PrepMaticCurrent affairs · September 2026
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026: the IAF hosts seven air forces at Jodhpur
The Indian Air Force (IAF) began the operational phase of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 27 September 2026, a day after the inaugural ceremony. The multilateral air exercise runs from 26 September to 12 October 2026 and is themed Power in Partnership.
Key facts
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exercise | Tarang Shakti 2026 (multilateral air exercise) |
| Venue | Air Force Station Jodhpur |
| Dates | 26 September to 12 October 2026 |
| Theme | Power in Partnership |
| Participating countries | Australia, United States, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh |
| Earlier edition | Inaugural edition in 2024 |
Aircraft and activities
The foreign aircraft taking part include the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A. That mix covers combat, airlift and air-to-air refuelling roles. Several other friendly foreign countries are attending as observers.
The exercise is meant to build interoperability, share operational expertise and improve understanding of aerospace safety and procedures among air forces. This edition has a wider programme than flying alone: a seminar, an industrial tour for foreign contingents, the Sekhon Marathon, heritage tours and yoga sessions.
Why it matters for exams
This is a typical defence current affairs question in TNPSC and a general awareness item in banking exams: the exercise name, the service that conducts it, the venue and the theme. Contrast it with bilateral drills such as Exercise Varuna. Keep tracking such events with the TNPSC current affairs guide.
Practice questions
Question 1
Where is Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 being conducted?
- A. Air Force Station Hindan
- B. Air Force Station Jodhpur
- C. Air Force Station Pune
- D. Air Force Station Tezpur
Question 2
What is the theme of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
- A. Skies Without Borders
- B. Unity in the Air
- C. Power in Partnership
- D. Wings of Friendship
Answers
- B. The operational phase is at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
- C. The theme is Power in Partnership.
Source
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- Exercise Varuna 2026INS Trishul reached Toulon on 22 September 2026 for the 24th edition of India-France bilateral naval Exercise Varuna, with harbour and sea phases.
- New Chief of the Air StaffThe Government appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff from 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
More in September 2026
- Chess Olympiad 2026India won silver in the Open and bronze in the Women's section at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, with four Tamil Nadu players in the squads.
- Edible oil import duty cutThe government cut basic customs duty on crude sunflower oil to nil and on crude soybean and palm oil to 5% on 24 September 2026 to ease prices.
- Thaaimaaman gold ring schemeTamil Nadu gives a 1 gram gold ring to every child born in a government hospital: ₹755.83 crore, about 4.41 lakh children a year. Launched 28 September 2026.
- Madurai Gandhi museum 2026The Chief Minister reopened the renovated Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai on 28 September 2026 after a ₹10.25 crore makeover. Its history and new features.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Anant NagActor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 from President Murmu at the 72nd National Film Awards on 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
- IIP, August 2026India's Index of Industrial Production grew 8.0% in August 2026, with manufacturing up 9.0% and electricity up 12.3%. Quick estimates released 28 September.
- Breakfast scheme expansionOn 22 September 2026 the Chief Minister extended the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to classes 6 to 8: 7,537 more schools and 15.30 lakh students.
- WorldSkills Shanghai 2026Tamil Nadu sent its largest team of 12 to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and won its first silver plus four Medals for Excellence. India finished 10th.