Indian Air Force Day 2026: 94th Anniversary, Theme, History and Tarang Shakti

Indian Air Force Day is annually celebrated on October 8 every year to mark the foundation of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the year 1932. This year, Indian Air Force Day 2026 will commemorate its 94th anniversary as an armed force. Celebrations this year will be extra special due to their connection with Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 which is a multinational air exercise that will be taking place at Air Force Station Jodhpur with the theme “Power in Partnership.”

The IAF is responsible for the air defense of India and also carries out airlifts, surveillance, rescue, disaster relief and humanitarian aid missions.

When is Indian Air Force Day 2026?

Indian Air Force Day will be celebrated on October 8, 2026, on Thursday.

This date marks the foundation of the IAF on October 8, 1932, during the colonial era of the country.

The event is alternatively called IAF Day or Indian Air Force Raising Day.

Why is Indian Air Force Day celebrated?

IAF Day marks the day of formation of the Indian Air Force along with honouring the services rendered by IAF personnel in ensuring the national security of India.

From the time of India’s Independence, Indian Air Force has participated in several military operations, ranging from the Jammu & Kashmir Operations in 1947-48, the 1965 and 1971 wars as well as the Kargil War. It has moved beyond just combat missions and is now used for transport, surveillance, search and rescue missions and also for providing relief in case of disasters.

History of Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force was founded on October 8, 1932, during the era of British rule in India. Its first operational squadron, 1 Squadron, came into existence in 1933.

Since 1947, after Independence, Indian Air Force has become an integral part of India’s defense system. Indian Air Force has increased its capabilities over the decades by adding fighters, transports, helicopters, air defense and surveillance equipment.

Indian Air Force Day 2026 and Exercise Tarang Shakti

Some of the major happenings that occurred during the celebrations were Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026.

It is a multinational air exercise which was held from September 26 to October 12, 2026, with operational phases in Air Force Station Jodhpur. The theme of the exercise was “Power in Partnership.”

Countries participating in the exercise mentioned in the provided sources were,

Australia
USA
United Arab Emirates
France
Germany
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh

Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 offers participating air forces an opportunity for joint training and operational learning experience along with professional interactions and enhanced interoperability. Besides, the exercise also concentrates on aerospace safety, operational procedures, and cultural exchanges.

Suryakiran Aerobatic Team

Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) is the renowned aerobatic demonstration team of the Indian Air Force.

The team was formed in 1996 at Bidar and is famous for precision flying and aerial formations. In 2026, Suryakiran marked its 30th year anniversary and has completed more than 800 air shows within India and abroad, as per the provided source.

Suryakiran team flies Hawk Mk-132 aircraft.

The demonstrations by the team showcase,

Precision
Discipline
Teamwork
Coordination
Professional flying skills
Courage

Motto of Indian Air Force

The motto of the Indian Air Force is,

“Nabhah Sparsham Diptam”

This stands for “Touch the Sky with Glory.” The motto reflects the ambition, bravery and professionalism linked with the IAF.

Theme of Indian Air Force Day 2026

The Jagran Josh source provided below has a contradiction regarding the theme of the 2026 Indian Air Force Day. On one hand, the opening paragraphs talk about the celebrations in 2026. On the other hand, the source itself clearly mentions that the theme for the year 2026 has not been officially announced yet, whereas the theme of the 93rd anniversary celebration in 2025 was “Indian Air Force – Infallible, Impervious and Precise.”

Hence, the following distinction is drawn from the provided source,