GS3 · Defence · GS2 · International RelationsThe fifth edition of the India–Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND began on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, and runs till 1 November. About 120 soldiers from each army will train for sub-conventional operations in island and coastal terrain under a UN Chapter VII mandate. For the first time, New Zealand has sent observers.
UPSC angle: Prelims: exercise names, venues, partner countries, UN Chapter VII. · Mains GS-III: defence diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.
20 Oct 2026GS3 · Internal security / defenceThe Indian Navy launched Shreyas (Yard 3040), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, at GRSE Kolkata on 10 October 2026. NGOPVs are being built at two shipyards, GSL Goa and GRSE Kolkata, for surveillance, search and rescue, offshore asset protection, disaster relief and anti-piracy. Shreyas means best or most excellent in Sanskrit.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ship names and shipyards. · Mains GS-III: defence indigenisation.
10 Oct 2026GS2 · Diaspora / GS3 · SecurityBetween July and October 2026 MEA issued a series of statements on attacks on merchant ships carrying Indian crew in the Strait of Hormuz, off Oman, in the Red Sea and in the Black Sea. Several Indian seafarers were killed or injured. On 7 October India again asked for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers.
UPSC angle: Prelims: straits and ports in news. · Mains GS-II: diaspora; GS-III: maritime security.
7 Oct 2026GS3 · DefenceExercise Tarang Shakti 2026, the Indian Air Force's multilateral air exercise, runs from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur under the theme "Power in Partnership". Seven countries take part: Australia, the USA, the UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The first edition was held in 2024.
UPSC angle: Prelims: host service and venue; participants.
27 Sep 2026GS2 · Quad, Indo-PacificOn 25 September 2026 the Indian Coast Guard ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai to Perth, Australia, under the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission. Six Sea Riders from India, Japan, Australia and the United States are on board to build interoperability and trust among Quad coast guards.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Quad members; MAHASAGAR expansion. · Mains: Quad beyond military: maritime domain awareness and coast-guard cooperation.
25 Sep 2026GS2 · India–Central/East AsiaThe 18th edition of the India-Mongolia joint military exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT began on 21 September 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, and runs to 3 October. It is an annual platoon-level exercise held in India and Mongolia by turns. Each side sends 45 personnel to train for counter-insurgency in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Nomadic Elephant = Mongolia.
21 Sep 2026 
