Explore the surge in global military spending, India’s position among the top 5, and key insights for UPSC, SSC, and Banking exam aspirants. Stay updated with Atharva Examwise blog.
India Among Top 5 Global Military Spenders: Key Insights for Exam Preparation
Global Military Spending Hits Record High
The world is witnessing an unprecedented surge in military expenditure. According to the latest Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, global military spending reached $2,718 billion in 2024, marking a 9.4% increase from the previous year-the steepest annual rise since at least 198813. This consistent upward trend, with a 37% increase over the past decade, reflects rising geopolitical tensions across Europe, West Asia, and Asia1.
India’s Defence Budget: A Closer Look
India stands out as the fifth-largest military spender globally, with an annual defence budget of $86.1 billion in 2024-a 1.6% rise from the previous year3. This figure is nearly nine times higher than Pakistan’s defence expenditure, highlighting India’s significant investment in national security3. Since 2015, India’s military spending has surged by 42%, underlining its growing focus on modernizing defence capabilities.
Top 5 Military Spenders in 2024
| Country | Military Spending (USD Billion) | Share of Global Spending (%) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 997 | 37 |
| China | 296 | 12 |
| Russia | 109 | 5.5 |
| Germany | 75 | 3.3 |
| India | 86.1 | 3.2 |
Why Are Defence Budgets Rising?
Geopolitical Tensions: Ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and unrest in West Asia have prompted nations to boost defence allocations12.
NATO Commitments: All NATO members increased their military spending in 2024, with 18 out of 32 members allocating at least 2% of their GDP to defence-the highest since 20142.
Modernization Drives: Countries are investing in advanced technologies and military modernization to maintain strategic advantages2.
Implications for Competitive Exam Aspirants
For those preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exams, understanding these trends is crucial. Defence and security topics frequently appear in current affairs, general studies, and essay sections.
How to Approach Defence Budget Topics in Exams
Stay Updated: Regularly follow credible sources like the Atharva Examwise blog for the latest updates on global and national defence trends.
Understand the Data: Memorize key statistics, such as India’s rank, its defence budget, and comparative figures with other major countries.
Analyze Implications: Be prepared to discuss the impact of rising defence budgets on economic policy, international relations, and national security.
Practice Answer Writing: Frame answers that link defence expenditure trends to broader issues like fiscal policy, technological advancement, and geopolitical strategy.
Quick Facts for Revision
Global military spending in 2024: $2,718 billion (₹231 lakh crore)13.
India’s defence budget: $86.1 billion, 5th highest in the world3.
Top 5 spenders account for 60% of global military expenditure3.
All NATO members increased spending; 18 spent over 2% of GDP on defence2.
India’s military spending grew by 42% since 20153.
Key Takeaways for Exam Preparation
Current Affairs Priority: Defence budget trends are highly relevant for UPSC, SSC, and Banking exams-expect questions in both prelims and mains.
Data-Driven Answers: Use up-to-date figures and rankings to support your arguments in descriptive answers.
Analytical Approach: Go beyond rote learning-analyze the reasons behind rising defence budgets and their implications for India and the world.
Stay Examwise: Follow the Atharva Examwise blog for regular insights, practice questions, and expert strategies tailored for competitive exam success.
Stay informed, stay prepared-because understanding global trends is key to cracking competitive exams!
