On 14 May 2026, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth will open the third edition of Kalam & Kavach at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The conference, themed “Taking JAI Forward With I²”, aims to steer India’s defence transformation toward greater self‑reliance, jointness and innovation.
Key Developments
- Inauguration by the Defence Minister on 14 May 2026, marking the 3rd edition of the conference.
- Strategic focus on Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation (JAI) and I².
- High‑level participation including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, senior MoD officials, DRDO, NSAB, foreign ambassadors and leading defence corporations.
- Sessions on AI‑enabled warfare, autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons, quantum‑enabled C4ISR, space threats and tri‑service integration.
- Showcase of MSME participation, iDEX-driven ecosystems, defence industrial corridors and co‑development models.
Important Facts
The conference will feature keynote addresses, fireside chats and industry‑partner interactions. A special address by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will underline the need for seamless tri‑service coordination. Topics such as hypersonic glide vehicles, quantum communication, low‑earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite threats and indigenous production scalability are slated for discussion, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Exam Relevance
For GS‑2 (Polity), the event illustrates the role of the Raksha Rajya Mantri in steering national security policy and coordinating inter‑ministerial efforts. In GS‑3 (Economy & Defence), the emphasis on JAI and I² reflects the shift towards a self‑reliant defence industrial base, crucial for the Make‑in‑India agenda. Discussions on AI, autonomous systems and C4ISR link directly to contemporary security challenges and technology policy, topics frequently examined in GS‑4 (Ethics & Integrity) regarding responsible use of emerging weapons.
Way Forward
To translate conference outcomes into actionable policy, the Ministry should formalise public‑private partnership frameworks, accelerate technology transfer through iDEX, and strengthen defence industrial corridors for MSMEs. Continuous monitoring of AI and quantum‑enabled C4ISR capabilities will ensure India stays ahead in the evolving security environment, supporting the broader goal of a Viksit Bharat@2047.