Answer: March 18
Notes: Ordnance Factory Day 2026 is celebrated across India on 18 March to honour the country’s legacy in defence manufacturing and self-reliance. The day commemorates the beginning of production at India’s first ordnance factory in Cossipore, Kolkata, in 1802, highlighting its historical importance in strengthening national security. India’s ordnance manufacturing network consists of 41 factories employing over 70,000 personnel, contributing significantly to defence preparedness. These factories produce a wide range of defence equipment, including small arms, artillery, armoured vehicles, parachutes, and military electronics, and also export products to more than 30 countries.
