About Exercise Tarkash:
- It is the seventh edition of the Indo-U.S. joint counter terrorism exercise.
- It is held between the elite National Security Guard (NSG) and the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) commenced on April 22, 2024.
- The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at Chennai in January 2023.
- This exercise encompassed intense training and mock drills in urban counter terrorism scenarios.
- Objective: The primary objective of the bilateral exercise is to build functional relation and enhance interoperability between the two special forces in conducting coordinated counter terror operations in urban counter terrorism contingencies.
- The exercise is also aimed at improving bilateral cooperation between India and the U.S. in matters relating to combating terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations,” a statement said.
The joint exercise also involved sharing of best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures, over a wide spectrum of counter terror operations, in urban environments including close quarter battle, building intervention drills and hostage rescue operations etc.
Q1:What is NSG?
National Security Guard is an elite force providing a second line of defence for the nation. The NSG members are also known as Black Cats because of the black drill cotton coveralls and balaclavas, or helmets, they wear.
Source: India-U.S. joint exercise to counter urban terrorism contingencies to conclude in Kolkata today
Last updated on January, 2026
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Interview Guidance Programme for expert help to crack your final UPSC stage.
→ UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now out.
→ UPSC Notification 2026 is scheduled to be released on January 14, 2026.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis.
→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India

