New Delhi: In a key bureaucratic development in the Ministry of Defence, 1990-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer Raj Kumar Arora took over as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on August 1, 2025. Known for his deep-rooted expertise in financial policy and defence administration, Mr. Arora’s appointment marks a significant step in streamlining defence financial oversight.
A Veteran in Financial Oversight
With more than three decades of service, Mr. Arora brings extensive experience across financial policy, accounting, auditing, budget formulation, defence procurement, and personnel management. His comprehensive understanding of defence financial architecture is expected to further strengthen transparency and efficiency in the Department’s fiscal operations.
Holding Key Government Positions
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Arora served as Additional Secretary in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He has also held critical roles such as Finance Manager (Air) in the Acquisition Wing of the Ministry of Defence, and Director in the Ministry of Finance—demonstrating his versatility across key financial and administrative portfolios.
He was also appointed as the Integrated Financial Advisor (IFA) across various Commands and field establishments under the Defence Accounts Department. Notably, he served as Member (Finance) in the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board, contributing to fiscal management during a time of major structural changes in India’s defence manufacturing setup.
Strengthening Defence Finance Administration
As CGDA, Mr. Arora will lead the Defence Accounts Department, overseeing expenditure management and financial compliance across the three services—Army, Navy, and Air Force. His leadership is expected to drive further reforms aligned with India’s goals of modernizing defence financial systems and enhancing procurement transparency under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Also Read: Seasoned IDAS Officer Dr. Mayank Sharma Assumes Role of Financial Advisor to the Defence Services
