DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University Defence Partnership

MoU for Strategic Defence Collaboration

DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University Defence Partnership: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 December 2025.
The agreement aims to strengthen India’s defence and internal security ecosystem through structured collaboration.

The partnership focuses on research, education, training, and technology support, addressing both present and future security challenges.
It aligns closely with India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and long-term preparedness during Amrit Kaal.

Signing Ceremony and Key Dignitaries

The MoU was signed at South Block, New Delhi, a location symbolically associated with national defence decision-making.
It was formalised by Dr Chandrika Kaushik, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction), DRDO, and Prof. (Dr) Bimal N Patel, Vice Chancellor of RRU.

The event took place in the presence of Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Defence, highlighting the strategic significance of the agreement.
Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, was also present.

Static GK fact: South Block houses key offices of India’s defence and external affairs administration.

Objectives of the MoU

A central objective of the MoU is to enhance self-reliance in defence and internal security technologies.
The agreement integrates academic research, technology development, and operational experience into a unified framework.

Another critical aim is to strengthen strategic autonomy in internal security domains.
This is especially relevant for agencies functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The MoU supports a whole-of-nation approach, combining scientific innovation with institutional capacity building.

Role of Rashtriya Raksha University

Rashtriya Raksha University is an institution of national importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as the Nodal Centre for Defence Studies.

RRU has strong expertise in internal security studies, training, policy research, and capacity building.
Its academic ecosystem focuses on preparing security professionals for evolving threat environments.

Static GK Tip: RRU was established to integrate policing, security studies, and strategic research under one academic framework.

Role of DRDO

DRDO is India’s premier organisation for defence research and development.
It plays a key role in developing indigenous defence systems for the Armed Forces and security agencies.

Through this partnership, DRDO will provide system-level expertise, advanced technologies, and life cycle management experience.
This support is vital for internal security forces using DRDO-developed equipment.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The MoU covers joint research projects, PhD and fellowship programmes, and specialised training initiatives.
It also includes technology gap analysis and forecasting of future operational requirements.

A significant component involves life cycle management of systems inducted into Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
This ensures long-term efficiency, upgrades, and operational reliability.

Static GK fact: CAPFs operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs and play a crucial role in internal security and border management.

Strategic Significance

This MoU bridges the gap between academic knowledge and applied defence technology.
It strengthens India’s internal security preparedness while reinforcing indigenous innovation capabilities.

The partnership represents a forward-looking model for defence-academia collaboration in India.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University Defence Partnership: