The Indian Army began the PRAGATI 2026 at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya on 20 May 2026. The two‑week exercise involves troops from India and twelve friendly countries – Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Key Developments
- Allied forces will conduct counter‑terrorism operations in semi‑mountainous and jungle terrain.
- The programme includes joint planning exercises, tactical‑level drills and coordinated maneuvers.
- Physical fitness, discipline and coordination will be emphasized to improve troop endurance in challenging conditions.
- Indian defence firms will showcase indigenous equipment under the Atmanirbhar Bharat drive, highlighting home‑grown defence capabilities.
- Major General Sunil Sheoran, ADG (Infantry), stressed the need for collective engagement to meet contemporary security challenges.
Important Facts
The exercise will be held at Umroi, a forward base in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, offering semi‑mountainous and dense‑forest terrain ideal for realistic counter‑terrorism drills. Participation of twelve neighbouring and Indian‑Ocean nations underscores India’s role as a security hub in the Indian Ocean Region.
Exam Relevance
Understanding PRAGATI helps aspirants grasp India’s defence diplomacy, regional security architecture, and the use of multilateral exercises to project power. The focus on counter‑terrorism aligns with India’s internal security challenges. The showcase of indigenous defence technology under Atmanirbhar Bharat reflects the government’s push for self‑reliance, a recurring theme in GS3 and GS4.
Way Forward
Future editions may expand participation to more Indo‑Pacific nations, deepening maritime cooperation. Continuous emphasis on joint training will improve interoperability, while the indigenous showcase will encourage further investment in domestic defence R&D. For policymakers, sustaining such exercises supports India’s strategic objectives of regional stability, capacity building and self‑reliant defence production.