Context:
- Vijay Divas was commemorated at Army House, marking India’s decisive victory in the 1971 India–Pakistan War.
- The event underscored the Indian Army’s transformation into a technologically advanced and self-reliant force, aligned with national defence indigenisation goals.
- President Droupadi Murmu attended the commemorative ceremony, lending constitutional and symbolic significance.
Key Highlights:
Historical Significance:
- The 1971 India–Pakistan War led to the liberation of Bangladesh, reshaping South Asia’s geopolitical landscape.
- Vijay Divas commemorates military leadership, strategic planning, and joint operations of the Indian Armed Forces.
Indigenous Defence Technologies Showcased:
- Exhibition of homegrown defence technologies developed by the Indian Army ecosystem.
- Technologies demonstrated dual-use potential — applicable for military operations, disaster response, and infrastructure development.
Stakeholder Collaboration:
- Strong synergy between soldiers, defence engineers, startups, and academic institutions.
- Reflects a shift from import-dependence to innovation-driven domestic capability building.
Policy Alignment:
- Reinforces the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
- Highlights the Army’s role as a demand generator and innovation catalyst in the defence sector.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Need for enhanced self-reliance in defence technology amid evolving security challenges.
- Causes:
- Dependence on imports
- Changing nature of warfare
- Need for rapid, indigenous solutions
- Government Initiatives:
- Make in India (Defence)
- Defence Indigenisation Lists
- Startup–Academia–Military collaboration models
- Benefits:
- Reduced import dependence
- Faster deployment of customised solutions
- Boost to domestic defence manufacturing
- Challenges:
- Scaling prototypes to production
- Technology absorption within forces
- Sustained funding and R&D continuity
- Impact:
- Strengthened national security
- Enhanced civil–military technological spillovers
Relevant Mains Points:
- Facts & Concepts:
- Indigenisation: Domestic development and production of defence equipment.
- Self-reliance: Strategic autonomy in defence preparedness.
- Conceptual Linkages:
- Defence manufacturing ecosystem
- Civil–military fusion
- Dual-use technologies in national security
- Keywords:
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat
- Strategic Autonomy
- Defence Innovation
- Internal Security
- Way Forward:
- Institutionalise long-term Army–startup partnerships.
- Increase defence R&D spending.
- Promote export-oriented indigenous defence platforms.
- Strengthen testing, certification, and procurement reforms.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS II – Polity: Role of Armed Forces, constitutional leadership
- GS III – Internal Security: Defence preparedness, technological capability
- GS III – Science & Technology: Indigenous innovation, dual-use technologies
- Prelims: Vijay Divas, 1971 War, defence indigenisation