Defence & Security Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 01 Oct 2026
HQ Integrated Defence Staff marks 25 years; 'Trishakti Manthan' held
Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), set up on 1 October 2001, celebrated its Silver Jubilee on 1 October 2026 with 'Trishakti Manthan' under the theme 'Future readiness through jointness & Integration'.
INS Trishul takes part in 24th India–France naval exercise Varuna at Toulon
INS Trishul reached Toulon, France, on 22 September 2026 for the 24th edition of Varuna, the annual bilateral maritime exercise of the Indian and French navies (reported 1 October 2026).
Stealth frigate INS Tarkash makes goodwill port call at Mombasa, Kenya
Indian Navy stealth frigate INS Tarkash arrived at Mombasa, Kenya, on 29 September 2026 for a goodwill port call in the spirit of MAHASAGAR.
Wed, 30 Sept 2026
ICG and Gujarat ATS seize 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth over ₹3,000 crore from Iranian dhow
On 30 September 2026 the Centre announced that the Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS, with central agencies, had seized about 526 kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth over ₹3,000 crore from an Iranian dhow west of Lakshadweep and arrested five Pakistani nationals.
Senior LeT commander Musa alias Asif Fauji killed in Budgam under 'Operation Sheruwali'
On 30 September 2026 security forces killed senior Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Musa alias Asif Fauji at Gurwatkalan, Khansahib (Budgam district, J&K), in an operation that was part of 'Operation Sheruwali' started in May 2026.
Second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) begins at Subic Bay, Philippines
The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) began at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 28 September 2026 with INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish, under the theme 'Anchored in Trust, United at Sea'.
Tue, 29 Sept 2026
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approves 20% horizontal reservation for former Agniveers and projects worth over ₹24,500 crore
On 29 September 2026 the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav approved 20% horizontal reservation for former Agniveers in five uniformed services and proposals worth over ₹24,500 crore.
India and South Korea hold 10th Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics in New Delhi
The 10th India–Republic of Korea Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics was held in New Delhi on 29 September 2026.
Mon, 28 Sept 2026
Amit Shah opens 'PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy' conference, launches new Extradition Portal
On 28 September 2026 Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the conference on 'PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy' in New Delhi and launched a new Extradition Portal to speed up bringing back fugitives from abroad.
Indian contingent leaves for 9th India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND-2026 at Oskemen
A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent left on 28 September 2026 for Oskemen, Kazakhstan, for the ninth edition of the India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND, held from 28 September to 11 October 2026.
Sat, 26 Sept 2026
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 opens at Jodhpur with seven partner air forces under the theme 'Power in Partnership'
The second edition of the IAF's multilateral air exercise Tarang Shakti was inaugurated at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 26 September 2026 and runs until 12 October, with air forces of seven friendly foreign countries.
CBN Rajasthan unit seizes nearly four tonnes of contraband including 3,937 kg poppy straw
The Central Bureau of Narcotics said on 26 September 2026 that its Rajasthan unit seized 3,937 kg of poppy straw (doda chura), 9.6 kg of opium and 1.9 kg of hydroponic cannabis in operations over the past weeks.
Fri, 25 Sept 2026
INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish conclude participation in 23rd ADMM-Plus maritime security activity at Subic Bay
INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish concluded their participation in the 23rd ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Maritime Security Joint Cooperation Activity at Subic Bay, Philippines, with the closing ceremony on 25 September 2026.
ICG Ship Shaunak sails from Chennai to Perth for QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission
On 25 September 2026 Indian Coast Guard Ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai for Perth, Australia, under the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission with Sea Riders from all four Quad countries on board.
DRI seizes 1.25 lakh kg smuggled areca nuts and 41,697 kg poppy seeds worth ₹20.31 crore in Mizoram and Assam
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said on 25 September 2026 that it seized 1,25,680 kg of foreign-origin areca nuts and 41,697 kg of foreign-origin poppy seeds, worth about ₹20.31 crore, in two operations in Mizoram and Assam.
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
Wed, 23 Sept 2026
Defence Ministry signs ₹811 crore contract with BDL for 160 SAT-SAAW glide bombs for the IAF
On 23 September 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for 160 Satellite Smart Anti Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) for the Indian Air Force.
INS Sudarshini arrives at Alexandria, Egypt, on its second visit during the Lokayan 26 expedition
On 23 September 2026, the Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Alexandria, Egypt, its second visit to the port during the 10-month Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition.
Tue, 22 Sept 2026
INS Trishul arrives at Toulon, France, for the 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA
On 22 September 2026, INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, to take part in the 24th edition of VARUNA, the bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.
IAF–Japan air exercise Veer Guardian 2026 concludes at Air Force Station Jodhpur
On 22 September 2026, the bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian 2026 between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
Mon, 21 Sept 2026
13th India–Sri Lanka maritime exercise SLINEX-26 concludes at Visakhapatnam
On 21 September 2026, the 13th edition of the India–Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-26 concluded at Visakhapatnam after running from 17 to 21 September.
18th India–Mongolia joint military exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT begins at Pithoragarh
On 21 September 2026, the 18th edition of the India–Mongolia joint military exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT began at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, and will run until 3 October 2026.
Defence Ministry signs ₹586 crore contract for Auxiliary Power Units for T-72 and T-90 tanks
On 21 September 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹586 crore contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Pvt Ltd to procure Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for the Army's T-72 and T-90 tanks.
Sun, 20 Sept 2026
IAF's Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performs over Meerut for the first time
On 19 and 20 September 2026, the Indian Air Force's Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) performed over Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, for the first time, drawing more than 1 lakh spectators.
INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish arrive at Subic Bay, Philippines, for ADMM-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity
On 20 September 2026, Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines, to take part in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (ADMM-Plus JCA).
Fri, 18 Sept 2026
HAL hands over 2 Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers and 3 HTT-40 trainers to IAF, 4 Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans
On 18 September 2026, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over two LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance (FOC) twin-seat trainers and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the IAF, and four Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited, in Bengaluru.
Keel laid for first Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) of Indian Navy at Cochin Shipyard
On 18 September 2026, the keel of the first ship of the Indian Navy's Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project was laid at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
CORE Programme 2026 on national security concludes at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
On 18 September 2026, the Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme 2026, organised by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and conducted by CENJOWS, concluded at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
Thu, 17 Sept 2026
43rd Indian Coast Guard Commanders' Conference begins in New Delhi
On 17 September 2026, the three-day 43rd Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders' Conference began in New Delhi, with Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth addressing the commanders on the opening day.
Steel cutting held for second Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) at Cochin Shipyard
On 17 September 2026, the steel cutting ceremony of the second ship of the Indian Navy's Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.