Nagrota Hosts 2025-26 White Knight Inno Yodha Competition: Advancing Self-Reliance in Indian Defence
The Indian Army's XVI Corps, based at Nagrota Cantonment, recently concluded the White Knight Inno Yodha Competition 2025-26 on September 2-3, which highlighted significant advancements in innovation and indigenisation.
Organized under the White Knight Corps, the event featured more than 70 entries from field formations and young service innovators, who offered practical solutions in key areas such as surveillance, mobility, logistics, force protection, artificial intelligence, and training.
This competition is a key component of India's AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, initiated in 2020, demonstrating the nation's dedication to decreasing import reliance and enhancing domestic defense production.
As per the Ministry of Defence's 2024 report, this policy has resulted in an impressive 18.2% annual growth in indigenous defense manufacturing, further emphasized by the event's emphasis on operational readiness and integration.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps commended the participants for their innovative approach and encouraged them to align with national self-reliance goals. The event showcased a range of talent, highlighted by a young female officer receiving an award, illustrating a cultural shift within the traditionally male-dominated Indian Army. According to research published in the 2021 Journal of Military Studies, increased diversity enhances problem-solving capabilities, a benefit clearly observed in the competition's results.
Founded in 1972 under Lieutenant General J.F.R. Jacob, the XVI Corps has been a cornerstone of strategic innovation. The recent competition is consistent with global trends, as noted in a 2023 RAND Corporation study highlighting the rising importance of military innovation amid supply chain disruptions.
With more than 70 innovative solutions presented, the White Knight Inno Yodha Competition 2025-26 strengthens India's status as a leader in adaptive defense strategies, setting the stage for a self-reliant and technologically advanced future.
