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#1
The Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme 2026 was a high-level apex strategic forum conducted from September 14 to 18, 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
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The programme was organized by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and executed by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
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CORE 2026 was instituted to provide a joint platform for senior military officers and civilian bureaucrats to evaluate multi-domain security challenges facing India.
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The forum brought together senior leadership from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and senior officials from the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, and Home Affairs.
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A primary focus of the programme was operationalizing 'jointness' and integration across the three armed services, advancing India's transition toward integrated theatre commands.
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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Service Chiefs led strategic sessions assessing geopolitical shifts, two-front conflict dynamics, and regional proxy threats.
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Deliberations analyzed lessons from contemporary international conflicts, specifically the changing character of warfare driven by asymmetric tactics, cheap drones, and precision-guided munitions.
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The programme dedicated specialized working groups to assess emerging disruptive technologies (EDTs), including Artificial Intelligence, robotics, autonomous swarm drones, and quantum computing.
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Discussions addressed non-kinetic warfare domains, focusing on psychological operations, state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, and cognitive warfare aimed at domestic institutions.
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Cyber and electronic warfare capabilities were reviewed to protect critical national infrastructure (CNI) and secure military command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) networks.
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The institutional framework evaluated the Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA), Defence Space Agency (DSA), and Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD) established following the Naresh Chandra Committee and Kargil Review recommendations.
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Civil-military synergy was prioritized to bridge bureaucratic silos between operational military planners and diplomatic or intelligence policymakers during escalating crises.
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The forum examined border security dynamics along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC), reviewing high-altitude logistics and dual-use infrastructure development.
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Supply chain vulnerabilities and raw material dependencies for strategic defence production were scrutinized to accelerate domestic defence self-reliance.
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The programme assessed space-based ISR assets, anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities, and the integration of GSAT-7 series dedicated military communication satellites.
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Maritime domain awareness across vital maritime choke points, including the Strait of Malacca, Bab-el-Mandeb, and Strait of Hormuz, was assessed in coordination with naval command.
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The forum reviewed the integration of deep-tech startups and academia through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative to accelerate battlefield tech induction.
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Counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), directed energy weapons (DEWs), and hypersonic missile detection systems formed a critical part of future combat capability discussions.
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Senior participants conducted scenario-based wargaming exercises simulating simultaneous gray-zone maritime coercion, high-altitude border friction, and coordinated cyber attacks.
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CORE 2026 reinforced that modern national security requires an integrated, whole-of-nation approach that harmonizes military power, technological innovation, economic resilience, and proactive diplomacy.
Subject Specialist Commentary
Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board
The Combined Operational Review and Evaluation 2026 was a senior-level strategic forum held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Organized by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies, it brought military service chiefs together with civilian bureaucrats from defence, external affairs, and home ministries. The objective was assessing modern multi-domain security threats and advancing unified operational integration across India's armed forces.
In competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services, CORE 2026 provides excellent material for questions on integrated theatre commands and civil-military synergy. Notice the strong focus on emerging disruptive technologies like swarm drones, artificial intelligence, and non-kinetic cyber warfare. For quick revision, remember the specialized tri-service agencies evaluated during these discussions: the Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Space Agency, and Armed Forces Special Operations Division. Avoid confusing CORE with a routine tactical military exercise.
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