Exercise Sudarshan Shakti 2026: Indian Army's Integrated Drill
The Indian Army conducted the 'Sudarshan Shakti 2026' exercise in the western sector to test integrated combat capabilities.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- Conducted by the South Western Command of the Indian Army.
- Focused on the 'Integrated Battle Groups' (IBG) concept.
- Involved integration of drones and electronic warfare.
- Aimed at validating combat readiness in the western sector.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 3–5 | Defence acquisitions, military exercises, and appointments appear in SSC GK. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Medium | 4–8 | UPSC focuses on strategic aspects: defence policy, Indo-Pacific, border issues, and bilateral defence deals. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- Military exercise: name, participating countries, location, purpose
- Defence acquisition: system name, purpose, procured from which country
- Appointments: new Chief of Army Staff, CNS, CAS, and their tenures
- Indigenization: 'Made in India' defence milestones, first-ever systems
- Strategic policy: recent changes to defence export policy, FDI limits in defence
Practice Questions
Q1. Which command of the Indian Army conducted Exercise Sudarshan Shakti 2026?
- Northern Command
- Eastern Command
- South Western Command
- Southern Command
Explanation: The exercise was conducted by the South Western Command of the Indian Army.
Q2. What is the primary focus of the 'Integrated Battle Groups' (IBG) concept?
- Cyber security only
- Agile and self-sufficient combat formations
- Recruitment of soldiers
- Building border roads
Explanation: IBGs are agile, self-sufficient, and brigade-sized combat formations meant for swift action.
How to Prepare Defence for Government Exams
For every military exercise, note: India + Partner country + Purpose (bilateral or multilateral). Questions are pattern-based.
Defence indigenization ('Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence') is a high-priority topic for 2025–26. Focus on systems developed by DRDO or HAL.
Chiefs of defence services change periodically. Always keep the current CDS, Army Chief, Navy Chief, and Air Chief up to date.