Defence Finance Gets a Tech Makeover: Hampi Hosts Visionary IFA Meet
Defence Secretary highlights AI-powered ecosystem and IFAs’ strategic role in future-ready defence finance.
BNH NETWORK
Artificial Intelligence, strategic analytics, and innovation take centerstage in MoD’s reform roadmap.
Bengaluru - The historic town of Hampi, Karnataka witnessed a landmark convergence of financial minds as the Integrated Financial Advisors (IFA) Conference 2025, organized by the Ministry of Defence (Finance), concluded on a strong note. The two-day event became a launchpad for the Ministry’s vision to reshape defence financial systems through innovation, integration, and digital intelligence.
Delivering the valedictory address, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh underscored the critical transformation agenda underpinning the ‘Year of Reforms – 2025’, aimed at creating a technologically empowered, combat-ready Armed Forces. At the heart of the discussion was Project SAMPŪRṆA, an ambitious drive to infuse AI, ML, and Data Science into financial decision-making and operations.
The Defence Secretary praised IFAs as catalysts of transparency and accountability, and urged enhanced collaboration across departments to optimize outcomes and integrate digital ecosystems. He reaffirmed the directive of the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri to position the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) as a Centre of Excellence in Defence Finance & Economics, guided by research-backed insights and intelligent fiscal analysis.
In his welcome address, Dr Mayank Sharma, IDAS, Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), reflected on the 277-year legacy of the DAD and its pivotal evolution from a paymaster role to a key strategic pillar within the Ministry of Defence. He reiterated the department’s alignment with the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ mission and its commitment to building Aatmanirbhar Armed Forces.
The conference emphasized institutional synergy, cross-sectoral partnerships, and global benchmarking of defence financial systems. Participants called for deeper engagements with think tanks, academia, and international agencies to usher in futuristic, sustainable financial models.
HIGHLIGHTS – KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Project SAMPŪRṆA unveiled as a cornerstone for digital transformation in defence finance using AI, ML & analytics.
- IFAs recognized as pivotal enablers of financial accountability and smart resource allocation.
- Raksha Mantri’s vision to turn Defence Accounts Department into a Centre of Excellence emphasized.
- Focus on cost-benefit analysis, data-driven policy inputs, and fiscal optimization.
- Strengthened commitment to transparency, institutional integrity, and automation.
- Call for deep collaboration with academia, international bodies, and research institutions to integrate global best practices.
- Conference aligns with ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ and India’s journey toward self-reliant defence forces.
- High participation from top-level officers and stakeholders, contributing to policy-shaping dialogue.
