Procurement boost: Centre doubles cap for direct scientific purchases; researchers get more autonomy

In a bid to speed up scientific research and enhance institutional autonomy, the Centre has revised financial ceilings under the General Financial Rules (GFRs) for procurement of scientific equipment and consumables, ANI reported on Friday. The Finance Ministry notified that vice-chancellors, directors, and academic institutions under specified departments and ministries will now be allowed to make non-Government e-Marketplace (GeM) purchases with relaxed limits and fewer procedural constraints. The move is aimed at reducing procurement delays and giving research institutions greater operational flexibility. According to the new rules, institutions can procure scientific instruments and consumables worth up to Rs 2 lakh without needing quotations — a significant increase from the earlier Rs 1 lakh limit. Purchase committees can now approve procurements up to Rs 25 lakh, up from the previous Rs 10 lakh cap. In another key reform, vice-chancellors and directors have been empowered to approve global tenders for procurements up to Rs 200 crore. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh welcomed the move, posting on X: “Here is some heartening news and a major breakthrough for young aspiring #StartUps, Innovators and Researchers: In a landmark step enabling #EaseOfDoingResearch, the GFR rules have been simplified for procurement of scientific equipment and consumables.” “This will reduce delays and also enhance autonomy and flexibility for research institutions — empowering them to innovate faster,” he added in the post. The new limits apply to departments such as science and technology, biotechnology, scientific and industrial research, atomic energy, space, earth sciences, and health research, including institutions under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), according to the Finance Ministry. Additionally, the relaxed procurement norms extend to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and affiliated universities and institutes offering postgraduate and doctoral-level programmes across ministries.