India and Japan Commences Joint Military Exercise 'Dharma Guardian 2026'
The 7th edition of the joint military exercise 'Dharma Guardian' between India and Japan commenced today at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- 7th edition of 'Dharma Guardian' commenced in Rajasthan.
- Joint military exercise between India and Japan.
- Focus on counter-terrorism and interoperability.
- Held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges.
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. |
| Railway (RRB NTPC / Group D) | High | 3–5 | Army, Navy, and Air Force current events are regularly tested in Railway GK. |
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. 'Dharma Guardian' is a joint military exercise between India and which country?
- USA
- Japan
- France
- Australia
Explanation: Dharma Guardian is an annual joint military exercise between India and Japan.
Q2. Where is the 2026 edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian being held?
- Hokkaido, Japan
- Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
- Mahajan, Rajasthan
- Umroi, Meghalaya
Explanation: The 2026 edition is being held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.
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.