The office was initially started on 1.1.1986 as the O/o the JCDA(R&D)Bangalore in the premises of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment(GTRE) Bangalore as a sub office of CDA(R&D) NewDelhi to cater to the needs of a few DRDO Labs in Banglaore. 

The Office was shifted into a new building inaugurated by the then Financial Adviser(Defence Services), Shri B.V.Adavi, IDAS on 4.8.1991. It grew in strength to meet the requirements of various new DRDO labs & estts established in Bangalore and other places like Kochi, Avadi and Mysore. 

The office was upgraded as an independent Controller's office w.e.f 1.4.1994 with a self accounting system since 1.8.1994. Two sub offices - one each in NPOL,Kochi & CVRDE Avadi were initially created and a new one was added at DFRL Mysore on 1.4.2005.

Apart from the services provided to various DRDO Labs/Estts, CDA(R&D) was also imparting training to Officers and Staff of Defence Accounts Department under the Regional Training Centre(RTC)(Southern Region) until the creation of a separate Controller's office - CDA(RTC)(SR) on 01.12.2009.