Current Affairs - Defence

Alka Nangia Arora, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), assumed charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on August 1, 2026. As the head of the Defence Accounts Department under the Ministry of Defence, she brings over three decades of experience in public financial management. During her career, she has served as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of MSME, Managing Director of the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited, and Additional Development Commissioner for Handicrafts under the Ministry of Textiles.

Vice Admiral AN Pramod assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on August 1, 2026, succeeding Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, who retired after 38 years of distinguished service. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990, he has played key operational roles in Operation Vijay, Operation Parakram, and Operation Snow Leopard following the Galwan incident. Before his appointment, he served as Director General Naval Operations and also held the post of Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area. His exemplary service has been recognised with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) in 2025.

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja was appointed as the next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) by the Government of India on July 31, 2026, with effect from August 31, 2026. He will succeed Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and is currently serving as the Director General Medical Services (Air). During his distinguished career, he played a key role in operationalising the BHISHM Cube for rapid humanitarian medical response and strengthening medical preparedness for the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission. A recipient of the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal & Bar, he has also served as Commandant of AFMC Pune and held several important military medical appointments.

Nipun, the Indian Navy's second indigenous Diving Support Vessel, was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. Constructed with nearly 75% indigenous content, the vessel supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It serves as a mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels during underwater rescue missions and is equipped with advanced saturation diving systems and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for deep-sea salvage and underwater operations. The induction of Nipun significantly strengthens the Indian Navy's underwater rescue and maritime support capabilities.

INS Sudarshini represented India during the Lokayan 26 voyage and the SAIL 250 maritime celebrations in the United States. The sail training ship participated in major events, including the SAIL 250 celebrations and the International Naval Review 250, while visiting Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and Boston. After completing its engagements, the vessel departed from Boston on July 25, 2026, and set sail for Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Portugal. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited and commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2012, INS Sudarshini is based at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi and serves as part of the First Training Squadron, promoting traditional seamanship and India's maritime heritage.