India’s self-reliance in defence production and to highlight innovative technologies and manufacturing capabilities developed by DPSUs and startups under iDEX.
Significance of the Award
This recognition serves as a milestone for India’s defence sector, reflecting:
- The strength of indigenous manufacturing in strategic defence technologies.
- The collaboration between government departments, DPSUs, and startups to promote innovation.
- The commitment of India to Aatmanirbharta in defence, projecting the country as a global leader in defence manufacturing.
Through the IITF-2025 display, international and domestic stakeholders gained insight into India’s expanding technological capabilities in the defence sector, including state-of-the-art equipment, systems, and innovations that support both national security and export potential.
About DDP
The Department of Defence Production (DDP), under the Ministry of Defence, is tasked with promoting indigenous defence manufacturing, facilitating policy implementation, and supporting collaboration between DPSUs, private sector enterprises, and startups. DDP plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s defence industrial base and ensuring that strategic defence needs are met through domestic production and innovation.
This award at IITF-2025 highlights DDP’s commitment to showcasing India’s capabilities in self-reliant defence production to both national and global audiences.
