The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan inaugurated a two‑day CBRN Conclave organised by the DRDO at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on 26‑27 February 2026. The event gathered senior officials from the Armed Forces, CAPFs, the NDRF and other stakeholders to strengthen India’s preparedness against CBRN threats.
Key Developments
- CDS praised DRDO’s strides toward self‑reliance in CBRN defence technologies and quoted PM Narendra Modi on India’s resolve against nuclear blackmail.
- Emphasis on treating CBRN as an environment rather than a mere threat, urging development of indigenous early‑warning systems, lightweight Individual Protective Equipment (IPE) and robust Standard Operating Procedures.
- DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat highlighted specialised labs dedicated to CBRN technology and called for peer learning.
- DG Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Vice Admiral Arti Sarin lauded the Vikiran Prehri programme for building medical capacity.
- DG (Soldier Support System) Dr U.K. Singh outlined the conclave’s agenda to devise scenario‑based plans guiding rapid technology development.
Important Facts
The conclave focused on integrating stakeholder perspectives into training modules and technology infusion. It underscored the creation of a national network‑centric command‑and‑control framework leveraging AI/ML‑driven sensors for real‑time CBRN detection. The event also stressed the need for fast‑track development of indigenous CBRN equipment to reduce dependence on imports.
UPSC Relevance
Understanding CBRN preparedness touches multiple GS papers: GS 2 (Polity) – role of CDS, DRDO and inter‑agency coordination; GS 3 (Science & Technology, Economy, Disaster Management) – indigenous R&D, AI/ML applications, self‑reliance under ‘Make in India’; GS 4 (Security) – strategic implications of CBRN threats and national resilience. The emphasis on “environmental” framing of CBRN aligns with contemporary security discourse on non‑traditional threats.
Way Forward
- Accelerate indigenous development of early‑warning sensors, IPE and decontamination kits through DRDO‑AFMS collaborations.
- Institutionalise regular joint drills involving Armed Forces, CAPFs and NDRF to test SOPs in simulated CBRN scenarios.
- Expand the Vikiran Prehri model to other medical institutions for wider capacity building.
- Deploy AI/ML‑enabled sensor networks across critical infrastructure to ensure rapid detection and response.
- Formulate a comprehensive national CBRN policy integrating defence, health, and disaster management ministries, ensuring budgetary allocations and legislative backing.