A group of probationers of Indian Defence Accounts Service (2015 batch) called on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee today (January 2, 2017) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated the Indian Defence Accounts Service Officers for having succeeded in the civil services exam, one of the toughest examinations in the country. He said that established 267 years ago, the Defence Account department back then, was known as the military accounts department.  This department remained under the administrative control of the Ministry of Finance till 1983. On the introduction of the integrated financial advice scheme, it came under the control of the Defence Ministry.

The President said that the Indian armed forces have a huge responsibility to defend the nation. To achieve this objective, our armed forces should modernize. He said that the responsibility of the Defence Account cadre has always been onerous. In the scenario of ever increasing defence outlay, their responsibilities are only bound to increase. Their focus should not be only on the financial aspects but also on the overall defence scenario. Their role while rendering financial advice should be to facilitate the process. As watchdogs they need to be careful in discharging their duty of scrutinizing financial expenditure.

This release issued at 1930 hrs