The Defence Estates Officer (DEO), Itanagar Circle, Gokul Mahajan, has been conferred the Raksha Mantri Award, 2025. He got the award for exemplary service, professional excellence, and significant contributions in the management and development of defence land and records.
The award was presented by Rajnath Singh during the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2025 ceremony.
Key Facts related to Raksha Mantri Award, 2025:
To begin with, the Raksha Mantri Award for Excellence, 2025 was conferred on Gokul Mahajan, who serves as Defence Estate Officer (DEO), Itanagar Circle.
Importantly, the award recognises his significant contributions in the areas of defence land management. Moreover, it also recognises contributions for cantonment administration, and record modernisation through governance reforms.
Additionally, his work has previously received national recognition. He is a three-time recipient of national awards conferred by the President of India for outstanding performance in cantonment management and development.
About Defence Estates Organisation (DEO):
To begin with, the Defence Estates Organisation (DEO) functions under the Ministry of Defence.
Primarily, it is responsible for the management of defence land and properties across the country. Alongside this, the organisation oversees the administration of cantonments, ensuring effective local governance.
Moreover, the DEO plays a crucial role in the prevention of encroachments on defence land. At the same time, it undertakes the digitisation and systematic maintenance of land records to improve transparency and efficiency.
Overall, the Defence Estates Organisation contributes significantly to defence preparedness, urban governance, and civil–military coordination. All these make it an important institution from a governance and security perspective.
What are the Significances of Raksha Mantri Award, 2025?
- From a governance and administration approach, this recognition highlights best practices in public service delivery. In particular, it emphasises the importance of efficient land governance. It is a critical component of effective defence administration.
- From the viewpoint of defence and internal security, proper management of defence land is essential for strategic infrastructure development, military readiness. Moreover, it also helps in the prevention of land-related disputes that can adversely affect national security.
- Moreover, in terms of ethics and public service, the award reflects core values such as integrity, professional excellence, accountability, and commitment to public duty. Consequently, it serves as a strong real-life example for case studies on ethical leadership and administrative efficiency.
- Additionally, the recognition of a civil officer in defence administration underlines the critical role of non-combat functions in national security.
- Finally, repeated national recognition points towards institutional continuity, reform-oriented leadership, and result-driven governance. All these make it relevant for questions on defence reforms, land governance, and civil services excellence in competitive examinations.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Raksha Mantri Award, 2025 conferred on the Defence Estates Officer (DEO), Itanagar Circle, highlights the growing importance of efficient defence land management and governance reforms. It also shows administrative excellence in India’s security framework. At the same time, it reinforces the role of civil services in defence administration, particularly in land governance, record modernisation, and cantonment management. Moreover, the recognition reflects strong values of ethical leadership, accountability, and professional integrity, making it highly relevant for APPSC GS II and GS IV current affairs.
Prelims Practice Question:
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Raksha Mantri Award for Excellence, 2025:
- The Raksha Mantri Award for Excellence is conferred for outstanding service in defence administration and governance reforms.
- The Defence Estates Organisation functions under the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for the management of defence land and cantonments.
- Digitisation and modernisation of defence land records fall within the mandate of the Defence Estates Organisation.
- The Raksha Mantri Award for Excellence is presented by the President of India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1 and 4 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Source: Arunachal Times
FAQ:
Gokul Mahajan, DEO, Itanagar Circle, received the Raksha Mantri Award for Excellence, 2025. He received the award for exemplary service and governance reforms in defence land management, cantonment administration, and record modernisation.
The Defence Estates Organisation works under the Ministry of Defence. It manages defence land, cantonments, encroachment prevention, and digitised land records, supporting military readiness and civil–military coordination.
