A New Chapter in Defence Financial Governance
The Controllers’ Conference 2025, hosted by the Defence Accounts Department (DAD), will begin on July 7 at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event. Key dignitaries expected to attend include CDS General Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
This three-day national event will bring together top leadership from defence, finance, academia, civil services, and strategic think tanks.
Transforming Defence Finance for Strategic Readiness
The theme for this year is ‘Transforming Financial Advice, Payment, Audit and Accounting through Defence Finance and Economics.’ This reflects the Defence Ministry’s intent to shift from traditional accounting models to a more strategic, data-driven, and future-ready system.
This transformation aligns with the October 2024 vision statement of the Defence Minister and will officially be backed by the release of DAD’s new Mission Statement and the Motto: ‘Alert, Agile, Adaptive’.
Key Focus Areas: Digital Reforms & Fiscal Innovation
The conference will host eight high-level sessions, or Manan Satras, that cover:
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Defence budget and accounts reforms
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Internal audit restructuring
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Collaborative research and pricing innovation
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Capacity building and skill development
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Strengthening the role of Integrated Financial Advisors (IFAs)
These discussions will shape the evolving role of IFAs—ensuring that fiscal prudence goes hand-in-hand with strategic defence investments.
Digital Platforms Powering DAD’s Transformation
Over the past year, the Defence Accounts Department has rolled out several technology-led initiatives that are already delivering results:
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SAMPURNA – AI-powered end-to-end automation system for procurement and payments, ensuring transparency and real-time tracking
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SPARSH – Digital pension delivery platform that now serves over 32 lakh defence pensioners
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SPARSH VAN – A mobile van initiative that brings pension services to veterans’ homes
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e-Raksha Awaas – Recovery and billing system that has already generated ₹2,700 crore+
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Defence Travel System (DTS) and AI-driven procurement – enhancing speed, accountability, and decision-making
Grassroots Engagement and Upskilling Drive
Since the last Controllers’ Conference, DAD has organized 206 outreach programs and opened over 200 new service centres across India. This effort ensures last-mile delivery and fosters transparency in defence payments and audits.
Institutions like NADFM Pune and CENTRAD Delhi are driving officer training in areas like:
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Defence economics
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Data analytics
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Digital resource management
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Risk forecasting
These training programs ensure that financial systems are not only efficient but also future-ready.
Strengthening India’s Defence with Financial Agility
Managing a massive budget of ₹26.8 lakh crore—including ₹1.7 lakh crore for pensions—DAD’s role has never been more critical. The Controllers’ Conference 2025 aims to deliver actionable reforms that support India’s journey toward Atmanirbhar Bharat and a secure, self-reliant defence ecosystem.
The declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Reform” by MoD gives added importance to this meet. Discussions will focus on building a robust financial framework that is:
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Agile
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Accountable
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Aligned with India’s strategic needs
