Defence minister Rajnath Singh released the revised Delegation of Financial Powers for the Defence Services, including medical and works projects, in New Delhi on 4 June 2026. The enhancement in the financial powers has been made up to 100 per cent, and even more than double in some cases. This would further strengthen the operational efficiency of field commanders, and lead to faster conclusion of contracts and execution of projects.

The financial powers delegated for indigenisation and Research & Development within the military ecosystem have been doubled to boost aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence by minimising the dependency on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The revised delegation of financial powers will facilitate procurement of more than Rs 1.25 lakh crore through the revenue route, as per current year budgetary allocations.

Special financial powers delegated to army/air force/naval commanders have been increased significantly along with a 100 per cent increase in the total ceiling provided to meet urgent operational requirements. In addition to the enhancement in financial powers, new provisions have been included to promote joint service procurement by the lead service with higher delegation than the normal procurement. Many new competent financial authorities have been introduced to decentralise the procurement of goods and services.

Financial powers were last notified in 2021. The revision was necessitated due to the expansion in force level and to cater to the increased expenditure on operations and sustenance vis-à-vis the increase in budgetary allocation. This revised delegation in financial powers, along with the revised Defence Procurement Manual notified in October 2025, will give a fillip to defence procurement with expeditious decision making. This will lead to timely availability of resources as per the needs of the defence forces.

Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, secretary (defence production) Sanjeev Kumar, secretary (ex-servicemen welfare), Sukriti Likhi, secretary (defence finance), Vishvajit Sahay, vice chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, controller general of defence accounts Anugraha Narayana Das and other senior officials were present on the occasion.