India and France Conclude Joint Military Exercise 'SHAKTI 2026'
The 8th edition of the bilateral military exercise 'SHAKTI' between the Indian Army and the French Army concluded in Meghalaya, focusing on counter-terrorism.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- 8th edition of Exercise SHAKTI held in Umroi, Meghalaya.
- Bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and the French Army.
- Focused on counter-terrorism and semi-urban warfare under UN mandate.
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. Exercise SHAKTI is a bilateral military exercise between India and which country?
- USA
- France
- Russia
- Japan
Explanation: Exercise SHAKTI is the bilateral army exercise between India and France. Garuda is for the Air Force and Varuna is for the Navy.
Q2. Where was the 2026 edition of Exercise SHAKTI conducted?
- Rajasthan
- Uttarakhand
- Meghalaya
- Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: The 8th edition of Exercise SHAKTI was conducted at the Umroi Training Node in Meghalaya.
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.