Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday unveiled the Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026), a revised framework aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and the timely execution of strategic research and development projects.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the new framework seeks to accelerate the development, production and induction of defence systems, platforms and technologies emerging from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) into the armed forces.
Releasing the DFP-2026 in New Delhi, Singh said the revised financial powers would strengthen collaboration between the defence research establishment, industry and academia while advancing the government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
He said the framework would contribute to greater self-reliance in defence technologies and bolster the country's defence preparedness.
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The Ministry said the DFP-2026 significantly enhances functional empowerment at various levels within the Department of Defence Research and Development by streamlining financial decision-making and project approvals.
Among its key features are dedicated financial provisions for trial campaigns, testing and evaluation activities, authorisation to sanction pre-project research and development initiatives, and separate financial powers for grants related to Extra-Mural Research Projects, Defence Innovation Accelerator-Centres of Excellence and Technology Development Fund projects.
The government said the reforms are intended to speed up research programmes and improve the transition of indigenous technologies from laboratories to operational deployment by the armed forces.
The event was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Sukriti Likhi, Controller General of Defence Accounts Anugraha Narayana Das and other senior defence officials.
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