● Observed: 26 July every year to commemorate India’s victory in the
Kargil War (1999).
● Purpose: Honours the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who
participated in Operation Vijay.
Kargil War (1999)
● Pakistan’s Operation Badr: Infiltration across the Line of Control
(LoC) to capture strategic heights.
● India’s Response: Operation Vijay by the Army, Operation Safed
Sagar by the Air Force, and Operation Talwar by the Navy.
● Key Battles: Tololing, Tiger Hill, Point 4875, Batalik, and Mushkoh
Valley.
● Outcome: India recaptured all occupied positions, and 26 July is
celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Post-Kargil Defence Reforms
● Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Department of
Military Affairs (2020).
● Strengthened defence production, exports, indigenisation, and
established Defence Corridors.
● Introduction of the Agnipath Scheme for a younger and
technology-driven armed forces.