Government has revised the General Financial Rules (GFR) to facilitate the procurement of scientific equipment and consumables for research institutions, including those involved in defence research. The amendments, announced on June 7, 2025, aim to enhance financial limits and simplify processes for scientific institutions.
Under the new rules, the financial limit for purchasing scientific equipment and consumables without quotations has been raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh. The Purchase Committee’s authority has also been increased, allowing approvals for procurements up to ₹25 lakh, up from the previous limit of ₹10 lakh. Additionally, the ceiling for procurement through limited tender enquiry (LTE) and advertised tender enquiry has been elevated from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.
For larger procurements, vice chancellors and directors of research institutions have been designated as competent authorities to approve global tender enquiries up to ₹200 crore, specifically for scientific equipment and consumables required for research purposes.
In the electronics and semiconductor research, this amendment to help ease procure of costly equipment for research.
The amendments are part of a broader effort to streamline administrative processes and empower research institutions to meet their equipment and consumable needs more efficiently. The updated rules are designed to support the operational requirements of scientific research while maintaining financial oversight.
