Why it is in the news
The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) of the Ministry of Defence has reviewed the sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) for the armed forces, which is in the final stage of approval and is expected to be promulgated within a couple of months, a senior official said, as reported by The Hindu on 5 October 2026. It will be the first DMA list in three years, and will consist mainly of items for the Navy and the Army.
The exam angle
Issue: Can mandated import substitution build a competitive defence-industrial base without compromising operational readiness?