India's DRDO Granted Expanded Financial Autonomy under DFP‑2026

On 29 June, India's defence minister Rajnath Singh issued the Defence Financial Powers (DFP‑2026) scheme, granting the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) greater financial authority at multiple levels. The new framework aims to speed up the approval and execution of strategic research and development projects, enhance accountability, and allocate separate funds for testing, evaluation and early‑stage activities.

Officials at the New Delhi launch, including Chief of Defence Staff NS Raja Subramani and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, said the measures will strengthen collaboration with industry, academic institutions and research bodies, supporting India's goal of defence self‑reliance and faster fielding of indigenous systems.