Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today unveiled the Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026), introducing a major reform aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability and the timely execution of strategic defence research and development projects.
The revised financial framework is designed to empower the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with greater financial autonomy, enabling faster execution of research programmes and accelerating the production and induction of indigenous defence systems, platforms and technologies into the Armed Forces.
Releasing the DFP-2026, the Defence Minister said the new framework would facilitate quicker delivery of critical technologies emerging from the country’s defence R&D ecosystem while promoting stronger collaboration between DRDO, industry and academia.
“The DFP-2026 will facilitate faster production and induction of systems, platforms & technologies emerging from the R&D ecosystem into the Defence Forces,” Singh said.
He added that the revised framework would reinforce the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening self-reliance in defence technologies and enhancing the country’s defence preparedness.
The DFP-2026 significantly expands functional and financial empowerment at various levels within the Department of Defence R&D. Among its key provisions are dedicated financial allocations for trial campaigns, testing and evaluation activities, authorisation to sanction pre-project research and development initiatives, and a clear segregation of financial powers for grants-in-aid related to Extra-Mural Research Projects, Defence Innovation Accelerator–Centres of Excellence and Technology Development Fund projects.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the reforms are expected to improve project execution timelines, streamline decision-making and enhance accountability across the defence research ecosystem.
The event was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani; Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh; Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar; Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Smt Sukriti Likhi; Controller General of Defence Accounts Shri Anugraha Narayana Das; DG (Naval Systems & Materials), DRDO Shri RV Hara Prasad; DG (Resources & Management) Dr Ravindra Singh; Additional Financial Advisor & JS Shri Ajeet Kumar Srivastava; Director, Directorate of Finance & Material Management Dr Maiya Din and other senior officials were present during the event in New Delhi.
