On April 10, 2025, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the convocation ceremony of the 80th Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. He emphasized the need for the Armed Forces to operate jointly and remain future-ready in today’s multi-domain environment, where cyber, space, and information warfare are as critical as conventional operations.
Highlighting global geopolitical shifts driven by national security priorities, technological advancements, and innovation, Shri Rajnath Singh urged officers to study these trends to stay ahead. He cited the transformative role of drones in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and space capabilities in modern warfare, calling technological innovation “breathtaking.” He also noted the rise of Grey Zone and Hybrid warfare, including cyber-attacks and disinformation, as tools to achieve politico-military goals without direct conflict.
The Raksha Mantri underscored India’s persistent border threats, proxy wars, and terrorism, alongside global challenges like the West Asia conflict, Indo-Pacific tensions, and climate change. He stressed PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a secure and empowered India (Surakshit Bharat and Sashakt Bharat) by 2047, advocating for self-reliance in defence technology and manufacturing. “Building a resilient, indigenous, and future-ready defence ecosystem is a strategic necessity,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh called for enhanced synergy among all components of national security and a ‘Whole of Nation’ approach across diplomatic, military, economic, and technological domains. He also endorsed PM Modi’s ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision for collective security and growth in the Global South.
Exhorting officers to focus on five ‘A’s—Awareness, Ability, Adaptability, Agility, and Ambassadors—he urged them to be leaders who leverage technology and inspire as role models. He began his address by expressing solidarity with Myanmar and Thailand, hit by a recent earthquake, reaffirming India’s role as a first responder.
The 80th Staff Course includes 479 officers, with 38 from 26 friendly countries and three women officers. Earlier, Shri Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the Madras Regiment War Memorial and met veterans. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan attended the event. Established in 1948, DSSC has trained over 19,000 Indian and 2,000 international officers, many rising to prominent global positions.
