India launches Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026) on 30 June 2026

Key facts

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026) on 30 June 2026 in New Delhi.
• The framework decentralises financial powers within the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to reduce procedural delays and fast-track the induction of indigenous military technologies.
• DFP-2026 establishes dedicated financial allocations for trial campaigns, testing, and evaluation activities, and authorises the sanctioning of pre-project research and development initiatives.
• The reform introduces clear segregation of financial powers for grants-in-aid for Extra-Mural Research Projects, Defence Innovation Accelerator-Centres of Excellence, and projects supported through the Technology Development Fund.
• The initiative aims to reinforce the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and complements the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative.