Overview

• Directors of scientific institutions and university vice-chancellors are now authorized to make non-GeM purchases for specialized research equipment without central approval.
• The new rules double the direct purchase limit to ₹2 lakh and raise departmental committee thresholds to ₹2–25 lakh, while limited and advertised tender caps increase to ₹1 crore.
• Institutional heads can now approve Global Tender Enquiries of up to ₹200 crore, a function previously reserved for central authorities.
• The changes follow consultations led by the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office with insights from 13 IITs and multiple research bodies to align procedures with national innovation objectives.
• Authorities expect the reforms to reduce project delays and improve access to high-end instruments for entities including the DRDO, ICMR and ICAR.