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GMC Handwara to add advanced diagnostic tests, boost patient care

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GMC Handwara to add advanced diagnostic tests, boost patient care

A senior doctor, while talking to Greater Kashmir, said the expanded services will cover thyroid and endocrine profiles, reproductive hormones and fertility testing, cardiac biomarkers, tumour markers, infectious disease serology, sepsis and inflammatory markers, autoimmune investigations, diabetes-related hormones, vitamin and bone metabolism, and prenatal screening.

“Key investigations will include TSH, FT3, FT4, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, AMH, β-hCG, hs-cTnI, NT-proBNP, procalcitonin, IL-6, PTH, ferritin, PSA, CEA, AFP, CA-125, hepatitis markers, HIV screening and specialised autoimmune assays, subject to finalisation of the test menu,” he said.

“The expansion is expected to improve access to specialised diagnostic services under one roof, reduce patients’ dependence on outside referral laboratories and facilitate timely clinical decision-making,” he added.

He said the initiative will benefit patients from Kupwara district and adjoining areas by strengthening the institution’s diagnostic infrastructure and clinical capabilities.

The move will certainly ease things for the general public, who are otherwise forced to visit Srinagar for these diagnostic tests.

Greater Kashmir

BHIM Payments App partners with Goonj

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BHIM Payments App partners with Goonj

Srinagar, Oct 23: BHIM Payments App, developed by NPCI BHIM, has partnered with civic organisation Goonj for the third edition of its ‘Meethi Diwali’ campaign to support children in need of educational resources.

Under the initiative, BHIM will contribute towards providing school kits for every seventh transaction made by users on the app between October 19 and November 8.

Goonj, known for its work in education, community development and disaster relief across India, will collaborate on the campaign, which aims to connect everyday digital payments with support for children’s learning needs.

Gaurav Kochhar, Chief of Business at NPCI BHIM, said the initiative seeks to extend the joy of Diwali by turning routine digital transactions into opportunities to support children’s education.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and dream of a brighter future. Our partnership with Goonj brings this belief to life, turning everyday transactions on BHIM App into an opportunity to support children with essential learning materials,” Kochhar said.

Anshu Gupta, Founder and Executive Director of Goonj, said the partnership would connect everyday technology with citizen participation and help children access essential learning resources with dignity.

Mehul Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of SoCheers, said the campaign aimed to extend the spirit of giving beyond the festive season by making everyday digital transactions contribute to a wider social cause.

Greater Kashmir

MHA to build 60,000-strong civil defence network in 12 states, UTs; Army to train volunteers

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MHA to build 60,000-strong civil defence network in 12 states, UTs; Army to train volunteers

New Delhi, Oct 24: The home ministry will conduct a first-of-its-kind joint training with the Army to build a civil defence network of around 60,000 volunteers in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) as part of a pilot project, according to an official statement.

In the first phase, a three-day specialised training will be given for civil defence master trainers from the participating states and UTs, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

The initiative stems from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech, in which he announced the vision of a vibrant civil defence network equipped with modern systems, technologies and contemporary preparedness capabilities to address emerging security challenges.

“In furtherance of this vision, the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Ministry of Home Affairs, is undertaking a first-of-its-kind pilot initiative to strengthen civil defence preparedness through specialised training of civil defence master trainers by the Indian Army,” it said.

Six hundred civil defence master trainers — 50 from each participating state and UT — will be trained by the second week of November 2026 through a three-day specialised training programme at designated Indian Army training establishments.

“The participating states/UTs are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” it said.

The initiative seeks to enhance civil defence personnel’s preparedness to respond effectively to contemporary security threats, hostile situations and emergencies, it said.

The personnel will receive training in three broad areas: threat awareness, protection and emergency response, and communication and coordination.

Each master trainer will have to train 100 civil defence volunteers in their respective state or UT.

The initiative aims to prepare 60,000 civil defence volunteers across the participating states and UTs, significantly expanding its reach and impact, the statement said.

Greater Kashmir

Must unite society against divisive forces; inspire citizens towards self-reliance: PM

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Must unite society against divisive forces; inspire citizens towards self-reliance: PM

New Delhi, Oct 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for efforts to address emerging societal ills and new challenges, unite society against divisive forces and inspire citizens towards self-reliance.

Inaugurating the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan here, Modi said Chinmaya Mission was not merely an institution but a thought — Chinmaya, meaning pure consciousness — was founded by a Chinmaya sage, whose journey over the decades had also been marked by divine resolves.

“In the past decades, times have changed, new challenges have emerged before the country, and new societal ills have surfaced. Today, the responsibility of solving them rests upon all of us,” Modi said.

“We must unite society against the forces that seek to divide us. We must make our citizens aware and inspired towards self-reliance. We must connect every individual with the resolve of a Developed India by 2047. For these objectives, we must become even more proactive,” he added. The prime minister said the nation was the birthplace of Indian culture and the foundation of the country’s existence.

“Thanks to the efforts of Chinmaya Mission, today millions of youth are working as cultural brand ambassadors of India. These youth are carrying Indian values to the new generation,” he said. The three-day event, being held from Friday, brings together over 9,000 participants from India and abroad. The event marks the culmination of the year-long celebrations commemorating 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission, a global spiritual movement founded by Swami Chinmayananda in 1951 to make the wisdom of Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita accessible to all.

Greater Kashmir

J&K Govt departments to transition to electronic processing of accounts, bills, vouchers

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J&K Govt departments to transition to electronic processing of accounts, bills, vouchers

Jammu, Oct 23: All Jammu and Kashmir government departments will transition to electronic processing as the Finance department has ordered the implementation of an integrated digital financial workflow under J&K Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS).

Integrated digital financial workflow comprises e-Bill, e-Voucher and e-Account functionalities under the JKIFMS.

The transition to electronic processing, however, will not alter or dilute the financial, administrative or statutory responsibilities of any authority or functionary under the extant rules and regulations.

The integrated digital financial workflow will provide for appropriate interoperability among JKPaySys, TreasuryNet, JKHRMS, BEAMS, e-Sanction, e-GRAS and other relevant modules of JKIFMS, together with the necessary interfaces with RBI e-Kuber, PFMS, NPCI and SNA-SPARSH, wherever applicable.

Transactions relating to Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), as per an order issued by Financial Commissioner (ACS), J&K Finance Department Shailendra Kumar sanctioning implementation, will be processed through the prescribed SNA-SPARSH or PFMS framework, wherever applicable, in accordance with the instructions issued by the Government of India and the Finance department.

All system integrations will be implemented with appropriate access controls, authentication, transaction validation, data security and audit trail mechanisms. The adoption of electronic processing will not dispense with any statutory, financial or procedural requirement under the extant rules.

Financial Commissioner Shailendra Kumar has specified that no functionary will process a transaction outside the approved digital workflow except under duly authorised contingency arrangements or specific instructions issued by the competent authority.

The e-Bill functionality operating through the prescribed JKPaySys and TreasuryNet workflow, with appropriate integration of JKHRMS, BEAMS and e-Sanction, will function as the module for online preparation, processing and transmission of Government bills in the prescribed digital formats.

The e-Bill module has been designed with a three-tier Maker-Verifier-Approver mechanism.

In establishments requiring multiple users, the DDO may authorise additional Maker IDs, subject to the prescribed system hierarchy and access controls.

All e-Bills will be duly supported by the requisite electronic sanction in accordance with Government Order number 310-F of 2026 dated October 7, 2026 and will be authenticated through e-Sign, e-Hastakshar or Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), as applicable, at the designated stages of the workflow.

The e-Bills generated through JKPaySys will be transmitted electronically to the concerned Treasury through TreasuryNet for scrutiny and processing in accordance with the existing Treasury procedures and applicable rules. The system will facilitate electronic generation and communication of memos in cases where bills are returned for correction, clarification or removal of deficiencies.

As per the directions issued by the Finance department, the passing of bills at the Accounts Assistant or Accountant and Treasury Officer levels will be supported by the prescribed CPIS credentials and electronic authentication mechanism, as applicable. Upon completion of the prescribed scrutiny and electronic authentication by the Treasury Officer, the bill will be passed in the system and converted into an e-Voucher, with an appropriate electronic audit trail.

The electronically passed and cleared bills will constitute e-Vouchers in the prescribed digital format. The e-Vouchers will serve as electronic records of the transactions processed through the treasury and will facilitate accounting, reconciliation, audit and submission of accounts to the Office of the Principal Accountant General, Jammu and Kashmir, and the concerned Fund Offices, wherever applicable.

All e-vouchers will be generated, maintained and transmitted in accordance with the applicable Government accounting principles, treasury rules and instructions issued by the competent authority from time to time.

The e-Vouchers generated through the integrated workflow will, upon operationalisation of the requisite enabling ecosystem, be transmitted electronically to the Office of the Principal Accountant General, Jammu and Kashmir, for incorporation into the monthly accounts of the government.

The e-Accounts will continue to be organised and submitted on the existing two-list basis, namely, the first list covering the period from the first to the 18th of the month and the second list covering the period from the 19th to the last day of the month, or such other accounting periods as may be prescribed by the competent authority, it has been specified.

The Accounts and Treasuries Organisation has been instructed to coordinate with the Office of the Principal Accountant General, Jammu and Kashmir, the National Informatics Centre (NIC), J&K, and other concerned agencies to facilitate the required system integration, data exchange and operational readiness for electronic submission and receipt of accounts.

The Funds Organisation, Finance Department, has been asked to take necessary steps for suitable modification or upgradation of the GenProfit application, or such other prescribed system as may be required, to facilitate electronic receipt and processing of Fund Accounts.

The concerned technical agencies will undertake the requisite development, configuration, testing and integration to facilitate electronic bill processing, treasury scrutiny, payment, e-Voucher generation, accounting and reconciliation.

The e-Bill or e-Voucher facility, which commenced at Treasury Chadoora, district Budgam and Treasury Akhnoor, district Jammu, will be operationalised across all treasuries of Jammu and Kashmir in a phased manner.

Pending establishment and operational readiness of the requisite ecosystem at the Office of the Principal Accountant General, Jammu and Kashmir, for electronic receipt and processing of e-Accounts, the DDOs concerned will continue to furnish the requisite bills or documents and account-related information in the existing prescribed manner, including submission of physical copies wherever required by the transitional arrangements.

During this interim period, the concerned Treasuries or Accounts Rendering Units will continue to prepare and submit monthly accounts to the Office of the Principal Accountant General, Jammu and Kashmir, in accordance with the existing procedure and prescribed two-list system.

“Upon confirmation of operational readiness by the concerned authorities, e-Voucher and e-Account data will be transmitted and received electronically through JKIFMS, in accordance with the technical and procedural instructions issued by the Finance department,” Financial Commissioner has directed.

The DDO will remain responsible for the legality, admissibility, correctness, completeness and financial propriety of the claims preferred by the concerned office, including compliance with applicable sanctions, budgetary provisions and delegated financial powers.

The maker, verifier and approver will discharge their respective duties with due diligence and shall remain accountable for the functions assigned to them.

Treasury functionaries have been directed to ensure that bills are scrutinised, passed, returned or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the applicable rules, prescribed workflow and delegated authority.

All authorised users will safeguard their login credentials, CPIS credentials, electronic signatures and authentication facilities.

As per directions, sharing or misuse of credentials, unauthorised access, manipulation of records or bypassing of the prescribed workflow will not be permitted.

The Accounts and Treasuries Organisation, in coordination with NIC J&K and other concerned agencies, have been instructed to facilitate system configuration, user-role mapping, integration of applications, technical support, training and monitoring of the integrated workflow.

The concerned Treasury Officers will ensure the orientation and capacity building of DDOS, departmental Accounts Personnel and other designated users regarding the prescribed procedures for e-Bill preparation, verification, electronic authentication, Treasury scrutiny, e-Voucher generation and reconciliation.

The NIC J&K and other designated technical agencies will provide necessary technical assistance for resolving implementation-related issues and ensuring the smooth functioning of the integrated modules.

The Financial Commissioner has asked all Administrative Departments, Heads of Departments, DDOS, Treasury Officers, Accounts Personnel and other stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with these directions and extend the requisite cooperation for effective implementation of the integrated digital financial workflow.

The Accounts and Treasuries Organisation has been entrusted with the job to monitor the progress of operationalisation, identify implementation issues and coordinate with the concerned agencies for their timely resolution. “The Finance Department may issue such Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical advisories, workflow instructions and operational guidelines as may be necessary for effective implementation,” the Financial Commissioner has maintained.

Greater Kashmir

Winter looms, all-weather connectivity remains elusive on Mughal Road

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Winter looms, all-weather connectivity remains elusive on Mughal Road

The residents said the absence of an all-weather road connecting the regions disrupts the movement of people, affects trade and tourism, and causes inconvenience to students and other commuters who depend on the route.

In June last year, the Union government approved the construction of the Mughal Road as an all-weather road, a move aimed at providing a reliable alternative to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The project is expected to improve connectivity between the Jammu and Kashmir regions and reduce dependence on the existing highway.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had described the approval as a major achievement of his government, highlighting the road’s importance for improving connectivity and boosting economic activity in the region.

Officials said the detailed project report (DPR) for the construction of a tunnel along the Mughal Road is being prepared. However, residents said they were concerned about the pace of progress, as another winter was approaching and the road was likely to remain inaccessible for an extended period.

“The moment winter approaches, we know that the road will be closed for several months. This disrupts the movement of people between Shopian and the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch,” said Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Shopian.

He said the seasonal closure also affected businesses that depended on the movement of people and goods across the regions.

“Businesses take a hit when the road remains shut. People have to take longer routes, which increases travel costs and consumes more time. A tunnel would provide much-needed relief to people on both sides of the PirPanjal,” Ahmad said.

Irshad Ahmad, a resident of Rajouri, said the lack of an all-weather link forced people to travel via Jammu to reach south Kashmir during the winter months.

“We have to take a long detour via Jammu when the Mughal Road is closed. This makes travelling difficult, particularly for people who need to visit Kashmir for work or other essential purposes. We hope the work on the tunnel will be taken up soon,” he said.

The closure also creates difficulties for students from Kashmir who are enrolled at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri. Many students said they faced uncertainty and additional travel difficulties when snowfall rendered the road inaccessible.

They said a tunnel would provide more dependable connectivity, allowing students to travel between their homes and the university without having to rely on a road that remains vulnerable to winter weather.

The Mughal Road, which passes through the PirPanjal mountain range, connects Shopian in south Kashmir with Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region. Apart from serving as an important route for local residents, it holds historical significance and has the potential to promote tourism and economic activity across the PirPanjal region.

Residents said an all-weather connection would help strengthen links between the two regions, improve access to educational institutions and healthcare facilities, and provide businesses with a more dependable transport corridor.

They said the preparation of the DPR was an important step, but stressed that the process needed to move forward without unnecessary delays.

Greater Kashmir

BIS holds consumer awareness programme for traders in Anantnag

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BIS holds consumer awareness programme for traders in Anantnag

Anantnag, Oct 23: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), J&K Branch Office (JKBO), organised an awareness programme at Town Hall, Municipal Council Anantnag, on Friday to promote quality consciousness, consumer awareness and the adoption of Indian Standards.

The programme witnessed the participation of more than 140 stakeholders, including Municipal Council officials, traders, representatives of trade and federation associations, and consumers.

The initiative aimed to familiarise local stakeholders with the role of BIS in ensuring product quality, safety and reliability, while encouraging informed purchasing decisions and greater awareness of certification mechanisms.

Mirza Asif Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Anantnag, attended the programme and appreciated BIS’s outreach efforts. He stressed the importance of educating traders and consumers about quality standards and encouraged participants to use the BIS Care App to verify the authenticity of BIS-certified products and report quality-related concerns.

He also called for more such programmes to strengthen consumer awareness across the region. Ashish Dwivedi, Standard Promotion Officer, BIS JKBO, welcomed the participants and delivered a presentation on the organisation’s activities, highlighting its role in standardisation, quality assurance and consumer protection.

He explained the importance of Indian Standards in everyday life and urged consumers to check whether products comply with applicable standards and carry the appropriate BIS certification mark.

Saaqib Raahi, Scientist-C and Deputy Director, BIS JKBO, provided detailed information on key BIS initiatives, including the Product Certification Scheme, the significance of the ISI mark and hallmarking of gold and silver jewellery.

He also explained how consumers can verify the authenticity of certified products and use the BIS Care App to access certification-related information and report quality-related concerns.

Participants were encouraged to act as ambassadors of quality awareness by sharing information about BIS initiatives within their communities and business networks.

Assadullah Bhat, Chairman of the Federation of Associations, Anantnag, appreciated the initiative and emphasised the importance of cooperation among BIS, trade associations, local authorities and consumers in promoting quality-conscious business practices.

He urged BIS to organise more awareness programmes in Anantnag to improve understanding of Indian Standards, product certification and consumer rights among traders and the general public.

The programme provided a platform for direct interaction between BIS officials and local stakeholders, enabling participants to seek information about quality standards, certification procedures and consumer-oriented services.

The participation of traders and consumer representatives also supported efforts to extend awareness beyond institutional channels and strengthen engagement at the local level.

Greater Kashmir

Dal House claims top honours at DPS Budgam

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Dal House claims top honours at DPS Budgam

Srinagar, Oct 23: The Physical Education Department of Delhi Public School Budgam successfully organised its much-awaited Annual Sports Day on 22nd October 2026 at the DPS Budgam School Playground, under the able guidance of the Principal, Glory George.

The day, as per a statement, commenced on a divine note with a soulful prayer, invoking the blessings of the Almighty. The formal proceedings began with a warm and vibrant welcome address by the host, Sadaf Khan, who set the energetic tone for the day.

The event was graced by the presence of our esteemed dignitaries: Pro Vice Chairperson, Mumtazunnisa Soz; Principal, Glory George; General Manager, Mudasir Ahmad Mir; Dean, Mehfooz Aslam; Senior Advisor, Dr Mohammad Yaseen Shah; Coordinators, Inayat Khan, Snober Sehar, and Sofiya Shabir; along with the entire staff of DPS Budgam. Their presence added grandeur to the occasion.

The Sports Flag was hoisted by our revered Pro Vice Chairperson, Mumtazunnisa Soz, escorted by Principal Glory George, symbolising pride, honour, and sportsmanship.

This was followed by the significant Torch Relay, led by the Principal, School Head Boy Mohammed Hubban, Sports Captain Syed Asim, and the House Captains, carrying the flame of unity and an undying sporting spirit.

Thereafter, the Principal officially declared Annual Sports Day 2026 open amidst thunderous applause and cheers.

The discipline and unity of DPS Budgam came alive in the spectacular Inter-House March Past, led by the School Captain. The four houses marched in perfect synchronization to the beat of the band, vying for the Best House Trophy. The performance was evaluated by the judges.

This was followed by the Oath Ceremony, during which all athletes gathered in the centre and pledged to participate with honesty, integrity, and true sportsmanship.

The athletic events began with the most adorable races of our Junior Wing, featuring the 50-metre sprints for Nursery, LKG, and UKG, the 80-metre race for Class 1 boys and girls, and the 100-metre sprint for Classes 2 and 3.

The excitement continued with the 100-metre sprints ,

200-metre races for boys and girls across different categories of students. The thrilling 4 × 50-metre relay race showcased the true essence of teamwork and coordination.

Simultaneously, the field events highlighted strength, skill, and technique through the Long Jump, Discus Throw, and Shot Put.

A power-packed Martial Arts Demonstration by the students, showcasing self-defence, focus, and discipline, left the audience spellbound.

Dal House secured first place, while Nigeen House finished as the runner-up

Adding further joy and enthusiasm, special races of 100 and 200 metres were organised for teachers, administrative staff, support staff, and drivers. The playground echoed with laughter and cheers as the staff members enthusiastically participated, demonstrating that the spirit of sportsmanship transcends age and designation.

The day concluded with a graceful Retreat Ceremony and a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the management, dignitaries, staff, and students for making the event a grand success.

Annual Sports Day was not merely about winning medals; it was a celebration of the true spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, determination, and perseverance that DPS Budgam proudly upholds.

Greater Kashmir

Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian, energy infrastructure unacceptable: Farooq Abdullah

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Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian, energy infrastructure unacceptable: Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar, Oct 23: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said the attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian and energy infrastructure were unacceptable, asserting the sacred cities hold a central place in the faith and devotion of Muslims.

Abdullah condemned the “atrocious” attacks by Houthi rebels operating from Yemen on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including King Fahd International Airport.

He also expressed deep grief over the loss of human lives and injuries sustained by several people in these unfortunate incidents.

In a statement, Abdullah said that targeting civilian populations, airports and energy infrastructure was deeply concerning.

“Such actions not only threaten regional peace and stability but could also have far-reaching consequences for the entire world,” he said.

The three-time chief minister said that the sanctity of the Harmain Sharifain, including Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah, is central to the faith and devotion of Muslims across the world.

“Ensuring the protection of these sacred places and the people associated with them is a moral responsibility of all concerned parties,” he added.

The NC chief expressed the hope that God would safeguard the Haramain Sharifain and bless the Muslim world with peace, unity and security.

The escalating tensions in the Middle East could pose a serious challenge to global peace, economic stability and energy supplies, he said.

“The possibility of a wider conflict disrupting global oil and gas supplies, driving up fuel prices, affecting trade and placing additional pressure on the global economy cannot be overlooked. The burden of such developments is often borne disproportionately by ordinary citizens and low-income sections of society,” the NC president said.

Abdullah asserted that West Asia was already grappling with several complex issues and conflicts, and further provocative actions could aggravate an already volatile situation.

He urged all concerned parties to exercise restraint, wisdom and responsibility, and take concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through peaceful means. The protection of civilian lives, property and essential infrastructure must be ensured under all circumstances.

He also urged the international community to intensify effective diplomatic efforts to end the escalating tensions in the area, protect civilian populations and establish lasting peace.

Abdullah stressed that concerted efforts were essential to prevent further devastation in the region and avert a wider humanitarian and economic crisis.

Greater Kashmir

‘Monitor geopolitics closely, remain prepared to respond to immediate challenges’: Rajnath to Army Commanders

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‘Monitor geopolitics closely, remain prepared to respond to immediate challenges’: Rajnath to Army Commanders

New Delhi, Oct 23: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has exhorted the Army Commanders to closely monitor geopolitical as well as regional developments and remain prepared for future challenges. Addressing the Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on October 23, 2026, he emphasised the need for a long-term strategic vision spanning the next 20-30 years, and called upon the senior leadership of the Indian Army to remain equally prepared to respond to immediate and emerging challenges. He stressed that strategies must remain dynamic and flexible, enabling timely adjustments to changing circumstances.

Commending the Defence Forces for adapting to evolving operational circumstances, Rajnath Singh highlighted that innovative thinking, enhanced synergy and superior coordination, complemented by advanced weaponry, contributed to the success of Operation Sindoor. The operation sent a clear message that India would not hesitate to take necessary measures to safeguard its national interests, he said.

Defence Minister appreciated the military’s restructuring efforts, with a special focus on the use of drones and modern technology. He stressed the need to strengthen capabilities, continuously assess performance, and implement necessary improvements in line with evolving circumstances. He underscored the importance of accelerating efforts in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data analytics, cybersecurity, and secure communication networks.

Rajnath Singh emphasised that despite growing significance of challenges across the air, maritime, space and cyber domains, land warfare and ground forces would remain indispensable. He called for an integrated approach to modern warfare, stressing that success would depend on multi-domain capabilities and seamless coordination in joint operations.

Defence Minister acknowledged the self-reliance efforts of the defence forces, stating that India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities are a result of concerted efforts of all stakeholders. “Amidst the changing global landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government is prioritising Aatmanirbharta in defence. In the financial year 2025-26, defence production surged to a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore, with defence exports reaching an all-time high of approx. Rs 38,000 crore,” he said.

Referring to the ‘Year of Reforms – 2025’, Rajnath Singh stated that reform is a continuous process, the success of which depends on effective implementation. He urged the Commanders to drive these reforms forward within their respective commands and echelons, while ensuring that they translate into tangible benefits for operational capabilities.

Defence Minister credited the valour, discipline, preparedness and restraint of the Defence Forces, along with the dynamic leadership and diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for strengthening India’s global standing. He urged the Defence Forces to maintain their focus on self-reliance, effective implementation of reforms, improved manpower management, greater participation of women and an integrated approach to national security.

On the occasion, Defence Minister released the Land Warfare Doctrine, which provides an overarching framework to prepare the Indian Army to meet the challenges posed by the evolving character of warfare and future conflicts. He also unveiled the annual United Nations Journal and felicitated Indian Army personnel who have made notable contributions while serving as United Nations peacekeepers, recognising their exemplary service, professionalism and contribution to international peace and security.

MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and other senior officials were present on the occasion.  

With its comprehensive agenda, the conference has been organised to provide an important forum for the senior leadership of the Indian Army to review ongoing initiatives, identify future thrust areas and formulate appropriate policy directions towards building a progressive, adaptive, technologically enabled and future-ready Indian Army.

Greater Kashmir

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