US HAS REACHED A DEAL WITH THE TALIBAN TO REDUCE DEADLY ATTACKS
The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence All along that the best, if not only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement This deal will take effect “very soon” and could lead to the withdrawal of an unspecified number of American troops from Afghanistan. “Reduction in […]
HAFEEZ SAEED AND TERROR FINANCING
Why in news? Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people and injured hundreds more, has been sentenced to jail in Pakistan for Five and a half years on terror finance charges. Saeed, a UN designated terrorist and head of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), was found guilty of “being […]
PM PITCHES FOR BOOST TO DEFENCE EXPORTS
Why in news? India became the world’s largest arms importer as it did not utilize its capacities to full potential after Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated He asserted that India was looking to achieve defence exports worth ₹35,000 crore in the next five years A long-term integrated defence plan was being conceptualized with emphasis on […]
NO DECISION YET ON PAN INDIA NRC, MINISTER TELLS PARLIAMENT
Why in news? The government informed the Lok Sabha that till now it “has not taken any decision to prepare National Register of Citizens (NRC) at the national level.” Form not finalised The NPR form is yet to be finalised and notified but the trial form last year collected details from 30 lakh respondents on 21 […]
NOD FOR 83 LCA TEJAS MK-1A
Focus: GS-III Internal Security, Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister on 18th March 2020, accorded approval for the procurement of 83 indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by “finalising the contractual and other issues”. The proposal will now […]
MPS’ PANEL CONCERNED AT DEFENCE FUND SHORTFALL
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Why in news? The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has expressed concern at the widening gap between projections and allocations in the defence budget impacting modernisation and has recommended a dedicated fund for committed liabilities and procurements. The shortfall in allocation has also effected setting up of three tri-service organisations and […]
WOMEN IN DEFENCE FORCES
Focus: GS-III Internal Security, GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Year wise induction details of women officers in the three armed forces during the past three years and current year, given in a written reply is as follows: 2017 2018 2019 2020 Indian Army 949 819 364 01 Indian Air Force 59 59 51 […]
DEFENCE CORRIDORS AT TAMIL NADU
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Why in news? In pursuance to the Union Budget announcement (2018-19), it has been decided to set up two Defence Industrial Corridors in the Country, one in Uttar Pradesh and another in Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, five nodes for Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, viz. Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem and Tiruchirapalli have […]
DEFENCE EXPENDITURE
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, Internal Security Why in news? It may be seen from data of economic survey that Defence Budget as a percentage of GDP may appear to be decreasing due to increasing trend in the growth of GDP. However, it is increasing in absolute terms, implying higher spending. Details The Indian Army, given […]
WITH FALLING ALLOCATION, NAVY LOOKS AT FLEET OPTIMISATION
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Why in news? Facing increasing budgetary constraints and with several bigticket acquisitions lined up, the Navy is looking at adopting unmanned platforms, both aerial and underwater, in a big way. It is firm on a third aircraft carrier and the next line of six advanced submarines under Project-75I. Details As part […]