Maoist influence down from 96 to 41 districts: Home Ministry
Context: The geographical influence of Maoists has contracted to only 41 districts in the country, a sharp reduction from 96 such districts in 10 States in 2010, according to data provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to Chief Ministers and other officials. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism, […]
National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) to finally see light of day
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is soon expected to launch the National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID that aims to provide a “cutting-edge technology to enhance India’s counter-terror capabilities”. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Various Agencies and other interventions regarding Internal Security and their mandate), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies and Interventions) Dimensions of the […]
Ugly face of a crime-fighting move: Facial Recognition System
Context: In June 2021, the Joint Committee examining the Personal Data Protection Bill (2019) was granted a fifth extension by Parliament. The Government is also exploring the potential of facial recognition technology. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology, GS-III: Internal Security Challenges Dimensions of the Article: Introduction to Face Recognition How does it work? About Facial […]
ITBP inducts its first women officers
Context: The India-China LAC guarding the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force commissioned its first two women officers in combat after they completed their training. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Various Security Forces/Agencies and their mandate) Dimensions of the Article: About the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) About the Indo-Tibetan Border Police […]
Made-in-India carrier – INS Vikrant
Context: Recently, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1) set out to sea for its maiden set of trials, propelling India to a select group of nations capable of designing and building a complex platform such as this. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Security Challenges & their Management in Border Areas, Technological Advancements in Defence […]
T.N., U.P. and Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC)
Context: Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have acquired land for the Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC). Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Defence Technology and Infrastructure developments, Government Policies and Interventions) Dimensions of the Article: What are Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC)? Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor What are Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC)? […]
Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021
Context: Recently, the Minister of State for Defence introduced the Essential Defence Services Bill in the Lok Sabha. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges, GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies and Interventions) Dimensions of the Article: What is the Essential Defence Services Bill? Understanding Strikes and the punishments in this context: Industrial Disputes Act 1947 What […]
India and 26 bilateral pacts to fight drug trafficking
Context: According to a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reply in the Lok Sabha – India has signed 26 bilateral pacts, 15 memoranda of understanding and two agreements on security cooperation with different countries for combating the drug trafficking problem. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Organized Crime and Terrorism), GS-II: International Relations (Important International Agreements […]
Pegasus spyware issue in India Explained for UPSC
Context: A number of reports on Pegasus Spyware in India indicate that at least 1,000 Indian phone numbers are in a list of potential targets of surveillance using the Pegasus spyware. An Israeli company, the NSO Group, sells the Pegasus spyware to “vetted governments”. The evidence is strong that Indian citizens were indeed targets of […]
Surveillance reform is the need of the hour
Context: It is worth asking why the government would need to hack phones and install spyware when existing laws already offer impunity for surveillance. This unsettling query arises on the basis of reports emerging from a collaborative investigation by journalists from around the world, including from India’s The Wire, titled the ‘Pegasus Project’. Reports say […]