India's top military officers convene 5-day CORE security programme in New Delhi
Synopsis
India’s senior military and civilian ministry officers are midway through a rare joint security conclave at New Delhi’s Manekshaw Centre. The CORE programme, organised by IDS Headquarters, signals a deliberate push toward integrated tri-service thinking and civil-military alignment at a moment when India’s strategic environment is under pressure from multiple directions.
Key Takeaways
The Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) programme is underway at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi , from 14 to 18 September 2026 .
Organised by Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) Headquarters , the conclave targets senior officers of India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force .
Officers from the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, and Home Affairs are also participating, underscoring the civil-military integration focus.
Themes include emerging regional and global security challenges , technological transformation in warfare , and strategic communication .
The programme aims to enable senior leaders to take balanced and well-informed decisions in future leadership roles.
Senior officers of India's Defence Forces gathered at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on 15 September 2026 for the second day of the Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) programme, a five-day professional development conclave organised by the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) Headquarters. The event, running from 14 to 18 September, aims to equip senior military leadership with sharper insight into emerging national and regional security challenges.
What the CORE Programme Covers
The deliberations span a broad spectrum of themes, including emerging regional and global security challenges, technological transformation in warfare, strategic communication, and the imperative for stronger civil-military understanding in addressing complex, multi-domain threats. Distinguished subject matter experts and renowned speakers from diverse fields are engaging with participants throughout the week.
According to a Ministry of Defence statement, the programme is designed to provide senior leaders with structured exposure to contemporary security issues, enabling them to take ‘balanced and well-informed decisions’ in future leadership roles.
Who Is Participating
Participants include senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, reflecting the tri-service character of the IDS. Notably, officers from the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, and Home Affairs are also part of the discussions — a sign that the conclave prioritises civil-military integration alongside purely operational concerns.
The Role of IDS Headquarters
The Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters functions as the apex-level tri-service organisation responsible for the higher management and integration of India’s Armed Forces. The CORE programme is one of its flagship professional development initiatives, designed to foster jointness and integrated thinking across service branches and civilian ministries.
In a post on social media platform X on 14 September, IDS Headquarters confirmed the commencement of the event, stating that participants would “engage with experts from diverse fields on several contemporary issues relevant for Indian Defence and Security.”
Why It Matters
The conclave comes at a time when India’s security environment is evolving rapidly, with pressure points ranging from the northern and western borders to emerging threats in the cyber and space domains. Bringing together military officers and civilian ministry representatives under a single roof signals the government’s intent to align strategic thinking across institutional silos.
The CORE programme is expected to conclude on 18 September, with the insights generated likely to inform future leadership decisions and joint operational doctrine.
Point of View
But whether the conversations alter how senior officers actually coordinate when the next crisis arrives. India’s joint-theatre command project has moved slowly; a professional development programme, however well-designed, cannot substitute for structural integration.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CORE programme organised by IDS Headquarters?
The Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) programme is a five-day professional development conclave for senior Indian Defence Forces officers, organised by Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) Headquarters at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from 14 to 18 September 2026. It aims to build a deeper understanding of national and regional security challenges through expert interactions.
Who is participating in the CORE programme?
Participants include senior officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as officers from the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, and Home Affairs. This multi-ministry composition reflects the programme’s emphasis on civil-military integration.
What topics are being discussed at the CORE conclave?
The deliberations cover emerging regional and global security challenges, technological transformation in warfare, strategic communication, and the need for enhanced civil-military understanding in addressing complex security issues.
What is the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters?
The Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) Headquarters is India’s apex-level tri-service organisation responsible for the higher management and integration of the Armed Forces. It organises programmes like CORE to foster jointness and integrated thinking across service branches.
When does the CORE programme end?
The CORE programme is scheduled to conclude on 18 September 2026, having commenced on 14 September at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
