UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO 2026: Raksha Mantri unveils major reform to enhance efficiency, accountability & timely execution of strategic R&D projects
Q1. The Delegation of Financial Powers to DRDO 2026 (DFP-2026), a reform to fast-track strategic R&D projects, was formally released in June 2026 by which one of the following authorities?
- A. The Raksha Mantri (Union Defence Minister)
- B. The Chief of Defence Staff
- C. The Cabinet Committee on Security
- D. The National Security Adviser
Q2. Under DFP-2026, the powers to sanction grants-in-aid have been clearly segregated across how many distinct R&D funding streams (such as Extra-Mural Research Projects, Defence Innovation Accelerator-Centres of Excellence, and the Technology Development Fund)?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
Q3. With reference to the placement of DRDO within India's defence-production ecosystem, consider the following statements:
1. DRDO is the research-and-development wing of the Ministry of Defence, whereas Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) are primarily production and manufacturing entities.
2. The Chairman of DRDO is invariably an officer drawn from the three armed services rather than a civilian scientist.
3. DRDO functions under the Department of Defence R&D, which is administratively distinct from the Department of Defence Production.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- DRDO is the research-and-development wing of the Ministry of Defence, whereas Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) are primarily production and manufacturing entities.
- The Chairman of DRDO is invariably an officer drawn from the three armed services rather than a civilian scientist.
- DRDO functions under the Department of Defence R&D, which is administratively distinct from the Department of Defence Production.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q4. As part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push in defence, how many Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs) for Defence Public Sector Undertakings had been notified by the Ministry of Defence as of 2025?
- A. Three
- B. Four
- C. Five
- D. Six
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding defence innovation/indigenisation schemes:
1. iDEX is operationalised by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) to fund defence start-ups and MSMEs.
2. ADITI is a scheme that provides grant support of up to Rs 25 crore to scale deep-tech defence innovations.
3. The Technology Development Fund is administered by DRDO to fund industry/MSME defence technology development.
4. SAMRIDH is a Ministry of Defence positive-indigenisation scheme dedicated to ammunition production.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- iDEX is operationalised by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) to fund defence start-ups and MSMEs.
- ADITI is a scheme that provides grant support of up to Rs 25 crore to scale deep-tech defence innovations.
- The Technology Development Fund is administered by DRDO to fund industry/MSME defence technology development.
- SAMRIDH is a Ministry of Defence positive-indigenisation scheme dedicated to ammunition production.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q6. Consider the following statements about financial delegation in Government-funded R&D:
1. The General Financial Rules currently in force were notified in 2017.
2. Financial powers not delegated to any subordinate authority vest in the Ministry of Finance.
3. The DRDO Technology Development Fund was launched in 2016.
4. iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) was launched in 2010.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- The General Financial Rules currently in force were notified in 2017.
- Financial powers not delegated to any subordinate authority vest in the Ministry of Finance.
- The DRDO Technology Development Fund was launched in 2016.
- iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) was launched in 2010.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q7. Under the General Financial Rules, financial powers of the Government that have not been delegated to any subordinate authority ultimately vest in which one of the following?
- A. The Ministry of Finance
- B. The administrative Ministry concerned
- C. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- D. The NITI Aayog
Q8. With reference to how DFP-2026 differs from the earlier DRDO delegation framework, consider the following statements:
1. Unlike the earlier framework, DFP-2026 introduces dedicated financial provisions for trial campaigns and test-and-evaluation activities.
2. DFP-2026 newly authorises the sanctioning of pre-project R&D initiatives at the departmental level.
3. DFP-2026 entirely does away with any financial accountability or audit requirement for DRDO project sanctions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Unlike the earlier framework, DFP-2026 introduces dedicated financial provisions for trial campaigns and test-and-evaluation activities.
- DFP-2026 newly authorises the sanctioning of pre-project R&D initiatives at the departmental level.
- DFP-2026 entirely does away with any financial accountability or audit requirement for DRDO project sanctions.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. The Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, integrated with the indigenous Tejas (LCA) aircraft, was designed and developed by which one of the following DRDO laboratories?
- A. Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE)
- B. Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)
- C. Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL)
- D. Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS)
Q10. Under the DRDO Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, grant-in-aid support is provided up to 90% of the project cost, subject to a maximum ceiling of how much per project?
- A. Rs 10 crore
- B. Rs 25 crore
- C. Rs 50 crore
- D. Rs 100 crore
Q11. Reforms such as enhanced delegation of financial powers were given impetus when the Ministry of Defence declared which one of the following years as its 'Year of Reforms'?
- A. 2023
- B. 2024
- C. 2025
- D. 2026