INS Aridhaman, India's third ballistic-missile submarine, commissioned
3 April 2026
INS Aridhaman, the third nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) of the Arihant class, was commissioned on 3 April 2026 in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, though without a formal public announcement. It is larger than its predecessors, with eight launch tubes, double the earlier boats', for K-4 and K-15 missiles. Analysts said a third boat gives India what it needs for a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent. A fourth is under construction.
Background. An SSBN carries nuclear-armed ballistic missiles and completes the 'nuclear triad' of land, air and sea delivery. INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016 and INS Arighat in 2024. India's nuclear doctrine is 'no first use' with credible minimum deterrence.
Why CLAT asks: Triad, no first use and the Arihant-class names are standard defence questions.
Sources: ETV Bharat: India's new nuclear-powered submarine INS Aridaman commissioned (3 April 2026); Carnegie Endowment: The coming of age of India's nuclear triad (April 2026)
Gen N.S. Raja Subramani becomes the third Chief of Defence Staff
31 May 2026
On 9 May 2026 the government named Lt Gen N.S. Raja Subramani (retd), Military Adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat and a former Vice Chief of the Army Staff, as the next Chief of Defence Staff. He took over when Gen Anil Chauhan's tenure ended on 30 May 2026, becoming the third CDS. He also serves as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs, with theatre commands his main task.
Background. The post of CDS was created in December 2019 on the Kargil Review Committee's line of thought; Gen Bipin Rawat was the first (2020-21) and Gen Anil Chauhan the second (2022-26). The CDS is the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister and permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, and can serve up to age 65.
Why CLAT asks: First, second and third CDS, and the Department of Military Affairs, are likely one-liners.
Sources: All India Radio News: Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani appointed new Chief of Defence Staff (9 May 2026); The Statesman: Gen NS Raja Subramani takes charge as CDS
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan is the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff
31 May 2026
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan took over as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 May 2026, succeeding Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi. He had been Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. A communication and electronic warfare specialist, he has commanded ships including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He said operational readiness would be his highest priority.
Background. The President is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces (Article 53(2)). The Navy has three commands: Western (Mumbai), Eastern (Visakhapatnam) and Southern (Kochi, training).
Why CLAT asks: Service chiefs' names change often; know the current three and the CDS.
Source: All India Radio News: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumes charge as 27th Chief of the Naval Staff (31 May 2026)
India confirms a BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam
30 May 2026
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 30 May 2026, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said a BrahMos deal with Vietnam had already been signed, though not publicly announced, and that a deal with Indonesia was in its final stages. Reuters, citing a source, put the Vietnam deal at about ₹6,000 crore including training and logistics. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited Hanoi earlier in May, marking ten years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Background. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile made by an India-Russia joint venture, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. The Philippines became its first export customer in 2022. The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia's main annual defence forum, held in Singapore.
Why CLAT asks: Name origins (Brahmaputra plus Moskva) and the first export buyer are favourite questions.
Sources: Reuters via Internazionale: India says signed BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam (30 May 2026); IANS: BrahMos cruise missile deal with Vietnam already signed: Defence Secretary
PRAHAAR: India's first national counter-terrorism policy
23 February 2026
In February 2026 the Ministry of Home Affairs released PRAHAAR, India's first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy. Its letters stand for seven pillars, including prevention, swift and proportionate response, a whole-of-government approach, rule-of-law processes, addressing radicalisation, shaping international efforts and whole-of-society recovery. It names threats such as cross-border terrorism, cyber attacks, drones and criminal networks, and the protection of critical sectors like power, railways, ports, space and atomic energy.
Background. India's main anti-terror law is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, amended in 2019 to let individuals be designated as terrorists. The National Investigation Agency was set up in 2008 after the Mumbai attacks.
Why CLAT asks: UAPA, the NIA and what changed in 2019 are common security-law questions.
Sources: Manorama Yearbook: MHA counter-terrorism policy PRAHAAR (25 February 2026); Manohar Parrikar IDSA: Assessing PRAHAAR, India's first counter-terror policy
