The Make-I category involves government-funded projects for the design and development of Defence equipment, systems, or major platforms, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) providing up to 70% of the prototype development cost through phased funding, depending on the project and agency needs.

Make-II projects(with assured MOQs) are industry-funded initiatives focused on developing prototypes for Defence equipment, upgrades, or components, primarily for import substitution or innovative solutions.

Make-III projects focus on the indigenous manufacturing of subsystems, components, materials, and ammunition as import substitutes for supporting weapon systems and equipment in service. These are not indigenously designed but are produced in India, often through collaboration or technology transfer (ToT) from foreign OEMs.

iDEX-DIO, launched to promote self-reliance and indigenization in Defense and aerospace, supports the "Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan" by providing grants of up to ₹25 crore to smaller enterprises, startups, and innovators for developing cutting-edge solutions, aiming to reduce India's Defence imports and bolster domestic production capabilities.

DRDO's Technology Development Fund (TDF) provides up to ₹50 crore in funding to MSMEs and startups for developing Indian Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (IDDM) defense products, covering 90% of project costs and offering extensive support, including mentoring and quality assurance.

DRDO’s ToT and the Development cum Production Partnership model play crucial roles in enhancing India's defense capabilities through collaboration between government R&D and industry.