Recently, the Defence Minister released an E-booklet titled ‘20 Reforms in 2020’ highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020.
Structural Reforms: The post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was created to increase efficiency & coordination among the Armed Forces and reduce duplication, while Department of Military affairs (DMA) was established to ensure improved civil-military integration.
Boost to Indigenisation: To promote ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector, a list of 101 defence items for which there would be an embargo on the import was notified in August 2020, while Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 was unveiled in September 2020. The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports.
Funding: There was a 10% budget increase in 2020-21 over the previous year.
Promoting Innovation: To promote innovation by young minds, five Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were launched in 2020.
Digitising Tribunals: The Armed Forces Tribunal began digital hearing for the first time in August 2020.
Strategic Connectivity: World’s longest Atal tunnel above 10,000 feet, at Rohtang on the Leh-Manali Highway was inaugurated.
Women Participation: Ten streams of Indian Army were opened for giving Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission (SSC) Women officers.All Sainik Schools were thrown open for girl students from academic session 2020-21.
NCC: Expanding the reach of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) to remote locations was a major announcement.
