Revamping DRDO: Insights from the Vijayraghavan Committee

Vijayaraghavan Committee on DRDO Revamp: Charting a New Course for India's Defence Research

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India is currently undergoing a significant transformation as outlined by a high-powered committee led by Prof. K. VijayRaghavan. This committee's primary goal is to redirect DRDO's focus towards the development of advanced technologies essential for future warfare.

Key Recommendations and Developments

• Research Focus: The committee recommends that DRDO should concentrate exclusively on research and development. This shift involves stepping away from prototype development and technology demonstrations.
• Private Sector Engagement: The report suggests transferring production and further development responsibilities to selected private entities and public sector undertakings, fostering collaboration.
• Laboratory Consolidation: A proposal has been made to reduce the number of DRDO labs from 40 to approximately 10 national-level facilities, enhancing efficiency.
• Testing Facilities: Establishing five national test facilities that will be accessible to the private sector for testing their weapon systems is a significant step forward.
• PMO Oversight: The Prime Minister's Office is expected to play a more active role in overseeing key strategic projects, indicating increased scrutiny of DRDO's performance.
• Organizational Changes: The committee discusses the potential bifurcation of the secretary (research and development) role in the Ministry of Defence and the introduction of a project-based manpower system emphasizing performance accountability.
• Budget and Staffing: DRDO's current budget stands at Rs 23,264 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24, with a workforce of around 30,000, including a substantial number of scientific staff and contractual employees.
• Implementation Plan: A three-month timeline has been set for DRDO to review and provide feedback on these recommendations, with phased implementation expected thereafter.
• Defence Scientist Concerns: These proposed changes have stirred uncertainty among defence scientists regarding their career prospects and the continuity of current DRDO projects.
• Modeling After DARPA: The Indian government aims to remodel DRDO similarly to the US's Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), known for its project-based, outsourced research approach without in-house labs or staff.
• Broader Aims: These reforms align with the government's broader objectives under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to boost indigenous defence manufacturing and achieve a significant increase in defence exports by 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the main objective of the Vijayraghavan Committee regarding DRDO?
Answer: The main goal of the Vijayraghavan Committee is to transform DRDO's focus towards developing advanced technologies necessary for future warfare while enhancing collaboration with the private sector.

Q2. How many laboratories does the committee propose DRDO have?
Answer: The committee recommends consolidating DRDO's laboratories from 40 to approximately 10 national-level facilities to improve efficiency and research output.

Q3. What role will the PMO play in DRDO's future projects?
Answer: The Prime Minister's Office is expected to take a more active role in overseeing key strategic projects, ensuring increased accountability and scrutiny of DRDO's performance.

Q4. What budget has been allocated to DRDO for 2023-24?
Answer: DRDO's budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 is set at Rs 23,264 crore, supporting various research and development initiatives.

Q5. What is the significance of modeling DRDO after DARPA?
Answer: Remodelling DRDO after DARPA aims to promote a project-based, outsourced research model, enhancing innovation without maintaining in-house labs, thereby increasing efficiency.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary focus of the Vijayraghavan Committee's recommendations for DRDO?
A) Prototype development
B) Advanced technology development
C) Public sector expansion
D) International collaborations
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: How many national test facilities does the committee propose to establish?
A) Three
B) Five
C) Ten
D) Fifteen
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Which organization is DRDO expected to model itself after according to the committee's recommendations?
A) NASA
B) ISRO
C) DARPA
D) Boeing
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: What is the current staffing level of DRDO for the fiscal year 2023-24?
A) 10,000
B) 20,000
C) 30,000
D) 40,000
Correct Answer: C

Question 5: What initiative aligns with the broader aims of the DRDO transformation?
A) Digital India
B) Make in India
C) Aatmanirbhar Bharat
D) Skill India
Correct Answer: C