Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Unveils DFP-2026 to Boost DRDO Project Efficiency
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday released the Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO (DFP-2026), a reform aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability, and timely execution of strategic defence research and development (R&D) projects.
The new policy, announced through a Defence Ministry statement, is expected to facilitate faster production and induction of systems, platforms, and technologies emerging from the R&D ecosystem into the Defence Forces.
This reform comes at a time when the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively pursuing critical military projects such as Project Kusha, the AGNI series of intercontinental ballistic missiles, Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control systems, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), among others.
Enhanced and simplified financial delegations are intended to provide DRDO with the means to streamline and execute key projects faster, reducing delays and improving accountability.
DFP-2026 replaces earlier financial delegation frameworks and is designed to empower DRDO scientists and directors with greater financial autonomy, enabling quicker decision-making in procurement and project management.
The move aligns with the government's broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, or 'Atmanirbhar Bharat,' by strengthening the indigenous R&D ecosystem.
