💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (August Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Subject: Internal Security

  • Compound effect: On digital arrest scams

    Introduction

    The Supreme Court of India’s recent directive for a comprehensive probe into proliferating digital scams underscores the scale and sophistication of cyber fraud plaguing Indian citizens. The Court’s focus on “digital arrest” scams, where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money highlights a disturbing transformation in global cybercrime: industrial-scale scam operations embedded in Southeast Asian conflict zones.

    Why in the News

    For the first time, the Supreme Court has intervened directly to address the globalised architecture of digital scams targeting Indian citizens. These scams run from “scam compounds” in Myanmar, Cambodia, and other parts of Southeast Asia combine human trafficking, digital slavery, and organised crime. Thousands of Indians have fallen victim, some trafficked to operate scams, others defrauded online. The situation represents both a national security concern and a humanitarian crisis, demanding urgent multilateral action.

    Understanding the ‘Scam Compound’ Phenomenon

    1. Industrial-scale operations: Scam compounds operate from conflict-ridden or special economic zones in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, exploiting weak governance.
    2. Cross-border architecture: These are not isolated crimes but coordinated, transnational enterprises involving militias, private entities, and local regimes.
    3. Digital slavery model: Trafficked individuals are forced, under threat and torture, to perpetrate scams such as “digital arrest,” “pig butchering,” and crypto investment frauds.
    4. State complicity: In Myanmar, regime-backed Border Guard Forces allegedly facilitate these compounds, converting scams into revenue streams for military operations.

    KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

    How the Digital Scam Network Operates

    1. Recruitment through deception: Victims are lured by fake job ads in cities like Bangkok, offering attractive salaries under visa-free entry regimes.
    2. Trafficking & confinement: Once recruited, they are trafficked into border regions controlled by ethnic militias in Myanmar and held captive in “digital sweatshops.”
    3. Coercive work environment: Workers face violence, sexual harassment, and torture if they fail to meet scam targets.
    4. Key scam types:
      1. “Digital arrest scams” impersonation of law enforcement to extort money.
      2. “Pig butchering scams” combining online romance and crypto fraud.
    5. Crypto laundering networks: Proceeds are funneled via money mules and institutions like Cambodia’s Huione Pay, then converted into cryptocurrency to evade tracing.

    Why Southeast Asia Became the Epicentre

    1. Conflict & weak governance: Myanmar’s post-2021 coup turmoil has enabled militia-run economies.
    2. Borderland lawlessness: Regions under Border Guard Forces function beyond formal state oversight.
    3. Economic desperation: Regional instability and poverty create fertile recruitment grounds.
    4. Regime complicity: Militias tax scam centres to fund armed operations, sustaining a vicious cycle of profit and repression.

    India’s Dual Crisis

    1. Forced scam labour: Thousands of Indian citizens trafficked and enslaved in these compounds.
    2. Domestic victimisation: Thousands more in India fall prey to online frauds orchestrated by these same captives.
    3. Diplomatic and enforcement challenge: Tackling both victim rescue abroad and fraud prevention at home requires synchronised national and international coordination.

    Policy Imperatives and India’s Way Forward

    1. Public awareness campaigns: The Reserve Bank of India and Union Ministries must amplify citizen education about emerging digital fraud patterns.
    2. Cybercrime infrastructure: Strengthening cyber policing, digital forensics, and cross-border data sharing frameworks.
    3. Regional cooperation: Collaborate with China, Thailand, Vietnam, and affected ASEAN nations to forge joint task forces.
    4. Diplomatic pressure: Use bilateral and multilateral diplomacy to pressurise Myanmar’s junta and Cambodia’s regime to dismantle scam hubs.
    5. Global recognition: Mobilise the United Nations to classify this crisis as a modern manifestation of slavery needing urgent international intervention.

    Conclusion

    The proliferation of scam compounds across Southeast Asia exposes the dark underbelly of the global digital economy where technology meets trafficking. For India, the challenge is dual: protect citizens from victimisation and rescue those coerced into perpetration. This crisis demands that India integrate cyber security, diplomacy, and human rights enforcement under one coordinated regional framework.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also, discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.

    Linkage: This question directly relates to the rise of transnational scam compounds in Southeast Asia that exploit digital networks to target Indian citizens. It underscores the urgent need for coordinated international and domestic cyber defense frameworks.

  • Exercise MILAN, 2026

    Why in the News?

    India will host the International Fleet Review, Exercise MILAN- 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs together in Visakhapatnam from February 15–25, 2026.

    About Exercise MILAN:

    • Overview: Biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy to promote interoperability, maritime cooperation, and goodwill among friendly navies.
    • Origin: First conducted in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command with participation from Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
    • Growth: Expanded over the years to include 40–55 participating nations, reflecting India’s growing maritime diplomacy under Act East Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
    • Participation: The 2026 edition will see participation from over 50 navies, including the U.S., Russia, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
    • Venue: The 2026 edition will be hosted at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command, marking the largest MILAN to date.
    • Structure: Conducted in two phases, a Harbour Phase (seminars, workshops, cultural exchanges, planning conferences) and a Sea Phase (joint operational exercises).
    • Sea Phase Activities: Includes anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence, maritime domain awareness (MDA), search and rescue (SAR), and complex fleet manoeuvres.
    • Strategic Significance: Strengthens regional maritime security, demonstrates India’s indigenous naval capabilities, and reinforces its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

    Back2Basics: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

    • Overview: A voluntary, multilateral maritime cooperation initiative launched by the Indian Navy in 2008 to enhance regional maritime security and dialogue among littoral nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
    • Membership: Comprises 25 member states and 9 observer countries, spanning Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
    • Objective: To promote maritime safety, security, capacity building, information sharing, and cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
    • Chairmanship: The chairmanship rotates biennially among member nations; India will assume the chair for 2025–2027.
    • Key Areas of Focus:
      • Enhancing maritime domain awareness (MDA) and information exchange.
      • Combating piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and terrorism at sea.
      • Strengthening maritime connectivity and blue economy cooperation.
      • Coordinating disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations.

     

    [UPSC 2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

    1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

    2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

    3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.

    4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4*

     

  • KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

    Why in the News?

    Around 500 Indian nationals who escaped the KK Park cybercrime compound in Myawaddy township, southeastern Myanmar, are being rescued by the Government of India.

    KK Park Cyber Scam Hub in Myanmar

    About KK Park Cyber Scam Hub:

    • Location & Setting: Situated in Myawaddy township, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thailand border; originally built (2019–2021) as a border trade zone, later transformed into a cybercrime and human trafficking hub.
    • Control & Operations: Managed by the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Saw Chit Thu, a junta-allied militia leader sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
    • Nature of Activities: Functions as a “scam city” employing thousands of trafficked workers for online fraud, crypto scams, and romance-investment schemes.
    • Human Trafficking: Victims are recruited via fake overseas job offers, then imprisoned, tortured, and forced to commit cybercrimes after passport confiscation.
    • Scale: At its peak, housed over 20,000 trafficked workers, generating billions annually through global online fraud networks.
    • Structure: Operated like a self-contained enclave with dormitories, shops, and armed security — preventing worker escape.

    Global Concern and UN Findings:

    • UN Reports:  Identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) as part of a network of cyber-scam compounds spanning Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).
    • Economic Scale: The cyber-scam economy earns over USD 10 billion annually, victimising users in 110 countries.
    • Myanmar’s 2025 Raid: Seizure of 30 Starlink terminals was seen as a cosmetic crackdown, as ringleaders escaped beforehand.
    • UN Appeal: Calls for cross-border enforcement, crypto tracking, and victim rehabilitation, viewing scam hubs as a fusion of trafficking and transnational organised crime.

    How does it impact Indians?

    • Victimisation: India serves as both a source and target of such scams; hundreds trafficked to Myanmar and Cambodia under fake IT job offers.
    • Rescue Operations: Since 2022, over 1,600 Indians repatriated, including 500 from KK Park (2025); IAF rescued 283 stranded in Thailand earlier.
    • Cyber Threats: Rising crypto frauds, impersonation scams, and digital extortion targeting Indian citizens.
    • Government Response: EAM S. Jaishankar confirmed coordination for repatriation and stronger cyber-diplomacy engagement.
    • Policy Imperative: Highlights India’s need for international law enforcement cooperation, cybersecurity awareness, and anti-trafficking vigilance across Southeast Asia.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
    Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d’état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
    Options: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I *
    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    (c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
    (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

     

  • [pib] Exercise KONKAN-25

    Why in the News?

    Exercise KONKAN-25 has commenced off the western coast of India, marking two decades of India–UK maritime cooperation.

    About Exercise KONKAN:

    • Nature & Objective: Exercise KONKAN is an annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.
    • Objective: To strengthen interoperability, joint maritime operations, and mutual understanding.
    • Origin: Initiated in 2004, the exercise has expanded into a multi-domain naval engagement involving surface, sub-surface, and aerial warfare.
    • Venue Rotation: Conducted alternately in Indian and UK waters, it symbolises the long-standing India–UK strategic defence partnership.
    • Vision: It aligns with the India–UK Vision 2035, promoting free, open, and rules-based seas across the Indo-Pacific.

    Key Features:

    • Two-Phase Format:
      • Harbour Phase – Professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports & cultural events, subject-matter expert exchanges, and working group meetings.
      • Sea Phase – Complex operational drills including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, flying operations, seamanship drills, and live-fire gunnery.
    • Major Participants (2025):
      • India – Carrier Battle Group led by INS Vikrant, supported by destroyers, frigates, submarines, and naval air assets.
      • United Kingdom – Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG-25) led by HMS Prince of Wales, joined by allies Norway (HNoMS Roald Amundsen) and Japan (JS Akebono).
    • Special Highlight: First-ever carrier strike group collaboration between India and the UK, marking a new milestone in joint naval power projection.
    [UPSC 2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

    1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

    2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

    3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.

    4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4*

     

  • A red sunset? Why Maoist movement is on the decline

    Introduction

    For nearly six decades, the Maoist insurgency has tested India’s state capacity, governance, and security architecture. Born from socio-economic inequalities and agrarian distress, it once posed a threat spanning the “Red Corridor” from Andhra Pradesh to Bihar. However, in 2025, India seems to be witnessing what could be a historical inflection point, a near end of the movement. The combination of relentless security operations, developmental outreach, and ideological erosion has pushed the insurgency to its lowest ebb in history, limited now to just 38 districts.

    Why is this in the news?

    For the first time in six decades, the Maoist movement has reached the brink of extinction. This sharp decline is a historic reversal from the early 2000s, when the insurgency had spread across nearly 180 districts, posing an existential challenge to internal peace.

    The Union Home Ministry’s data for 2025 reveals:

    1. 270 Maoists killed, 680 arrested, and 1,225 surrendered.
    2. The insurgency is now confined to 38 districts, a dramatic fall from its 2005 peak.
    3. Top Maoist leaders, including Mallojula Venugopal Rao, have called for the “cessation of armed struggle”, signaling an ideological collapse within.
    4. This represents a turning point in India’s counter-insurgency history, where military, governance, and psychological strategies appear to have converged successfully.

    What led to the decline of the Maoist movement?

    • Relentless Security Operations
      1. Persistent operations by security forces under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and state police coordination have dismantled Maoist strongholds.
      2. Leaders such as Katta Ramachandra Reddy and Kalayari Reddy have been neutralized, causing organizational paralysis.
    • Curtailment of Resources: Maoists face acute shortages of arms, ammunition, and funding, with security blockades choking supply lines across Bastar-Dandakaranya region.
    • Collapse of Ideological Unity: 
      1. Internal ideological fractures deepened after the deaths of key leaders like Kishenji and Charu Majumdar.
      2. Letters by surviving leaders calling for surrender reflect a moral fatigue within the movement.
    • Tribal Alienation: Once rooted in tribal grievances, the Maoist narrative lost resonance as tribal communities began benefiting from welfare schemes, education, and employment programs.

    Has this happened before? Understanding the cyclical pattern

    • Historical Fluctuations: The Maoist movement, born in Naxalbari (West Bengal, 1967), has seen cycles of rise and suppression.
      1. 1970s: Spread into Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
      2. 1990s: Revival through the People’s War Group (PWG).
      3. 2000s: Peak insurgency affecting nearly 180 districts.
    • Distinctiveness of 2025 Phase: Unlike previous lulls, this decline is structural, not temporary—rooted in the erosion of ideology and grassroots support rather than mere state force.

    Is the movement really over?

    1. Residual Threats Persist:
      1. Maoist influence lingers in border areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
      2. Their transition to smaller, mobile guerrilla units may prolong low-intensity violence.
    2. Surrender vs. Rehabilitation:
      1. While many cadres have surrendered, effective reintegration policies—jobs, skill-building, and psychological counseling—remain key to ensuring they don’t relapse into militancy.
    3. Need for Vigilance: Experts warn against complacency. Maoism thrives in governance vacuums—where corruption, displacement, or inequality persist, new movements could emerge.

    What lessons does this offer for internal security and governance?

    1. Integrated Strategy Works: A mix of security action, development, and psychological outreach has proven effective—embodying the “Samadhan Doctrine” (Solution through Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation, and Action).
    2. Development as Deterrence: Expanding roads, schools, and welfare programs in tribal areas helped dismantle Maoist influence.
    3. Institutional Coordination: Joint efforts by the Centre and States, under continuous review of MHA, have created sustained momentum.

    Conclusion

    The “Red Sunset” of the Maoist insurgency is not just a victory of arms but a triumph of governance and persistence. India’s approach, combining security precision with socio-economic inclusion, offers a replicable model for countering internal conflicts.

    However, sustaining peace will depend on addressing root causes, land alienation, forest rights, and local governance deficits, lest another insurgency rises from the same soil.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2022] Naxalism is a social, economic and development issues manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.

    Linkage: The 2025 developments highlighted in “A Red Sunset” perfectly exemplify how the government’s multi-dimensional approach, combining security operations, socio-economic welfare, and ideological disengagement, has yielded tangible results. It reinforces the UPSC 2022 theme that Naxalism is not merely a law-and-order issue but a socio-economic one demanding a holistic, multilayered strategy.

  • Sir Creek Border Dispute

    Why in the News?

    Union Defence Minister recently warned Pakistan against misadventure in the Sir Creek region, stressing India’s resolve to defend its territorial integrity.

    Sir Creek Border Dispute

    About Sir Creek:

    • Location & Geography: Sir Creek is a 96-km-long tidal estuary in the Rann of Kutch, forming part of the border between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan).
    • Physical Features: It flows into the Arabian Sea, with marshy, saline mudflats that provide vital habitat for migratory birds.
    • Historical Name: Originally known as Ban Ganga, renamed Sir Creek after a British surveyor, Sir Richard Burton (commonly credited).
    • Economic & Strategic Importance: The area hosts rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas deposits, while being crucial for maritime boundary delimitation and coastal security.

    Historical Background of the Dispute:

    • 1908 Conflict: Disagreement between the Kutch ruler (British India) and Sindh government over fishing rights and territorial limits.
    • 1914 Bombay Government Resolution: Placed the boundary along the eastern bank (favouring Sindh/Pakistan), but also referred to the Thalweg Principle, supporting India’s claim.
      • This principle defines the border along the line of greatest depth of a river’s main navigable channel
    • 1924–25 Developments: Boundary pillars were erected and Survey of India maps marked the mid-channel as the boundary, strengthening India’s case.
    • Post-Partition Period: Dispute intensified; following the 1965 India–Pakistan war, the Rann of Kutch issue went to a UN-sponsored Tribunal.
    • 1968 Tribunal Award: Allocated 90% of the Rann to India but excluded Sir Creek, leaving it unresolved.
    • Post-1982 UNCLOS Impact: With the introduction of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), control over Sir Creek gained renewed importance for maritime claims and resource access.

    India’s Position:

    • Navigability Claim: India asserts that Sir Creek is navigable at high tide, making the Thalweg Principle applicable.
    • Legal & Historical Basis:
      • 1925 Resolution and Survey of India maps.
      • Boundary pillars of 1924 marking mid-channel.
      • 1819 Treaty between East India Company and Kutch rulers, showing continued Indian jurisdiction.
    • Geographical Argument: India maintains the Rann is land, not water, invalidating Pakistan’s demand for median-line division.
    • Strategic Implication: Acceptance of India’s position ensures larger EEZ access, security leverage, and greater control in the Arabian Sea.
    [UPSC 2022] Consider the following countries:

    1. Azerbaijan 2. Kyrgyzstan 3. Tajikistan 4. Turkmenistan 5. Uzbekistan

    Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan ?

    Options: (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 3, 4 and 5 only* (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

  • An anti-terror role that defies logic

    Introduction

    The global fight against terrorism is rooted in credibility, trust, and collective responsibility. Yet, the United Nations’ recent decision to entrust Pakistan with leadership positions in the Taliban Sanctions Committee and as Vice-Chair of the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee has sparked disbelief. For a country long accused of sheltering terrorists, from Osama bin Laden to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, this appointment is not just ironic but deeply unsettling. Coupled with financial support such as the IMF’s billion-dollar loan to Pakistan despite concerns of terror financing, these developments expose critical vulnerabilities in the UN system. For India, which continues to suffer from cross-border terrorism, this represents a significant diplomatic and security challenge.

    Why is this in the news?

    Pakistan, accused for decades of harbouring terrorists and backing attacks on Indian soil, has been elevated to leadership in global counter-terrorism mechanisms. The timing is striking: the move came just weeks after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack where terrorists killed Indian tourists, followed by India’s Operation Sindoor against terror launchpads. To add to the irony, Pakistan also assumed the UNSC Presidency in July 2025. This is not the first time the UN has made such questionable appointments (Libya on Human Rights, Saudi Arabia on Women’s Rights), but Pakistan’s case is especially alarming given its record of state-sponsored terror. The decision casts doubt on the UN’s integrity, raises questions about its vetting process, and undermines India’s global campaign to expose Pakistan as a terror sponsor.

    How has Pakistan’s role in terrorism been established?

    1. Osama bin Laden Shelter: Found in Abbottabad, near Pakistan’s military academy.
    2. Cross-border attacks: From the 2008 Mumbai attacks to the 2019 Pulwama bombing and the 2025 Pahalgam attack, evidence points to Pakistan-backed groups.
    3. Terror groups supported: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and networks across Afghanistan and Balochistan.
    4. Public protection of terrorists: Hafiz Saeed, despite being a UN-designated terrorist, continues to appear at PoK launchpads and public events under the watch of Pakistan’s security forces.

    Why is Pakistan’s UN role a paradox?

    1. Contradiction with objectives: Pakistan’s terror links directly undermine the goals of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.
    2. FATF leniency: Removal from the FATF grey list in 2022 despite unresolved financing concerns highlights weak vetting.
    3. Geopolitical trade-offs: Powerful nations enable Pakistan’s elevation to secure their own strategic and economic interests.
    4. Dangerous precedent: It signals that state-sponsored terror can be diplomatically whitewashed.

    What loopholes in the UN system does this expose?

    1. Selection flaws: No stringent vetting for compliance with counter-terrorism standards.
    2. Inconsistent moral compass: Earlier cases include Libya chairing the UNHRC and Saudi Arabia heading UN Women’s Rights Commission.
    3. Financial contradictions: IMF’s $1 billion loan in May 2025, just after the Pahalgam attack, raises ethical red flags.
    4. Rewarding duplicity: Pakistan even announced ₹14 crore compensation to families of terrorists, including kin of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

    How does this affect India’s security and diplomacy?

    1. Narrative war: Pakistan may use its position to shift blame for regional instability onto India.
    2. UNSC power play: As vice-chair, Pakistan can obstruct India’s efforts to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists.
    3. Taliban equation: Pakistan could derail India’s outreach to the Taliban regime.
    4. Increased threats: Likely escalation of infiltration, asymmetric warfare, and cyber-attacks on India.

    What counter-measures can India adopt?

    1. Diplomatic alliances: Leverage partnerships with UNSC members to balance Pakistan’s influence.
    2. Narrative building: Intensify global campaigns via media, academia, and diaspora to expose Pakistan’s duplicity.
    3. Engage Taliban directly: Humanitarian missions in Kabul to weaken Pakistan’s monopoly.
    4. Security strengthening: Bolster intelligence and counter-infiltration mechanisms.
    5. Push for accountability: Advocate for periodic reviews and performance audits of UN counter-terrorism bodies.

    Conclusion

    The UN’s decision to entrust Pakistan with counter-terrorism roles is more than a diplomatic anomaly, it is a strategic failure with global repercussions. For India, it signifies a heightened threat environment, a greater diplomatic challenge, and a call for proactive global engagement. What begins as “a seat at the table” could soon translate into control over the agenda. The real danger is not Pakistan’s presence in UN committees but the global community pretending it does not matter.

    UPSC Relevance

    [UPSC 2015] Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples.

    Linkage: Pakistan’s elevation to UN counter-terrorism roles despite its proven terror links deepens mutual distrust with India, underscoring why soft power avenues like sports and cultural exchanges remain fragile yet essential tools to rebuild limited goodwill.

  • National Security Act of 1980

    Why in the News?

    Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, leading the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Leh.

    About the National Security Act, 1980:

    • Enactment: Passed on 23 September 1980; applicable across India (earlier not in Jammu & Kashmir).
    • Constitutional Basis: Rooted in Article 22(3)(b) (preventive detention permitted) and Article 22(4) (limit of 3 months unless Board approves).
    • Objective: Provides for preventive detention to safeguard defence, national security, public order, foreign relations, and essential supplies/services.
    • Grounds for Detention: Acts prejudicial to India’s defence or security, harming foreign relations, disturbing public order, endangering essential supplies, or regulating foreigners’ presence/expulsion.
    • Authorities Empowered: Centre, States, District Magistrates, and Police Commissioners (if authorised).
    • Duration: Detention up to 12 months; must communicate grounds within 5 days (extendable to 15). A person can be held 10 days without disclosure of charges.
    • Advisory Board: Composed of three persons qualified to be High Court judges. Orders reviewed within 3 weeks; if no sufficient cause exists, release is mandatory.
    • Background: Builds on colonial-era Bengal Regulation III (1818), Rowlatt Acts (1919), post-independence Preventive Detention Act (1950), and MISA (1971, repealed 1977). Reintroduced by Indira Gandhi in 1980.

    Legal Options after Arrest under NSA:

    • Representation to Government: Detainee can file a written representation challenging detention.
    • Advisory Board Review: Must be reviewed within 3 weeks; release ordered if detention unjustified.
    • Judicial Remedies: Writ petition in High Court (Art. 226) or Supreme Court (Art. 32).
    • Revocation: Centre or State may revoke detention anytime.
    • Limitations: No right to lawyer before Advisory Board; grounds may be withheld in “public interest.”
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances.

    2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to a person being held for preventive detention.

    3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, the confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

    (a) Only one* (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

     

  • India’s first overseas Defence Facility in Morocco

    Why in the News?

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems’ plant at Berrechid, Morocco—India’s first overseas and Morocco’s largest defence manufacturing facility.

    About India’s Morocco Defence Facility:

    • Developer: Established by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) – India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility and Morocco’s largest defence plant.
    • Scale & Capacity: Spread over 20,000 sq. m. with capacity to produce ~100 armoured vehicles annually.
    • Product: Focused on the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, jointly developed by TASL and DRDO.
    • Variants: Modular designs include Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Armoured Personnel Carrier, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Command Post, Mortar Carrier, and Ambulance.
    • Operations: First deliveries to the Royal Moroccan Army scheduled for October 2025.

    Significance:

    • Strategic Expansion: Extends India’s defence vision from Make in India to Make for the World.
    • Diplomatic Milestone: Symbolises stronger India–Morocco defence ties, marked by the first visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Morocco.
    • Economic & Employment Boost: Creates jobs in Morocco; 33% local sourcing of components (to increase to 50%).
    • Export Hub: Morocco’s location makes it a gateway to Africa and Europe, enhancing India’s defence export footprint.
    • Security Role: Enhances regional defence capacity and establishes India as a credible global supplier of armoured vehicles.
    [UPSC 2017] What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

    Options: (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.

    (b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.

    (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. *

    (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

     

  • Upgradation of Army Radars

    Why in the News?

    After Operation Sindoor and Pakistani drone incursions, the Army is upgrading air defence with advanced radars to counter low-RCS (radar cross-section) drones and other aerial threats along northern and western borders.

    What are Radars?

    • About: Radar stands for Radio Detection and Ranging; it uses radio waves to locate, track, and measure speed of objects.
    • Components: Transmitter emits radio signals, receiver captures reflections.
    • Functions: Measures direction, distance (via time delay), and velocity (via Doppler shift).
    • Types in air defence:
      • Surveillance radars: Monitor airspace and detect aerial objects, not directly linked to weapons.
      • Fire control radars: Provide targeting data to guide anti-aircraft guns or missiles.

    Current Indian Capabilities:

    • Indian Air Force: Operates High-Power Radars and Medium-Power Radars for long-range, high-altitude threats such as jets, AWACS, and large transport aircraft.
      • For fire control, the Air Force employs systems like the 3D Central Acquisition Radar and Rajendra radar.
    • Indian Army: Uses Low-Level Light-Weight Radars, designed to pick up low-flying, small radar cross-section objects like drones.
      • Upgraded Flycatcher and Air Defence Tactical Control Radar systems to aim weapons and manage local defence.

    India’s Air Defence Infrastructure:

    • Missile systems: Includes Russian S-400 and the indigenous Akash missile system.
    • Army’s Akashteer system: Integrates radars, sensors, air defence guns, and communications into a real-time operational air picture.
    • IAF’s IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System): Unifies data from multiple assets for coordinated detection and interception.
    • Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Ongoing modernisation programme; DRDO recently tested the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following activities:

    1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft

    2. Monitoring of precipitation

    3. Tracking the migration of animals

    In how many of the above activities can the radars be used?

    (a) Only one (b) Only two* (c) All three (d) None