DRDO Financial Powers Framework DFP-2026 Released
Why in the news
A new financial powers framework for the Defence Research and Development Organisation was unveiled to speed up decisions and delivery of strategic research projects. A matching framework for the Armed Forces was released alongside.
Key facts
- Released by: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, 29 June 2026.
- Companion document: Delegation of Financial Powers to Defence Services (DFPDS-2026) to hasten defence procurement.
- Aims: efficiency, accountability and timely execution; faster induction of DRDO-made systems into the forces; closer ties with industry and academia under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- Present at launch: CDS General NS Raja Subramani, Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and CGDA Anugraha Narayana Das.
Features of DFP-2026
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Trials and testing | Dedicated financial provisions for trial campaigns, testing and evaluation |
| Pre-project R&D | Allows sanction of such initiatives |
| EMR grants | Separate schedule for Extra-Mural Research projects |
| DIA-CoE grants | Separate schedule for Defence Innovation Accelerator-Centres of Excellence |
| Empowerment | Stronger functional powers at various levels in the Department of Defence R&D |
| Safeguards | Subject to fund availability and compliance with rules |
About DRDO
- Defence Research and Development Organisation, set up in 1958 under the Department of Defence R&D, Ministry of Defence; HQ at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Over 50 labs and establishments; projects include BrahMos, Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Astra, Tejas, Arjun MBT, Pinaka, INS Arihant, Nag, ABHYAS and Rustom.
Related schemes
- EMR: grants-in-aid to external partners such as universities, IITs and NITs to tap academic talent.
- DIA-CoE: DRDO-backed centres of excellence at leading academic institutions, anchoring the iDEX ecosystem.
- iDEX: Innovations for Defence Excellence, launched April 2018 under the Department of Defence Production; engages startups, MSMEs, academia and innovators; runs Defence India Startup Challenge.
Exam angle
- DFP-2026 for DRDO; DFPDS-2026 for Defence Services.
- DRDO: est. 1958, Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh.
- iDEX: April 2018, under Department of Defence Production.