Topic hub

Defence

Explainers, previous-year questions and current affairs for this syllabus topic, in one place.

In the news

GS3 · Defence · Indigenisation

Swavlamban 2026: Navy’s fifth innovation and indigenisation seminar on 26–27 October

At a curtain raiser on 19 October 2026, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar announced the fifth edition of Swavlamban, the Navy’s flagship innovation and indigenisation seminar. It will be held on 26–27 October at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, where the Navy will release the NAUSETU interface standards and a technology compendium.

UPSC angle: Prelims: NIIO, iDEX, NBCD, NAUSETU, DAP 2020. · Mains GS-III: innovation-led defence self-reliance.

19 Oct 2026
GS3 · Security · Defence

INS Samarthak commissioned: Navy’s first indigenous multi-purpose vessel at Karwar

On 16 October 2026 Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan commissioned INS Samarthak, the Indian Navy's first indigenous multi-purpose vessel, at Naval Base Karwar (INS Kadamba), Karnataka. Built by Larsen & Toubro under Make in India with over 75% indigenous content, it is the first of two such vessels and is meant for surveillance, trials of indigenous sensors and weapons, unmanned systems support and HADR.

UPSC angle: Prelims: Karwar/INS Kadamba, multi-purpose vessel roles, Make in India. · Mains GS-III: defence indigenisation and private participation in naval shipbuilding.

16 Oct 2026