🔆 KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS 2026 | 27 Years of Operation Vijay
📍 Why in News?
✅ 26 July marks the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, commemorating India’s victory in the Kargil War (1999) and honouring the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers of Operation Vijay.
📍 Kargil War (1999)
✅ Began in May 1999 after Pakistani forces infiltrated across the Line of Control (LoC) under Operation Badr.
✅ Objective was to capture strategic heights, sever the Srinagar–Leh Highway, isolate Siachen, and internationalise the Kashmir issue.
✅ India launched Operation Vijay, while the Indian Air Force executed Operation Safed Sagar from 26 May 1999.
✅ India reclaimed every occupied position without crossing the LoC, earning global recognition for military restraint and professionalism.
📍 Major Battles
✅ Battle of Tololing – Recaptured on 13 June 1999, marking the first major breakthrough.
✅ Battle of Tiger Hill – Recaptured on 4 July 1999, decisively shifting the war in India’s favour.
✅ Other key sectors included Point 4875, Batalik, Mushkoh Valley, and Kaksar.
📍 Gallantry Awards
✅ 4 Param Vir Chakras
✅ 9 Maha Vir Chakras
✅ 55 Vir Chakras
✅ 83 Sena Medals
✅ 24 Vayu Sena Medals
✅ Heroes such as Captain Vikram Batra, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, and Captain Vijyant Thapar became enduring symbols of valour.
📍 Legacy of Kargil
✅ Led to major reforms in Higher Defence Management.
✅ Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Department of Military Affairs (DMA).
✅ Greater emphasis on jointness, modernisation, and Aatmanirbhar defence manufacturing.
✅ Strengthened India’s doctrine of proactive and technology-driven national security.
📍 India’s Defence Transformation
✅ Defence Budget increased from ₹2.53 lakh crore (2013–14) to ₹7.85 lakh crore (2026–27).
✅ Defence Production reached ₹1.78 lakh crore (2025–26).
✅ Defence Exports rose to ₹38,424 crore, with exports to 80+ countries.
✅ More than 15,700 defence items indigenised under the Positive Indigenisation Lists.
📍 Future-Ready Military
✅ Induction of INS Vikrant, Arjun Mk IA, Rafale, Apache, Chinook, Project 17A Stealth Frigates, and BrahMos.
✅ Advancement in AI-enabled defence, drone warfare, Mission Shakti (ASAT), Mission Divyastra, Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, Kusha Air Defence System, Netra AEW&C, and Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile.
📍 Commemorative Events (2026)
✅ Shaurya Vijay Yatra from New Delhi to Dras covering 1,900 km.
✅ Tiger Hill Expedition promoting military tourism.
✅ Wheels of Valour: Sanchar Shakti expedition.
✅ Veterans, students, and citizens paid tribute at Kargil War Memorial and Khalubar War Memorial.
📍 UPSC Value Addition
✅ The Kargil War remains a landmark in India’s military history, reinforcing the importance of high-altitude warfare, joint military operations, strategic preparedness, indigenous defence capability, and the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty.
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