President Murmu visits ARTRAC Shimla, lauds drone training and innovation push
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu's visit to ARTRAC in Shimla went beyond a ceremonial stopover — it was a pointed endorsement of the Indian Army's pivot toward drone warfare, Red Teaming, and digital transformation. With 32 training establishments under its belt, ARTRAC is quietly becoming the intellectual engine of India's military modernisation.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu visited ARTRAC headquarters in Shimla on 1 May 2025 , marking the end of her five-day summer stay at Mashobra .
She was received by HP Governor Kavinder Gupta and Lt Gen Devendra Sharma , GOC-in-C, ARTRAC.
ARTRAC highlighted key initiatives including drone training , Red Teaming , and Digitisation and Automation in the Army.
The command operates through 32 premier training establishments and engages with Friendly Foreign Countries and Sister Services.
President Murmu described ARTRAC as a "critical gear" in India's path to Atmanirbharta and Viksit Bharat .
Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra has been open to the public since April 2023 , with a free bus service launched on 25 July 2024 .
President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu on Friday, 1 May 2025, visited the Headquarters of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) in Shimla, commending its pivotal role in shaping the operational preparedness and future-readiness of the Indian Army. The visit marked the culmination of her five-day summer sojourn at her official residence in Mashobra, Shimla.
Presidential Arrival and Welcome
President Murmu was received at the ARTRAC headquarters by Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta and Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), ARTRAC. She was subsequently briefed by the GOC-in-C on the evolution of ARTRAC, its training mandate, and its key institutional initiatives, according to an official statement.
Key Initiatives Highlighted at ARTRAC
During the briefing, Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma elaborated on several novel initiatives being pursued by the command. These included a significant impetus provided for drone training, steps taken to absorb niche and emerging technologies, the introduction of the concept of 'Red Teaming', and ongoing efforts towards Digitisation and Automation within the Army. These initiatives reflect ARTRAC's broader mandate to align Indian Army training with the rapidly evolving character of modern warfare.
What the President Said
President Murmu acknowledged ARTRAC's all-encompassing role in designing concepts of warfare, resource development for the Indian Army, and fostering engagements with Friendly Foreign Countries and Sister Services. She described it as a
Point of View
Not just a training factory. Whether political will and defence budgets follow through on the Atmanirbharta framing, however, remains the harder question.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did President Murmu visit ARTRAC in Shimla?
President Droupadi Murmu visited the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) headquarters in Shimla on 1 May 2025 to review its training initiatives and commend its role in enhancing the Indian Army's operational preparedness. The visit concluded her five-day official summer stay at Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra.
What is ARTRAC and what does it do?
The Army Training Command (ARTRAC), headquartered in Shimla, is the apex training authority of the Indian Army. It designs concepts of warfare, oversees resource development, and manages 32 premier training establishments, while also engaging with Friendly Foreign Countries and Sister Services.
What new initiatives did ARTRAC highlight during the President's visit?
ARTRAC highlighted drone training, the adoption of niche technologies, the introduction of 'Red Teaming' as a training concept, and ongoing Digitisation and Automation initiatives within the Indian Army.
What is Rashtrapati Niwas in Mashobra and is it open to the public?
Rashtrapati Niwas in Mashobra, near Shimla, is the official summer residence of the President of India. It was opened to the public in April 2023, and a free bus service from Shimla to Mashobra was launched on 25 July 2024 to mark President Murmu's two years in office.
Who received President Murmu at ARTRAC?
President Murmu was received at ARTRAC by Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta and Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ARTRAC.
