The Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE), under the Ministry of Defence, celebrated Defence Estates Day 2025 with solemnity and pride at Raksha Sampada Bhawan, Delhi Cantonment, on 16 December 2025. Gracing the occasion, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh described the Defence Estates Organisation as a shining example of transparency, efficiency and accountability, embodying the administrative ethos required to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
As DGDE enters its 100th year of service to the nation, the Raksha Mantri commended the organisation’s evolution as a ground-oriented institution while urging it to remain future-ready through a sustainable culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
DGDE’s Role in Modern, Accountable Governance
Praising DGDE’s efforts in digital land records, use of satellite imagery and encroachment removal, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted how the organisation has adapted to modern governance needs. He also lauded DGDE’s initiatives in environment conservation, education and skill development, noting that cantonments are emerging as models where security and sustainability go hand in hand.
“Making cantonments green and clean, working on water conservation and adopting a scientific approach to waste management show that security and sustainability can coexist. Students living in cantonments excelling in Artificial Intelligence and robotics reflect the need to connect our children with both tradition and technology,” he said.
Innovation and Annual Challenge Statements
To address both long-standing issues and emerging challenges, the Raksha Mantri urged DGDE to introduce Annual Challenge Statements every year. He suggested inviting experienced officers, young professionals and subject experts to propose innovative solutions to persistent problems such as rent recovery cases and lease compliance disputes.
“This approach will not only lead to incremental improvements but also bring about transformative change. It will help DGDE evolve into a learning institution that is agile, solution-oriented and future-ready,” he stated.
Strengthening Litigation Handling and Preventive Governance
Highlighting the significant time and resources consumed by litigation related to defence land, Shri Rajnath Singh stressed the need to strengthen litigation handling capacity and make it more intelligent and predictable. He recommended creating a real-time, integrated system capturing details such as case timelines, current status, next hearings, performance of legal counsel and financial exposure.
“Better land records, robust documentation, early dispute resolution and stronger coordination with civil authorities can shift us from reactive litigation management to preventive land governance,” he emphasised.
Citizen-Centric Cantonment Governance
As cantonments undergo modernisation, the Raksha Mantri said DGDE has a unique opportunity to become a benchmark for citizen-centric urban governance. He proposed developing a Citizen Satisfaction Index for cantonments, based on objective and measurable service outcomes, to improve accountability and transparency while identifying areas for improvement.
He also underscored the importance of institutional credibility and public perception, describing transparency, integrity and rule-based governance as the cornerstones of good governance. “Every decision and every file we sign should strengthen the credibility of our institutions. This is our collective responsibility,” he said.
Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2025
On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh conferred the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence in Public Service 2025, recognising outstanding achievements by Cantonment Boards and Defence Estates Offices across the country in defence land management and municipal administration.
Award Categories and Winners:
Swachh Chhawani–Swasth Chhawani
-
Category A: Cantonment Board, Deolali
-
Category B: Cantonment Board, Barrackpore
-
Category C: Cantonment Board, Varanasi
Digital Accomplishments (DEOs)
-
Jointly: DEO, Jabalpur Circle and DEO, Pathankot Circle
Innovation in Public Services
-
Cantonment Board, Delhi
Land and Record Management
-
Category A: DEO, Prayagraj
-
Category B: DEO, Itanagar
Improvement in Cantonment General Hospital
-
Category A: Cantonment Board, Khadki
-
Category B: Cantonment Board, Landsdowne
Implementation of e-Chhawani Project
-
Cantonment Board, Nasirabad
Maintaining Centres for Divyang Children
-
Cantonment Board, Belgavi
Improvement in Cantonment Board Schools
-
Primary/Middle Schools: Cantonment Board, Ahilyanagar
-
Secondary/Senior Secondary Schools: Cantonment Board, Lucknow
Launch of Citizen-Centric Digital Initiatives
The Raksha Mantri dedicated three major citizen-centric initiatives to cantonment residents:
-
Nationwide Telemedicine Services
Telemedicine facilities from Delhi Cantonment General Hospital have been extended to all 61 Cantonment Boards, with support from AIIMS, New Delhi. Services include tele-consultations in Medicine, ENT, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Psychiatry, along with tele-education and workshops. -
Integration of e-Chhawani with ABAS
The integration of the e-Chhawani module with the Accrual Based Accounting System (ABAS) links financial management directly with citizen services. APIs developed by DGDE in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) enable real-time payments, receipts and service requests through a unified platform. -
DEMAP Integration with PM GatiShakti
The Defence Estates Mapping Portal (DEMAP) has been integrated with PM GatiShakti, enabling transparent and efficient defence land management through advanced GIS-based, multi-layered digital mapping linked to Raksha Bhoomi land records.
Publications and Distinguished Presence
Shri Rajnath Singh also released two booklets—‘Strategic Roadmap to Developed India @ 2047’ and ‘Water Conservation Initiatives of DGDE’—highlighting DGDE’s long-term vision and sustainability initiatives.
The event was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence R&D) and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V. Kamat, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Shri Raj Kumar Arora, Director General Defence Estates Smt Shobha Gupta, and other senior officers.
Conclusion
The celebration of Defence Estates Day 2025 marked a historic milestone as DGDE completed 100 years of dedicated service to the nation. With renewed emphasis on transparency, innovation, citizen-centric governance and digital transformation, the Defence Estates Organisation stands poised to play a pivotal role in building a Viksit Bharat, exemplifying accountable administration, sustainable development and public welfare in the decades ahead.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
