Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026)
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Why in News
- The Ministry of Defence has released the Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026) to speed up military research projects.
- This revised framework grants higher financial freedom to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for quick project approvals.
- It aims to accelerate the research, testing, and adoption of home-grown defence equipment in India.
- The rules focus on enhancing financial efficiency, transparency, and self-reliance in the national defence sector.
Key Features of DFP-2026
- DRDO officers now enjoy expanded spending powers, which cuts approval times for critical research projects.
- The policy reserves exclusive funds for field trials, testing, and performance evaluation of military hardware.
- It authorizes money for initial research activities, encouraging new concepts even before official project sanction.
- Distinct funding mechanisms support Extra-Mural Research Projects (EMRPs) and Defence Innovation Accelerator-Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) to connect industry with academia.
Significance
- Removing procedural hurdles allows faster development and delivery of indigenous equipment to the Armed Forces.
- Stronger partnerships with startups, domestic firms, and universities will foster innovation and cut reliance on foreign weapons.