Facial recognition at airports from 2022
Context: After a delay of three years, come March 2022, passengers will be able to use a face scan as their boarding pass at four airports in the country. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology, GS-III: Internal Security Challenges Dimensions of the Article: About the implementation of Facial Recognition Introduction to Face Recognition How does it […]
Afghanistan, the rise of a narco-terrorist state
Context: India’s anxieties over ungoverned spaces and lawless Afghanistan turning into a significant source of internal security threat are gradually turning into reality. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), opium production in Afghanistan has crossed 6,000 tonnes for the fifth consecutive year. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s […]
How to win over Kashmiri youth?
Context: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been on the boil since Independence. Several solutions to the problem of militancy have been put forth. Recently, there was a suggestion that de-radicalisation camps should be organised for the youth. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism) Dimensions of the Article: Radicalization Types of […]
DAC clears AK-203 deal with Russia
Context: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the long-pending deal for the manufacture of 6.71 lakh AK-203 assault rifles in India, according to a defence source. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges Dimensions of the Article: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) About the AK-203 assault rifles deal Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) As an overarching structure, the Defence […]
Joint Parliamentary Committee on Personal Data Protection Bill
Context: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill 2019, has argued in its report defending the controversial exemption clause that allows the Government to keep any of its agencies outside the purview of the law. The JPC said that a secure nation alone provides the atmosphere which ensures personal liberty and […]
RBI panel moots law to regulate digital lending
Context: A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Working Group (WG) on digital lending, including lending through online platforms and mobile apps, has recommended a separate legislation to oversee such lending as well as a nodal agency to vet the Digital Lending Apps. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Cyber security related issues), GS-III: Indian Economy Dimensions […]
Third edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC)
Context: The 3rd edition of Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) – 2021 is being held in November 2021 under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges Dimensions of the Article: About the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) About the Indian Ocean About the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Challenges in Indian Ocean Region […]
Indian military ineffective sans Russian equipment
Context: A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report has said that the Indian military cannot operate effectively without Russian supplied equipment. The report is crucial in the pretext of the US administration’s review of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges, GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: More about the […]
Navy to host its largest exercise, Ex Milan in 2022
Context: India is set to host its largest naval exercise, Ex Milan, early 2022 for which 46 countries have been invited according to a senior defence official. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Internal Security Challenges, GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: Milan (naval exercise) Organization and the Commands of the Indian Navy About recent developments in […]
‘Pandora Papers’ expose offshore assets of heads of state
Context: More than a dozen heads of state and government, including the King of Jordan and the Czech Prime Minister, have hidden millions in offshore tax havens, according to the so-called “Pandora Papers” investigation published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) media consortium. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Money Laundering), GS-II: International Relations […]