DRDO announced a policy to foster collaboration with private sector players and academic institutions to advance emerging and cutting-edge defence technologies, promoting innovation and indigenisation.

Dalit sanitation workers in Bengaluru staged a protest following their termination, which came after they raised concerns over extortion practices and harassment by contractors. Despite intervention by labor authorities, DRDO’s contractor allegedly refused to reinstate the workers, highlighting significant labor rights abuses.

Reports indicate that a restructuring of DRDO is under discussion, with proposals to shift key decision-making authority to the Prime Minister's Office. This potential change raises concerns about increased political control over defense research and development, reducing transparency and institutional independence.

The Government of India has convened a nine-member committee led by Prof Vijay Raghavan to review and reform DRDO’s organizational structure, accountability, and engagements with private sector partners, including measures to incentivize scientists and curb brain-drain. The reform effort comes amid longstanding criticisms of DRDO’s inefficiencies and ageing practices.

In a bid to address longstanding bureaucratic inefficiencies and a history of obstructing private sector participation in defence acquisitions, the Modi government has constituted a nine-member expert committee to review the practices and role of DRDO. The move aims to enhance accountability and modernize the agency, which has been criticized for delaying critical procurement and research processes.

AIDEF’s National Executive Committee has resolved to designate April 28, 2023 as an All India Protest Day in response to a series of measures—including outsourcing, corporatisation, and downsizing—in key defence establishments such as DRDO. These policies are viewed as an undermining of trade union rights and workers’ protections, reflecting an anti-worker agenda in the defence sector.