{"id":7810,"date":"2025-03-18T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.khanglobalstudies.com\/blog\/?p=7810"},"modified":"2025-03-17T17:40:06","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T12:10:06","slug":"ordnance-factory-day-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.khanglobalstudies.com\/blog\/ordnance-factory-day-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Ordnance Factory Day 2025: Historical Background & Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination & Services) (DOO(C&S)) is an authority under the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India. It plays a crucial role in managing, coordinating, and overseeing ordnance production by public sector units. DOO(C&S) serves as the regulatory body overseeing Indian Ordnance Factories and its administrative civil service, the Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously known as the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the Government of India restructured 41 ordnance factories into seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in 2021. However, in 2024, the government announced the re-merger of these units to optimize the production cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Historical Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The legacy of Indian Ordnance Factories predates major Indian institutions like the Indian Army and Indian Railways. The roots of Indian ordnance production can be traced back to 1712, with the establishment of a gunpowder factory at Ichapur by the Dutch Ostend Company. Subsequently, several new factories were established during the 18th and 19th centuries under British rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Milestones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/td>Event<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
1712<\/strong><\/td>Dutch Ostend Company established a gunpowder factory at Ichapur.<\/td><\/tr>
1775<\/strong><\/td>Establishment of the Ordnance Board at Fort William, Kolkata.<\/td><\/tr>
1787<\/strong><\/td>Second gunpowder factory established at Ishapore.<\/td><\/tr>
1791<\/strong><\/td>Gunpowder production started at Ishapore.<\/td><\/tr>
1801<\/strong><\/td>Establishment of the Gun Carriage Agency in Cossipore, Kolkata.<\/td><\/tr>
1802<\/strong><\/td>Production began at the Cossipore Factory on March 18.<\/td><\/tr>
1935<\/strong><\/td>Introduction of the Indian Ordnance Service for managing defence production.<\/td><\/tr>
1954<\/strong><\/td>Renaming of the Indian Ordnance Service to the Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)<\/td><\/tr>
1979<\/strong><\/td>Establishment of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) on April 2.<\/td><\/tr>
2021<\/strong><\/td>OFB disbanded and reorganized into seven DPSUs.<\/td><\/tr>
2024<\/strong><\/td>Government announced the merger of these DPSUs.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Contribution to Indian Defence and Industry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Indian Ordnance Factories have significantly strengthened India’s defence system by supplying arms and ammunition to the armed forces during wartime. These factories have also contributed to India’s industrial revolution, facilitating the establishment of industries related to steel, aluminum, copper, and chemicals. Furthermore, they have played a role in the foundation of leading research organizations like ISRO, DRDO, BDL, BEL, BEML, and SAIL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restructuring of OFB into Seven DPSUs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On June 17, 2021, the Ministry of Defence announced the restructuring of OFB into seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and modernization. From October 1, 2021, the management and operations of all ordnance factories were handed over to these newly formed DPSUs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n