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2 minPolitical Concept
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Concepts
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  5. Political Concept
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  7. Self-Reliance in Defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence)
Political Concept

Self-Reliance in Defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence)

What is Self-Reliance in Defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence)?

Self-Reliance in Defence, strongly emphasized under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Campaign), is a strategic goal to reduce India's dependence on foreign defence imports by fostering a robust indigenous defence industrial base, promoting domestic research and development, and enhancing manufacturing capabilities within the country.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: Key Policy Milestones (2014-2025)

This timeline highlights the critical policy decisions and initiatives that have shaped India's journey towards self-reliance in the defence sector, from 'Make in India' to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

India's Defence Self-Reliance Progress (as of Dec 2025)

This dashboard presents key metrics showcasing India's progress towards self-reliance in defence, reflecting achievements in domestic procurement, exports, and investment.

2 minPolitical Concept
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Concepts
  4. /
  5. Political Concept
  6. /
  7. Self-Reliance in Defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence)
Political Concept

Self-Reliance in Defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence)

What is Self-Reliance in Defence (Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence)?

Self-Reliance in Defence, strongly emphasized under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Campaign), is a strategic goal to reduce India's dependence on foreign defence imports by fostering a robust indigenous defence industrial base, promoting domestic research and development, and enhancing manufacturing capabilities within the country.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: Key Policy Milestones (2014-2025)

This timeline highlights the critical policy decisions and initiatives that have shaped India's journey towards self-reliance in the defence sector, from 'Make in India' to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

India's Defence Self-Reliance Progress (as of Dec 2025)

This dashboard presents key metrics showcasing India's progress towards self-reliance in defence, reflecting achievements in domestic procurement, exports, and investment.

2014

'Make in India' initiative launched, emphasizing defence manufacturing

2016

Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) revised to prioritize 'Buy Indian'

2020

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan launched, with specific focus on defence

2020

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 introduced, promoting indigenous design & development

2020

First 'Positive Indigenisation List' (101 items) released for armed forces

2021

FDI limit in defence manufacturing increased to 74% (automatic route)

2021

Corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into 7 new DPSUs

2022

Second & Third Positive Indigenisation Lists released (hundreds of items)

2023

Defence exports reach record ₹16,000 crore; 75% capital budget for domestic procurement

2024

Launch of 'Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)' Prime and DISC 7.0

2025

MoD secures ₹4,666 Cr deals for indigenous rifles & torpedoes (Current News)

Connected to current news
Domestic Capital Procurement Share+5% from FY23-24
80% (Proj FY25-26)

Percentage of the defence capital budget earmarked for procurement from domestic sources, indicating a strong push for indigenization.

Data: 2025
Defence Exports+56% from FY22-23
₹25,000 Crore (Proj FY24-25)

Significant growth in defence exports, transforming India from a net importer to a potential exporter of defence equipment.

Data: 2025
FDI in Defence ManufacturingStill low, but increasing
~ $20 Million (Cumulative 2014-2025)

Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector, indicating international confidence and collaboration potential, though still a relatively small figure.

Data: 2025
Positive Indigenisation Lists
3+ Lists (Hundreds of Items)

Mandatory procurement from domestic sources for hundreds of defence items, phased over time, to reduce import dependence.

Data: 2025
2014

'Make in India' initiative launched, emphasizing defence manufacturing

2016

Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) revised to prioritize 'Buy Indian'

2020

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan launched, with specific focus on defence

2020

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 introduced, promoting indigenous design & development

2020

First 'Positive Indigenisation List' (101 items) released for armed forces

2021

FDI limit in defence manufacturing increased to 74% (automatic route)

2021

Corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into 7 new DPSUs

2022

Second & Third Positive Indigenisation Lists released (hundreds of items)

2023

Defence exports reach record ₹16,000 crore; 75% capital budget for domestic procurement

2024

Launch of 'Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)' Prime and DISC 7.0

2025

MoD secures ₹4,666 Cr deals for indigenous rifles & torpedoes (Current News)

Connected to current news
Domestic Capital Procurement Share+5% from FY23-24
80% (Proj FY25-26)

Percentage of the defence capital budget earmarked for procurement from domestic sources, indicating a strong push for indigenization.

Data: 2025
Defence Exports+56% from FY22-23
₹25,000 Crore (Proj FY24-25)

Significant growth in defence exports, transforming India from a net importer to a potential exporter of defence equipment.

Data: 2025
FDI in Defence ManufacturingStill low, but increasing
~ $20 Million (Cumulative 2014-2025)

Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector, indicating international confidence and collaboration potential, though still a relatively small figure.

Data: 2025
Positive Indigenisation Lists
3+ Lists (Hundreds of Items)

Mandatory procurement from domestic sources for hundreds of defence items, phased over time, to reduce import dependence.

Data: 2025

Historical Background

The pursuit of self-reliance in defence has been a long-standing objective since independence, driven by strategic autonomy and national security concerns. The 'Make in India' initiative (2014) provided a significant push, which was further intensified and rebranded as 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence' in 2020 following global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical shifts.

Key Points

9 points
  • 1.

    Aims to transform India from a defence importer to a defence exporter.

  • 2.

    Introduction of negative import lists (or positive indigenisation lists) for defence items, mandating their procurement from domestic sources over a phased timeline.

  • 3.

    Increased FDI limit in defence manufacturing to 74% under automatic route and 100% through government route.

  • 4.

    Prioritization of 'Buy Indian' and 'Make' categories in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

  • 5.

    Promotion of defence exports through various policies and incentives.

  • 6.

    Support for MSMEs and start-ups in the defence sector through schemes like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).

  • 7.

    Focus on indigenous design, development, and manufacturing of critical defence technologies and platforms.

  • 8.

    Encouragement of private sector participation and public-private partnerships in defence production.

  • 9.

    Establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors to create a conducive ecosystem for defence manufacturing.

Visual Insights

Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: Key Policy Milestones (2014-2025)

This timeline highlights the critical policy decisions and initiatives that have shaped India's journey towards self-reliance in the defence sector, from 'Make in India' to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

India's pursuit of defence self-reliance has intensified, moving from a general 'Make in India' push to a targeted 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' strategy, marked by policy reforms, indigenization lists, and increased domestic procurement.

  • 2014'Make in India' initiative launched, emphasizing defence manufacturing
  • 2016Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) revised to prioritize 'Buy Indian'
  • 2020Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan launched, with specific focus on defence
  • 2020Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 introduced, promoting indigenous design & development
  • 2020First 'Positive Indigenisation List' (101 items) released for armed forces
  • 2021FDI limit in defence manufacturing increased to 74% (automatic route)
  • 2021Corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into 7 new DPSUs
  • 2022Second & Third Positive Indigenisation Lists released (hundreds of items)
  • 2023Defence exports reach record ₹16,000 crore; 75% capital budget for domestic procurement
  • 2024Launch of 'Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)' Prime and DISC 7.0
  • 2025MoD secures ₹4,666 Cr deals for indigenous rifles & torpedoes (Current News)

India's Defence Self-Reliance Progress (as of Dec 2025)

This dashboard presents key metrics showcasing India's progress towards self-reliance in defence, reflecting achievements in domestic procurement, exports, and investment.

Domestic Capital Procurement Share
80% (Proj FY25-26)+5% from FY23-24

Percentage of the defence capital budget earmarked for procurement from domestic sources, indicating a strong push for indigenization.

Defence Exports
₹25,000 Crore (Proj FY24-25)+56% from FY22-23

Significant growth in defence exports, transforming India from a net importer to a potential exporter of defence equipment.

FDI in Defence Manufacturing
~ $20 Million (Cumulative 2014-2025)Still low, but increasing

Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector, indicating international confidence and collaboration potential, though still a relatively small figure.

Positive Indigenisation Lists
3+ Lists (Hundreds of Items)

Mandatory procurement from domestic sources for hundreds of defence items, phased over time, to reduce import dependence.

Related Concepts

Ministry of DefenceMake in India InitiativeDefence ModernizationDefence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)

Source Topic

Defence Ministry Secures ₹4,666 Crore Deals for Combat Carbines and Torpedoes

Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

Highly critical for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Internal Security, Defence Industry, Economic Development) and GS Paper 2 (International Relations, Government Policies). Questions frequently assess India's strategic autonomy, defence preparedness, economic implications of indigenization, and challenges in achieving self-reliance.

On This Page

DefinitionHistorical BackgroundKey PointsVisual InsightsRelated ConceptsUPSC RelevanceSource Topic

Source Topic

Defence Ministry Secures ₹4,666 Crore Deals for Combat Carbines and TorpedoesPolity & Governance

Related Concepts

Ministry of DefenceMake in India InitiativeDefence ModernizationDefence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)

Historical Background

The pursuit of self-reliance in defence has been a long-standing objective since independence, driven by strategic autonomy and national security concerns. The 'Make in India' initiative (2014) provided a significant push, which was further intensified and rebranded as 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence' in 2020 following global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical shifts.

Key Points

9 points
  • 1.

    Aims to transform India from a defence importer to a defence exporter.

  • 2.

    Introduction of negative import lists (or positive indigenisation lists) for defence items, mandating their procurement from domestic sources over a phased timeline.

  • 3.

    Increased FDI limit in defence manufacturing to 74% under automatic route and 100% through government route.

  • 4.

    Prioritization of 'Buy Indian' and 'Make' categories in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

  • 5.

    Promotion of defence exports through various policies and incentives.

  • 6.

    Support for MSMEs and start-ups in the defence sector through schemes like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).

  • 7.

    Focus on indigenous design, development, and manufacturing of critical defence technologies and platforms.

  • 8.

    Encouragement of private sector participation and public-private partnerships in defence production.

  • 9.

    Establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors to create a conducive ecosystem for defence manufacturing.

Visual Insights

Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: Key Policy Milestones (2014-2025)

This timeline highlights the critical policy decisions and initiatives that have shaped India's journey towards self-reliance in the defence sector, from 'Make in India' to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

India's pursuit of defence self-reliance has intensified, moving from a general 'Make in India' push to a targeted 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' strategy, marked by policy reforms, indigenization lists, and increased domestic procurement.

  • 2014'Make in India' initiative launched, emphasizing defence manufacturing
  • 2016Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) revised to prioritize 'Buy Indian'
  • 2020Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan launched, with specific focus on defence
  • 2020Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 introduced, promoting indigenous design & development
  • 2020First 'Positive Indigenisation List' (101 items) released for armed forces
  • 2021FDI limit in defence manufacturing increased to 74% (automatic route)
  • 2021Corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into 7 new DPSUs
  • 2022Second & Third Positive Indigenisation Lists released (hundreds of items)
  • 2023Defence exports reach record ₹16,000 crore; 75% capital budget for domestic procurement
  • 2024Launch of 'Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)' Prime and DISC 7.0
  • 2025MoD secures ₹4,666 Cr deals for indigenous rifles & torpedoes (Current News)

India's Defence Self-Reliance Progress (as of Dec 2025)

This dashboard presents key metrics showcasing India's progress towards self-reliance in defence, reflecting achievements in domestic procurement, exports, and investment.

Domestic Capital Procurement Share
80% (Proj FY25-26)+5% from FY23-24

Percentage of the defence capital budget earmarked for procurement from domestic sources, indicating a strong push for indigenization.

Defence Exports
₹25,000 Crore (Proj FY24-25)+56% from FY22-23

Significant growth in defence exports, transforming India from a net importer to a potential exporter of defence equipment.

FDI in Defence Manufacturing
~ $20 Million (Cumulative 2014-2025)Still low, but increasing

Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector, indicating international confidence and collaboration potential, though still a relatively small figure.

Positive Indigenisation Lists
3+ Lists (Hundreds of Items)

Mandatory procurement from domestic sources for hundreds of defence items, phased over time, to reduce import dependence.

Related Concepts

Ministry of DefenceMake in India InitiativeDefence ModernizationDefence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)

Source Topic

Defence Ministry Secures ₹4,666 Crore Deals for Combat Carbines and Torpedoes

Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

Highly critical for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Internal Security, Defence Industry, Economic Development) and GS Paper 2 (International Relations, Government Policies). Questions frequently assess India's strategic autonomy, defence preparedness, economic implications of indigenization, and challenges in achieving self-reliance.

On This Page

DefinitionHistorical BackgroundKey PointsVisual InsightsRelated ConceptsUPSC RelevanceSource Topic

Source Topic

Defence Ministry Secures ₹4,666 Crore Deals for Combat Carbines and TorpedoesPolity & Governance

Related Concepts

Ministry of DefenceMake in India InitiativeDefence ModernizationDefence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)