Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Inaugurate Controllers' Conference 2025: A New Era in Defence Financial Governance


Introduction: Shaping the Future of Defence Finance

The Controllers' Conference 2025, scheduled from July 7–9 at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, is set to be a landmark event for India’s defence financial architecture. The conference will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in the presence of top leadership from the military and civil administration, including CDS General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) Mayank Sharma. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) describes the event as a strategic forum to advance institutional transformation within the Defence Accounts Department (DAD).

Strategic Platform for Reform and Innovation

The Controllers' Conference serves as a flagship institutional mechanism to:

  • Review defence finance policies,

  • Evaluate reforms,

  • Strengthen governance in fiscal management and procurement support across the defence ecosystem.

Participants will include stakeholders from the military, civil service, think tanks, and academia, making it a truly multidisciplinary platform for shaping defence finance policy.

2025 Theme: “Transforming Financial Advice, Payment, Audit and Accounting”

This year’s theme marks a pivotal shift—from being merely a finance and accounts service to emerging as a future-ready institution of Defence Finance and Economics. The transition aligns with the strategic vision laid out by the Raksha Mantri in October 2024.

Key elements of this transformation include:

  • Releasing the new Mission Statement and Motto: “Alert, Agile, Adaptive”.

  • Institutionalising fiscal reforms for better transparency, integration, and national readiness.

Conference Format: 8 High-Level Manan Satras

The conference features eight strategic business sessions or ‘Manan Satras’, focusing on:

  • Budget and accounts reform,

  • Internal audit restructuring,

  • Collaborative research in defence finance,

  • Pricing innovation for procurement,

  • Capacity building of finance officers,

  • Evolving role of Integrated Financial Advisors (IFAs).

These sessions aim to recalibrate DAD’s approach to ensure fiscal discipline without compromising strategic agility, especially for a rapidly modernising and self-reliant defence industry.

Managing a Massive Budget: Rs 26.8 Lakh Crore

With a total defence outlay of ₹26.8 lakh crore—including ₹1.7 lakh crore for pensions—the DAD plays a mission-critical role in:

  • Salary and pension disbursements,

  • Procurement audits and pricing,

  • Financial advice for defence acquisition and operations.

Flagship Digital Reforms: SAMPURNA, SPARSH, DTS

The Ministry of Defence has highlighted several milestone digital reforms:

  • SAMPURNA: An AI-driven automation platform for procurement and payments.

  • SPARSH: Now serving over 32 lakh pensioners, this digital system has transformed defence pension delivery.

  • SPARSH VAN: A mobile service launched in Tamil Nadu, delivering pension services directly to veterans' homes.

  • e-Raksha Awaas: Automated recovery of over ₹500 crore in rent and billing ₹2,700+ crore.

These initiatives align with India’s push for paperless, transparent, and efficient governance.

Building Capacity: Training and MIS-Driven Audits

Training institutions like NADFM Pune and CENTRAD Delhi are leading the push for capacity building through:

  • Courses in Defence Economics,

  • Data Analytics, and

  • Digital Resource Management.

Additionally, audit mechanisms within DAD are evolving into Management Information Systems (MIS)—providing real-time risk indicators, performance metrics, and decision support tools for policymakers.

Outreach and Local Engagement

Since the last Controllers’ Conference, DAD has:

  • Conducted 206 outreach programs,

  • Established over 200 service centres across India,
    enhancing last-mile delivery, stakeholder education, and community support for veterans and service personnel.

The Year of Reform: Strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat

As part of MoD’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Reform, this conference aims to produce actionable policy outcomes to:

  • Strengthen defence financial autonomy,

  • Support the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions,

  • Foster “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government” in defence finance systems.

Conclusion: A Strategic Pivot Toward a Digitally Enabled, Agile Defence Finance Ecosystem

The Controllers’ Conference 2025 is more than a routine event—it signals India’s transformation in defence financial governance. Through digital platforms, institutional training, and robust audit systems, the DAD is preparing itself to support a modern, self-reliant military. As India faces new security challenges, this event ensures that financial systems are aligned with the nation's long-term strategic goals.

The defence finance narrative is no longer just about compliance—it is now about strategy, speed, and sovereignty.



Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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