Major General CG Muralidharan, MG Medical of the Sapta Shakti Command, visited Alwar Military Station to evaluate the medical preparedness of the Gandiv Healers, a unit dedicated to ensuring the health and operational readiness of Indian Army personnel. The visit underscored the military’s commitment to enhancing peacetime healthcare as a strategy to minimize non-operational casualties, such as those caused by accidents, medical conditions, or other non-combat-related incidents.

During his inspection, Maj Gen Muralidharan emphasized the critical role of robust healthcare systems in maintaining the physical and mental fitness of troops and their families. He highlighted that ensuring peak health during peacetime directly contributes to reducing non-operational losses, aligning with broader initiatives like Project Sambandh, which focuses on supporting the families of army personnel lost to non-combat circumstances by addressing their financial, emotional, and social challenges. The initiative, launched to connect the next of kin with the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans, reflects a growing awareness of the need for comprehensive care beyond the battlefield.

The visit featured hands-on assessments, with personnel demonstrating medical procedures and discussing strategies to enhance healthcare delivery. These efforts mirror recent initiatives across the Indian Army, such as the inspection by Lt Gen Sadhna Nair at Rangapahar Military Station in February 2025, where the focus was similarly on operational effectiveness through medical support. The presence of high-ranking officials at such stations not only boosts morale but also reinforces the priority placed on the well-being of military personnel.

The Gandiv Division, part of the Chetak Corps, has a strong track record of prioritizing readiness. In 2023, the division represented the Indian Army at the Cambrian Patrol, a prestigious international military exercise often dubbed the “Olympics of military patrolling.” Hosted by the 160th (Welsh) Brigade, the event tests teams on navigation, leadership, and endurance, and the Gandiv Division’s participation reflects their ongoing commitment to maintaining mission-ready standards.

Maj Gen Muralidharan’s visit to Alwar Military Station highlights the Indian Army’s holistic approach to combat readiness, where compassionate care and operational excellence go hand in hand. By focusing on the health and well-being of its personnel, the Army ensures that its forces remain prepared for any challenge, operational or otherwise.

Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, the Army Commander of the Eastern Command and Colonel of the Kumaon & Naga Regiment and Kumaon Scouts, visited a Kumaon unit at Panagarh Military Station to conduct a comprehensive review of its operational preparedness. The visit underscored the Indian Army’s commitment to maintaining a high state of readiness amid evolving regional security challenges.

During his visit, Lt Gen Tiwari assessed the battalion’s capabilities to address contemporary and future threats, complimenting the unit for its robust operational readiness. He also shared valuable insights with the troops, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of modern warfare challenges. The event highlighted the strategic role of the Kumaon unit under the Brahmastra Corps, a Mountain Strike Corps established in 2013 to serve as a quick-reaction and counter-offensive force along India’s northern borders.

The Kumaon Regiment, with a storied history dating back to the 18th century, is one of the Indian Army’s most decorated infantry regiments. It has produced three Army Chiefs and played pivotal roles in several key operations, including the Siachen Glacier conflict, where its battalions demonstrated exceptional grit and discipline. The regiment’s legacy of valor and its strategic deployment under the Eastern Command make it a cornerstone of India’s defense framework.

The visit also featured interactions between Lt Gen Tiwari and the troops, including the presentation of awards and a formal address, reinforcing the Army’s focus on morale and operational excellence. The Eastern Command, headquartered in Kolkata, continues to play a critical role in safeguarding India’s eastern and northeastern frontiers, ensuring a strong and capable military presence in the region.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), visited the Indian Army’s Vajra Corps headquarters today as part of his ongoing tour of the Western Command. The visit focused on assessing the operational preparedness of the formation along the Western Front, a strategically vital region bordering Pakistan. General Dwivedi, who assumed the role of the 30th COAS in June 2024, was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command during the visit.

The General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, briefed General Dwivedi on the current security situation and operational dynamics along the Western borders. The COAS was updated on the Corps’ readiness posture, which is critical given the geopolitical sensitivity of the region. The Vajra Corps, established in 1950 to counter potential threats from Pakistan, plays a pivotal role in India’s defense strategy, particularly in Punjab, under the Western Command’s Area of Responsibility, which spans Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Jammu.

During the visit, General Dwivedi commended the personnel of Vajra Corps for their unwavering commitment, operational readiness, and professionalism. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the evolving security dynamics along the Western Front, urging the troops to remain vigilant and prepared for emerging challenges. The visit underscores the Indian Army’s focus on maintaining a robust defense posture in this critical sector.

This review aligns with the Indian Army’s broader vision under the “Decade of Transformation” (2023–2032), which includes 2025 being designated as the “Year of Reforms” by the Ministry of Defence. The initiative emphasizes technological absorption and self-reliance, with the Army having inducted 37 innovations and secured intellectual property rights for 25 of them by 2025. This push for indigenization reflects India’s commitment to building a future-ready force capable of addressing diverse threats in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

Accompanying the COAS, Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Women Welfare Association (AWWA), also reviewed welfare initiatives undertaken by the Vajra Corps. Her visit highlighted the Army’s holistic approach to supporting the well-being of families and ex-servicemen, ensuring comprehensive care for the military community.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), conducted a visit to the forward areas along India’s western borders on Saturday, where he reviewed the operational preparedness of the frontline troops stationed in the region. The visit included a detailed inspection at the Headquarters of the Panther Division in Amritsar, a formation renowned for its historical contributions to India’s defence.

During his visit, General Dwivedi was briefed on the operational aspects and the prevailing security situation in the region. He interacted with the troops, commending their professionalism and steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation. The COAS urged the soldiers to embrace cutting-edge technologies, aligning with the Indian Army’s transformation roadmap aimed at achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. This initiative emphasizes technological innovation and self-reliance, key pillars of India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.

The Panther Division, established in 1964, has a distinguished legacy, notably for hoisting the first Indian flag in Western Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Over the decades, the division has played a crucial role in defending India’s borders while also contributing to nation-building through humanitarian efforts.

General Dwivedi’s emphasis on technology adoption reflects the Indian Army’s ongoing “Decade of Transformation” (2023–2032), a strategic roadmap to modernize India’s defense capabilities. As part of this initiative, the Army has already inducted 37 innovations and secured 25 intellectual property rights, underscoring its commitment to fostering indigenous solutions and building a robust defense manufacturing ecosystem. These efforts are poised to redefine India’s defense landscape by combining resilience, innovation, and self-reliance to strengthen national security.

The visit comes at a time when the Indian Army continues to prioritize operational excellence and modernization, ensuring that its troops remain well-equipped to address contemporary security challenges while contributing to the nation’s long-term development goals.

The Aviation Combat Tactics Course (ACTC) concluded today at Nagtalao, marking the successful training of 10 combat aviators from the Indian Army’s Attack Helicopter platforms. The course, conducted by the Thar Raptors Brigade, emphasized mission planning, operational excellence, target engagement, and evasive maneuvers under near-real combat conditions, preparing the aviators for the demands of modern warfare.

The program was overseen by the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CATS) in Nashik, a premier institution under the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Shimla, known for its rigorous training modules. Maj Gen Abhinaya Rai, Commandant of CATS, felicitated the student officers during the closing ceremony, commending their dedication and the Thar Raptors Brigade for its exceptional efforts in executing the course. Maj Gen Rai, who assumed leadership of CATS in December 2024, has been instrumental in advancing training methodologies to meet evolving operational needs.

The Indian Army Aviation Corps, established in 1986, plays a critical role in combat search and rescue, logistics support, medical evacuation, and tactical operations. The corps currently operates helicopters such as the HAL Chetak, Cheetah, and Dhruv, though many of these ageing aircraft are in need of replacement with modern platforms to enhance tactical lift and combat capabilities. The ACTC is part of ongoing efforts to ensure aviators are equipped to handle diverse missions, including reconnaissance, observation, and special forces operations, often in challenging terrains.

The ceremony also highlighted the Army Aviation Corps’ commitment to maintaining high operational standards, with the Thar Raptors Brigade earning praise for its professionalism. This training initiative underscores the Indian Army’s focus on strengthening its aviation capabilities amid the evolving demands of modern warfare.

The School of Artillery at the Artillery Centre in Nashik Road recently hosted a group of young officers for an immersive drone training session, focusing on next-generation warfare technologies. The visit, part of their ongoing course, aimed to deepen their understanding of drone operations and handling, a critical skill in modern military strategies.

The officers gained hands-on experience in the Drone Maneuver Battlefield Arena, a specialized facility designed to simulate real-world combat scenarios. They were also introduced to various drone platforms currently employed in training at the School of Artillery. This initiative underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies into its operations, aligning with the Regiment of Artillery’s broader modernization efforts.

The Artillery Centre in Nashik has been a key hub for such advancements, building on its legacy as a premier army training institution. The Indian Army’s Southern Command emphasized that this training is a step toward preparing officers for the evolving nature of warfare, where drones play an increasingly vital role in counter-insurgency operations, offering precision targeting with minimal collateral damage.

This program also reflects the Army’s strategic shift toward self-reliance in defense technologies. In 2023, the Southern Command launched initiatives to reduce dependence on costly imported equipment, fostering collaboration with academia, industry, and startups to develop indigenous solutions. The drone training at Nashik is a testament to the Army’s ongoing “Decade of Transformation,” aiming to equip its forces with cutting-edge tools to address contemporary security challenges.