Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
Defence Acquisition Procedure
"The policy framework governing how the Indian Ministry of Defence procures weapons systems, equipment, and platforms for the armed forces"
The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) is the comprehensive policy framework that governs the procurement of weapons systems, defence equipment, and military platforms by the Indian Ministry of Defence. Updated periodically, the DAP defines procurement categories, offset requirements, timelines, price negotiation mechanisms, and indigenisation mandates. The draft DAP 2026 proposes a shift from 'Made in India' to 'Owned by India' — emphasising ownership of intellectual property, design documents, and source code rather than mere assembly under licence. DAP procurement categories include Buy (Indian), Buy and Make (Indian), Make, Buy (Indian-IDDM — Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured), Buy (Global), and Strategic Partnership Model. The 2026 draft also incorporates a new Drone Security Framework mandating elimination of Chinese components from military drones.
DAP is essential for UPSC GS-3 (defence indigenisation, Atmanirbhar Bharat) and GS-2 (governance). Understanding procurement categories (Buy Indian, IDDM, Buy and Make), offset policy, and the evolution from DPP to DAP is important for both Prelims and Mains.
- 1 Governs all defence procurement by the Ministry of Defence
- 2 Updated periodically — DAP 2020 replaced DPP 2016; DAP 2026 (draft) is the latest
- 3 Key categories include Buy (Indian-IDDM), Buy (Indian), Buy and Make (Indian), Make, and Buy (Global)
- 4 DAP 2026 proposes 'Owned by India' doctrine — IP, source code, design ownership
- 5 75% of capital acquisition earmarked for domestic procurement
- 6 Defence production reached record Rs 1,50,590 crore in FY 2024-25
- 7 Defence exports grew 35x in a decade to Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024-25
- 8 Drone Security Framework to be incorporated in DAP 2026
The draft DAP 2026 shifts from 'Made in India' to 'Owned by India', requiring that Indian companies hold intellectual property rights and source code for platforms manufactured under licence.