Defence Forces must maintain highest level of operational readiness, with focus on domain awareness, cyber resilience & information integrity to counter emerging threats: Raksha Mantri at Air Force Station, Bagdogra
PIB National (English) · Published 7 November 2026 · Last updated
The Defence Ministry urged heightened operational readiness, emphasizing domain awareness, cyber resilience and information integrity, while announcing a Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers.
Key points
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed IAF personnel at Air Force Station Bagdogra on 7 Nov 2026, urging the highest level of operational readiness.
- He highlighted the need to strengthen domain awareness, cyber resilience and information integrity to counter asymmetric warfare, drone swarms and misinformation.
- Bagdogra was described as a strategically important hub for the North‑Eastern sector, with Air Warriors acting as a robust shield for the eastern frontier.
- The Minister praised the adoption of indigenous drones, anti‑drone systems and cyber‑security capabilities developed by Indian start‑ups and defence industries.
- He stressed that discipline, conduct and community engagement by troops are essential to counter adversary narratives and build local trust.
- The Cabinet’s approval of the ‘Second Tour of Duty’ for Agniveers was announced as a Diwali gift, allowing two‑year servicemen to opt for regular enrolment after completion.
- Enrolment as regular soldiers will be subject to the Agniveer’s willingness and meeting the selection criteria set by the Ministry of Defence.
- Shri Rajnath Singh extended Diwali greetings, acknowledging the sacrifices of service personnel and their families during the festival.
Background
- India’s security environment has shifted from conventional border wars to include cyber‑attacks, information operations and proxy conflicts since the early 2010s.
- The concept of domain awareness was institutionalised after the 2016 National Security Strategy, urging integrated monitoring across land, air, sea, space and cyber.
- The Agniveer scheme was launched in 2022 under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ defence recruitment drive to create a reserve of short‑term soldiers.
- In 2024 the Ministry of Defence released a roadmap for indigenisation, targeting 70 % of defence equipment to be sourced domestically by 2030.
- Bagdogra’s airbase, operational since 1962, has historically supported logistics and air‑defence for the North‑East, especially during the 1971 war and subsequent insurgency operations.
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Original report: PIB National (English)