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Multilateral Military Exercise 'PRAGATI 2026' Commences in Meghalaya with 12 Nations, Focus on Counter-Terrorism in Jungle Terrain

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
20 May 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:13 nationsTwo-week duration
Bodies:Indian Army
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What This Article Covers

1.PRAGATI 2026 (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region) is a two-week military exercise involving India and 12 other nations.

2.The exercise is being held at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, with a focus on counter-terrorism in jungle/semi-mountainous terrain, aiming to improve joint operational proficiency.

3.It highlights India's strategic defence diplomacy, serving as a platform to showcase indigenous defence equipment under Atmanirbhar Bharat and build institutionalised military cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

A major multilateral military exercise, PRAGATI 2026, involving 13 countries (India + 12), has begun at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya. The two-week exercise focuses on enhancing coordination in counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, while showcasing India's defence indigenisation under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Participating Nations13 (India + 12)
Duration of ExerciseTwo weeks
LocationUmroi Military Station, Meghalaya
Participating NationsBhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total Participating Nations: 13 (India + 12)
  • ›Duration of Exercise: Two weeks
  • ›Target this Data: 13 nations (India + 12), Two-week duration, Umroi Military Station (Meghalaya)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Indian Army (specifically, Additional Director General of Infantry)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Not directly applicable, but link to India's defence export policy and Make in India in Defence.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 is being conducted under the spirit of which major Indian policy initiative promoting indigenous defence production?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding Exercise PRAGATI 2026:

1. It is a bilateral exercise between India and the United States.

2. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain.

3. It involves the participation of 12 friendly nations from the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

For how many weeks is the multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 scheduled to be conducted?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary strategic objective of conducting multilateral military exercises like PRAGATI 2026, as highlighted in the news?

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