New Delhi: The CBRN Conclave began on February 26, 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is hosting the two-day event. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the conference.
The CBRN Conclave carries the theme “From policy to practice: Building CBRN resilient India.” It has brought together experts, policymakers and representatives from the Armed Forces, CAPFs and the NDRF. The objective is clear. India must strengthen its response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats.
CBRN Conclave highlights indigenous defence preparedness
During his address, General Anil Chauhan praised DRDO’s efforts in building self-reliance in CBRN defence technologies. He quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said India will not be deterred by nuclear blackmail. Moreover, he stressed that CBRN should be seen as an operational environment, not merely a threat.
Therefore, he underlined the need for constant preparedness. He called for indigenous early warning systems and lightweight protective equipment. In addition, he emphasised well-researched standard operating procedures. He also highlighted the importance of coordination between military and civilian agencies.
Meanwhile, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat reaffirmed DRDO’s commitment. He stated that specialised laboratories are developing advanced technologies to counter CBRN risks. Furthermore, he encouraged participants to use the conclave for collaboration and peer learning.
Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, DG Armed Forces Medical Services, attended as Guest of Honour. She praised the Vikiran Prehri programme, a joint initiative of DRDO and AFMS. As a result, medical professionals are now better trained to manage radiological emergencies.
Additionally, DG (Soldier Support System) Dr UK Singh explained the structure of the conclave. He urged stakeholders to discuss operational challenges in detail. Consequently, the discussions aim to create a guiding framework for rapid technology development.
The two-day event also focuses on network-centric command and control systems. It promotes the use of advanced sensors and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies. Ultimately, the CBRN Conclave aims to enhance national resilience and improve coordinated response capabilities.
