Skip to main content
UnlockIAS

UPSC Current Affairs

15 topicsDefense & Security: 1Economy: 1Editorial: 2Environment: 5Mapping: 2Misc: 1Scheme: 2Science & Technology: 1
0/15 done
Scheme

1.Fast Track Special Courts Extension (Judicial Reforms)

PIB
Illustration for Fast Track Special Courts Extension (Judicial Reforms)

What & Where

FTSCs = specialised courts for rape & POCSO trials, conceived to cut trial time.

Centrally Sponsored Scheme since Aug 2019; Cabinet cleared continuation to Mar 2026.

761 courts across 30 States/UTs, including 414 exclusive POCSO benches.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Provision: death penalty for child rape under 2018 amendment spurred FTSC creation.
  • Extension: Cabinet nod Nov 2023 grants three-year life till FY 2025-26.
  • Jurisdiction: limited to IPC rape sections & POCSO offences.

Performance Gaps

  • Pendency: projections show 21-30 years to clear backlog in several states.
  • Convictions: only 8,909 of 2.68 lakh trials ended in conviction.
  • Disposal lag: Delhi disposed 1,049 of 4,369 cases by May 2023.

Infrastructure Issues

  • Courts often only redesignated rooms; scarce staff & technology hamper speed.
  • Judges: deputed from regular courts, shortage worsened by 23 % vacancies.
  • Case management: frequent adjournments and evidence delays stall timelines.

Related Initiatives

  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao promotes gender equity and protection.
  • JJ Act 2015 strengthens child care, rehabilitation & offence handling.
  • Child Abuse Prevention & Investigation Unit assists police probe quality.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Admin MinistryDept of Justice, Law & Justice
Legal triggerCriminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018
SC suo-motu orderAug 2019 basis for scheme
Scheme funding100% Centre capex, 60:40 recurring (UTs 100%)
Operational FTSCs761 (Nov 2023)
Exclusive POCSO courts414
States/UTs onboard30
Cases disposed>1.95 lakh
Pending POCSO cases2.43 lakh (31 Jan 2023)
Avg cases cleared/FTSC/yr28 vs target 165
Lower-court vacancy23 % (2022)
Economy

2.India Surpasses Billion-Tonne Coal Output (Coal Sector)

PIB
Illustration for India Surpasses Billion-Tonne Coal Output (Coal Sector)

What & Where

Coal: combustible sedimentary rock; India classifies deposits into Gondwana (Peninsular) and Tertiary (NE & J-K) belts.

FY 2024-25: India topped 1 billion t output, securing global 2nd rank behind China.

Core coal corridors: Damodar, Mahanadi, Godavari valleys and Shillong plateau basins.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Historical Milestones

  • 1774 Raniganj opened; marks start of commercial coal in Asia.
  • 1972–73 twin nationalisations consolidated public control over coking and non-coking mines.
  • 2024-25 billion-tonne output hailed as energy-security landmark.

Geological Categories

  • Gondwana coal: 250–300 my old, bituminous to sub-bituminous, high calorific, states Jharkhand-Maharashtra belt.
  • Tertiary coal: 15–60 my old, mainly lignite/peat, moisture-rich, Assam-Meghalaya-Arunachal arc.
  • Grade spectrum: Anthracite (80–95 %C) > Bituminous > Sub-bituminous > Lignite (40–55 %C).

Industry Structure

  • Coal India Ltd: Maharatna PSU, ~77 % national output, subsidiaries SECL, MCL, NCL etc.
  • SCCL: joint Telangana-Centre firm, prime southern supplier with 23+ underground and opencast mines.
  • Post-2020 reforms: private & captive blocks auctioned, diversifying production base and investment.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
First commercial mine1774, Raniganj (Damodar)
Coking coal nationalised1972, Coking Coal Mines Act
Non-coking coal nationalised1973, Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act
FY 24 production by CIL773.81 MT
FY 24 production by SCCL70.02 MT
India’s global output rank2nd after China
Billion-tonne milestoneFY 2024-25
Largest coal-reserve stateJharkhand
Highest-grade anthracite locusJammu & Kashmir
SECL Gevra mine world rank2nd largest (WorldAtlas 2024)
SECL Kusmunda mine rank4th largest (WorldAtlas 2024)

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2010PYQ 1

Which one of the following is the appropriate reason for considering the Gondwana rocks as most important of rock systems of India?

CDS_GK, GS1 2022PYQ 2

Which one of the following is the first and the oldest Government-owned coal mining company in India?

Mapping

3.Namibia Mapping Overview (Country Mapping)

The Hindu
Illustration for Namibia Mapping Overview (Country Mapping)

What & Where

Namibia — south-western African state fronting the Atlantic Ocean; capital Windhoek.

Milestone — Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah sworn as first female President; Africa’s 2nd directly elected female head of state after Liberia.

Terrain — Coastal Namib Desert, interior Central Plateau, eastern Kalahari; highest point Brandberg 2 573 m.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Political Milestone

  • Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: long-time SWAPO leader, now Namibia’s 4th president.
  • Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf set the continental precedent in 2005.

Physical Geography

  • Rivers: Only northern/ southern borders host perennial flow.
  • Desert belt: Namib among world’s oldest, runs entire coastline.

Agriculture

  • Northern Ovambo floodplains provide most arable land and subsistence output.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
CapitalWindhoek
Ocean frontageAtlantic
Neighbouring countriesAngola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa
Permanent riversKunene, Okavango, Zambezi, Mashi, Orange
Highest peakBrandberg Mountain – 2 573 m
Topographic zonesNamib Desert / Central Plateau / Kalahari
Main food cropsMillets, maize, sorghum, vegetables (north)
First African nation with directly elected woman headLiberia
Namibia’s presidency 2024Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Continental rank by female elected heads2nd
Mapping

4.Suriname Mapping Overview (Country Mapping)

DD News

What & Where

India–Suriname partnership: India supplies USD 1 million machinery to boost Suriname’s passion-fruit industry.

Suriname: small nation on South America’s northern Atlantic coast, bordered by French Guiana, Brazil, Guyana.

Terrain: swampy coastal plain, rolling Zanderij savannas, southern highlands; rivers flow north to Atlantic.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

  • Machinery worth USD 1 million dispatched by India under development partnership.
  • Goal: expand passion-fruit cultivation, mechanised processing, farmer incomes.
  • Initiative showcases India’s South–South cooperation in Latin America–Caribbean.

Borders & Location

  • Northern Atlantic coastline grants direct maritime access.
  • Land borders: east French Guiana, south Brazil, west Guyana.
  • South hosts Sipaliwini Savanna adjoining Brazil.

Relief & Hydrography

  • Juliana Top, 1,230 m, highest point within Wilhelmina Mountains.
  • Four north-flowing rivers—Courantyne, Coppename, Suriname, Maroni—drain to Atlantic.
  • Coastal swamps give way to Zanderij savannas and southern highlands rainforest belt.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Partnership componentUSD 1 million machinery
Target sectorPassion fruit cultivation/processing
Northern boundaryAtlantic Ocean
Border eastFrench Guiana
Border southBrazil
Border westGuyana
Highest peakJuliana Top – 1,230 m
Peak rangeWilhelmina Mountains
Major riversCourantyne, Coppename, Suriname, Maroni
Coastal landformNew Coastal Plain swampland & polders
Editorial

5.Financing Gap in Forest Conservation (Forest Finance)

Down to Earth
Illustration for Financing Gap in Forest Conservation (Forest Finance)

What & Where

UNDP 2023 report audits global finance flows shaping tropical forests in Amazon, Southeast Asia, Congo Basin.

Highlights processes: conservation funding gap, subsidy misalignment, REDD+ under-pricing, debt-driven forest exploitation.

Spotlights community finance models like Mesoamerican Territorial Fund delivering superior on-ground protection.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Economic Angle

  • Subsidies for palm oil, soy, logging dwarf conservation budgets by sixfold.
  • High debt pushes nations like DRC to prioritise timber, mineral extraction.
  • Low REDD+ pricing cannot match profits from land conversion.

Policy & Regulation

  • Proposal: redirect harmful subsidies via World Bank and similar multilateral channels to forest-positive ventures.
  • Debt-for-nature swaps, Tropical Forest Forever Facility suggested for predictable long-term cash flows.
  • Mandatory deforestation-risk accounting emerging, e.g., EU deforestation-free supply chains rule.

Social Concerns

  • Indigenous groups receive just 1 % of climate finance despite custodianship of one-third global forests.
  • Funds like Podáali and Mesoamerican Territorial demonstrate higher carbon retention and biodiversity outcomes.
  • Agribusiness-led clearing triggers displacement and land conflicts across Amazon and Southeast Asia.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Annual finance needed to stop deforestationUS $460 billion
Spend ratio conservation : deforestation industries1 : 6
Government harmful subsidiesUS $500 billion/yr
Developing-world sovereign debtUS $11 trillion
REDD+ payment rangeUS $5–10 per tCO₂
True mitigation costUS $30–50 per tCO₂
Climate finance reaching Indigenous stewards≈1 %
Proven community fund exampleMesoamerican Territorial Fund
Environment

6.UN Water Development Report 2025 (Global Water Report)

UN
Illustration for UN Water Development Report 2025 (Global Water Report)

What & Where

UN Water Development Report 2025 “Water Towers: Mountains and Glaciers” – annual UN-Water flagship assessing global water/sanitation

Focus: mountains & glaciers as “water towers” feeding rivers, aquifers, billions of people worldwide

Geographic scope: global highlands; emphasizes transboundary basins dependent on Himalayan, Andes, Alpine, Arctic ice

Quick Facts for MCQs

Environmental Impact

  • Glacial-mass loss; reduced dry-season river flow; heightened downstream drought vulnerability
  • Mountain ecosystem destabilisation; landslide and GLOF frequency rise
  • Water-quality degradation from increased sediment, pollutant concentration as flow diminishes

Legal & Policy

  • Call for mountain-specific water policies embedded in national climate plans
  • Emphasis on IWRM adoption across international basins housing headwater glaciers
  • Advocacy for community-led monitoring within UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 framework

Finance & Technology

  • Recommendation: dedicate adaptation finance windows to cryosphere protection projects
  • Need for high-resolution satellite, in-situ sensors to track glacier mass balance
  • Promotion of nature-based storage (wetlands, soil moisture) complementing grey infrastructure

International Cooperation

  • Urges upstream-downstream benefit-sharing agreements, especially in Himalaya, Andes, Central Asia
  • Supports UNESCO-led transboundary aquifer & river-basin dialogue platforms
  • Encourages data-sharing protocols to reduce glacier-related disaster risk

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Release cycleAnnual
2025 Report titleWater Towers: Mountains and Glaciers
Lead publisherUNESCO WWAP for UN-Water
Key warningAccelerating glacial retreat raising water-scarcity risk
Core prescriptionIntegrated Water Resources Management & transboundary cooperation
World Water Day date22 March
World Water Day 2025 themeGlacier Preservation
First mootedUNCED Rio 1992
UNGA formalisation1993 Resolution
Financing askInnovative climate-adaptation funding for mountain regions
Environment

7.Stockholm Water Prize 2025 (Water Prize)

Down to Earth
Illustration for Stockholm Water Prize 2025 (Water Prize)

What & Where

Stockholm Water Prize: annual global award for outstanding water science, management, protection

Venue: Stockholm, Sweden; presented by King Carl XVI Gustaf during World Water Week (August)

Geography: Managed by Stockholm Water Foundation with Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Quick Facts for MCQs

Award Governance

  • Ceremony integrates with global World Water Week deliberations
  • Transparent nomination; inclusivity promotes diverse disciplinary entries
  • Royal patronage enhances international prestige

Laureates Overview

  • Winners span individuals & organisations with water conservation breakthroughs
  • Contributions range: lake pollution science (1991) to flood-climate analytics (2025)
  • Multidisciplinary scope reinforces SDG 6 water-related targets

Climate & Flood Research

  • Blöschl pioneered observation-based methods connecting rainfall patterns to flood probabilities
  • Work improves early-warning systems, infrastructure design under climate change scenarios
  • Research adopted across continents for national flood risk mapping

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Established1991, Stockholm Water Festival
Awarding bodiesStockholm Water Foundation + Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
PresenterKing Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
FrequencyAnnual, World Water Week (Aug)
Nomination ruleAnyone may nominate; self/close-relative barred
SelectionPrize Committee shortlists; Foundation Board final approval
First laureateDavid W. Schindler, Canada, 1991
2025 laureateGünter Blöschl, Vienna University of Technology
Core recognitionFlood risk assessment & climate-flood link research
Field breadthScience, engineering, policy, environmental advocacy
Environment

8.International Day of Forests 2025 (Forest Conservation)

PIB
Illustration for International Day of Forests 2025 (Forest Conservation)

What & Where

International Day of Forests; UNGA-recognised 21 March observance (since 2012) to spotlight sustainable forest management.

Forest (India); Godavarman SC 1996 treats term by dictionary meaning, covering all reserved, protected and unclassed categories.

India forest geography; cover 21.76 % GA, Lakshadweep tops share 91.33 %, Madhya Pradesh largest absolute area.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Ecological Impact

  • Carbon-sequestration; Indian forests store 861 Gt globally, moderate floods, recharge aquifers feeding 245 million Western Ghats residents.
  • Biodiversity; habitat for Asian elephants (~30 k) and wild crop relatives like Assam wild rice.
  • Water-security; forested watersheds supply most urban drinking water, cut disaster losses.

Economic & Livelihood

  • Dependence; 30-40 million pastoralists source fodder, shade improving 4 billion livestock productivity.
  • MGNREGA; funds afforestation, wage employment in rural forest fringes.
  • PM Van Dhan; VDVKs of 300 tribal SHG members each add value to Minor Forest Produce.

Legal & Policy

  • Forest Conservation Act 1980; central clearance mandatory for non-forestry diversion.
  • Green India Mission; expand/improve 10 m ha cover, raise income of 3 million households.
  • National Agroforestry Policy 2014; CAFRI-led rollout of Quality Planting Material, climate-resilient farm-trees.

Global Pledges

  • REDD+; performance-based payments for avoided deforestation, enhancement of carbon stocks.
  • New York Declaration 2014; voluntary aim to end global deforestation by 2030.
  • Paris Agreement Art 5; urges Parties to conserve and enhance forest sinks.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
WFD-2025 themeForests and Food
India forest+tree cover25.17 % GA
Net cover rise (2021-23)1,445.81 km²
Forest carbon stock India7,285.5 Mt (+81.5 Mt)
Global CO₂ uptake by forests~30 % annual fossil emissions
Terrestrial biodiversity share80 % resides in forests
Mangrove cover India4,991.68 km² (-7.43 km²)
Indigenous & rural reliant1.6 billion people
Indian forestry jobs>30 million persons
Sacred groves India>1 lakh sites
Tigers sheltered3,167 (NTCA 2022)
Major cities on forest watersheds>85 % globally
Bonn Challenge target 2030350 million ha restoration
CAMPA purposeAfforestation via diverted-land funds

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CDS_GK, GS1 2023PYQ 1

There is an increase in forest cover area of India between 2011 and 2021. However, there is a decrease in forest cover area of India during the same period in

CDS_GK, GS1 2005PYQ 2

Consider the following statements:

EnvironmentQuick Bite

9.World Sparrow Day Awareness (House Sparrow)

LiveMint
Illustration for World Sparrow Day Awareness (House Sparrow)

What & Where

World Sparrow Day – annual global awareness day on 20 March, focused on conserving the house sparrow.

Conceived by Nature Forever Society (India) & Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France); first celebrated 2010.

Core species: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), among world’s most widespread birds, present on two-thirds of landmasses.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Conservation Significance

  • Awareness drive: highlights rapid urban decline of house sparrows and need for urban biodiversity safeguards.
  • Platform role: unites citizens, NGOs, policymakers around small-bird friendly habitats and pollution control.

Biodiversity & Distribution

  • Species-spread: sparrows native across three continents, later introduced to Americas, Australia, NZ by Europeans.
  • Urban-indicator: sparrow presence often reflects healthy insect populations and moderate noise, radiation levels.

Threat Factors

  • Pollution: air, noise and electro-magnetic radiation impair nesting and chick survival.
  • Urbanisation: glass façades, lack of eaves, manicured gardens remove traditional nesting, foraging sites.
  • Climate-stress: rising temperatures and altered rainfall reduce insect prey and water availability.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Observance date20 March
First edition2010
Founding bodiesNature Forever Society (IN) + Eco-Sys Action Foundation (FR)
2022 theme“I love sparrows”
Total sparrow species27 (house + 26 others)
Main continentsAsia, Africa, Europe
House sparrow scientific namePasser domesticus
Distribution gapsChina, Indochina, Japan, E. Siberia, E. Australia, tropical Africa
EnvironmentQuick Bite

10.Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary (Vulture Sanctuary)

The Hindu
Illustration for Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary (Vulture Sanctuary)

What & Where

Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary; India’s first vulture sanctuary; lies in Ramadevara Betta Hill Range, Ramanagara, Karnataka

Core fauna includes Indian Long-Billed, Egyptian, White-Backed vultures; rocky cliffs, scrub forests, open farmlands

Indian Long-Billed Vulture (Gyps indicus); medium bulky scavenger over India-Pakistan-Nepal savannas near settlements

Quick Facts for MCQs

Legal & Policy

  • Notification under Wildlife Protection Act; ESZ buffers mining, construction, loud tourism
  • ESZ norms restrict plastic, chemical use within prescribed radial distance

Biodiversity Value

  • Vultures expedite carcass removal; curb disease spread, feral dog proliferation
  • Presence of three Gyps species indicates intact carrion food chain

Threats & Conservation

  • Diclofenac residues in cattle carcasses primary mortality driver
  • Sanctuary cliff nesting sites, drug ban enforcement, awareness drives aiding gradual population rebound

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Sanctuary notification year2012
Eco-Sensitive Zone declared2017
StateKarnataka
Vulture species presentIndian Long-Billed, Egyptian, White-Backed
Indian Long-Billed IUCN statusCritically Endangered
Population decline estimate97–99 percent
Main threat agentVeterinary diclofenac poisoning
Habitat preferenceOpen landscapes, savannas near villages
Editorial

11.India’s Geospatial Intelligence Push (Geospatial Tech)

DH
Illustration for India’s Geospatial Intelligence Push (Geospatial Tech)

What & Where

Geospatial intelligence; satellite imagery + positioning + analytics for border security, resource management, disaster response.

NavIC/IRNSS; 7-satellite Indian regional navigation covering India and ~1 500 km beyond.

Siwei commercial constellation; China’s new high-resolution pair strengthens BeiDou-backed surveillance near Indian frontier.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

  • Dependence risk; foreign GPS vulnerable as seen in Russian jamming during Ukraine conflict.
  • Indigenous NavIC offers assured PNT for military operations and missile guidance.
  • Chinese multispectral + infrared edge widens surveillance gap along LAC.

Policy & Governance

  • 2022 Policy eased licensing, enabled private mapping above 1 m resolution.
  • Multiple ministries create overlap between Gati Shakti, SVAMITVA; need single nodal body.
  • Proposed Geospatial Development Authority to streamline approvals, data access.

Technological & Industrial

  • Capability gap; India lacks sub-0.3 m optical imaging and real-time analytics.
  • Startups Dhruva Space, Pixxel, SatSure driving cubesats, hyperspectral data, agri insights.
  • Funding push urged; AI-driven processing and high-res satellites identified as priority investments.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
India’s navigation systemNavIC (IRNSS), 7 satellites
Coverage radiusIndia + ≈1 500 km
National Geospatial Policy2022, liberalised data
Budget 2025-26Rs 100 crore to National Geospatial Mission
Chinese geospatial spend≈ $1.4 trillion plan
Latest Chinese launch2 Siwei high-res EO satellites
Indo-US missionNISAR joint SAR Earth-observation
Key land digitisation schemePM SVAMITVA
Startup showcasePixxel hyperspectral minisats
Private agri-analytics firmSatSure

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2025PYQ 1

GPS-युक्त स्वदेशी ऑग्मेन्टेड नेविगेशन (GAGAN) के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

GS1 2018PYQ 2

With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:

Science & TechnologyQuick Bite

12.Nanoparticle Security Ink Innovation (Anti-counterfeiting Tech)

The Hindu

What & Where

Nanoparticle security ink: Sr₂BiF₇ matrix doped with Er³⁺, Yb³⁺; emits multi-color fluorescence for anti-counterfeiting.

Synthesis via low-cost coprecipitation; currently adapted to screen printing, offset printing under research.

Targeted for Indian banknotes/passports printed at Nasik, Dewas, Mysuru, Salboni presses.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Material Science

  • Fluorescence: Distinct colors under UV/NIR enable tiered authentication.
  • Nanoparticle uniformity ensures consistent ink flow and print clarity.
  • Environmental stability allows long shelf-life on circulating notes.

Manufacturing Process

  • Coprecipitation: Metal salts precipitated using NaOH/ammonia, then filtered and dried.
  • Post-processing yields homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion suitable for ink formulation.
  • Scalability: Low-cost reagents favor mass production for national needs.

Security Dimension

  • Multispectral emission complicates counterfeit replication and simple photocopy attempts.
  • NIR 980 nm feature remains hidden from public view but machine readable.
  • Future integration with offset printing aimed at high-security passports and high-denomination notes.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Composition core matrixSr₂BiF₇
Dopant ionsEr³⁺, Yb³⁺
Synthesis routeCoprecipitation
Key fluorescence colorsBlue, Magenta, Orange-red
Excitation wavelengths365 nm, 395 nm, 980 nm
Printing method testedScreen printing
Currency presses (States)Nasik(MH), Dewas(MP), Mysuru(KA), Salboni(WB)
Governing entitiesSPMCIL & BRBNMPL
Misc

13.Raisina Dialogue 2025 Summit (Geopolitics Conference)

The Hindu

What & Where

Raisina Dialogue – flagship annual geopolitics & geo-economics conference, New Delhi; launched 2016.

Organised by Ministry of External Affairs + Observer Research Foundation (think-tank).

10th edition 2025: theme “Kālachakra – People, Peace and Planet”; chief guest – New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon.

Quick Facts for MCQs

Security Dimension

  • Quad leaders flagged China’s assertive moves across Indian Ocean Region; sought cooperative deterrence.
  • Philippines urged India to join “Squad” (US-Japan-Australia-Philippines) for South China Sea counter-balancing.
  • India reiterated goal: peaceful, rules-based maritime trade conduit, capacity-building for small island nations.

Economic Angle

  • Minister cautioned against tariff, sanction, finance-based weaponisation of trade; pressed for trust-centric supply chains.
  • Partner screening now weighs reliability, transparency, strategic alignment; salient in ongoing US, EU, UK talks.

Digital Sovereignty

  • India insists on stringent data-flow, AI governance clauses in trade pacts; seeks domestic control over big-data assets.
  • Regulatory architecture for AI, cross-border data embedded into current economic diplomacy toolkit.

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch year2016
2025 edition number10th
Core venueNew Delhi, Raisina Hill area
Primary organiserMinistry of External Affairs
Knowledge partnerObserver Research Foundation
2025 theme“Kālachakra – People, Peace and Planet”
2025 chief guestChristopher Luxon, PM of New Zealand
Comparable foraMunich Security Conf.; Shangri-La Dialogue
ORF natureDelhi-based, non-profit policy think-tank
Focus domainsGeopolitics, Geo-economics

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2025PYQ 1

वर्ष 2025 में निम्नलिखित में से किसके तत्वावधान में आयोजित की गई बैठक का विषय 'दुश्मान युग के लिए सहयोग (Collaboration for the Intelligent Age)' था?

CAPF_GAI, CDS_GK 2022PYQ 2

समृद्धि के लिए हिंद-प्रशांत आर्थिक ढाँचा (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity) का गठन करते समय, सदस्य देशों ने चार स्तंभों पर भावी समझौता-वार्ता के लिए सामूहिक परिचर्चा शुरू की है। उन स्तंभों में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा नहीं है ?

Defense & Security

14.UAVs Transform Modern Warfare (Military Drones)

The Hindu

What & Where

UAVs/drones – remotely-piloted or autonomous aircraft for surveillance, strike, reconnaissance

Flashpoint – two Chinese UAVs spotted near Okinawa, East China Sea

India – rising drone incursions across Pakistan & China borders threaten security

Quick Facts for MCQs

Military Advantages

  • Cost-efficiency – lower purchase, fuel, maintenance than manned jets
  • Persistence – long loiter gives real-time ISR, precision engagement
  • Swarm flexibility – coordinated, AI-guided attacks overwhelm defences

Security Concerns

  • Conflict facilitation – low-risk, deniable strikes tempt frequent use
  • Non-state empowerment – Houthis, ISIL weaponised cheap commercial UAVs
  • Regional escalation – expanding drone trade spurs arms races

India-Specific Gaps

  • Capability lag – China’s AI drones outpace Indian fleet
  • Import dependence – MQ-9B buy vulnerable to supply shocks
  • Cyber risk – border UAV hacking incidents expose EW weaknesses

Counter-Drone Measures

  • Indrajaal upgrades – detection, jamming, hacking in Himalayan conditions
  • Indigenous R&D – AI, swarm tech, high-altitude UAVs via startups & MSMEs
  • Physical intercept – nets or trained eagles to disable hostile rotors

International Examples

  • US-Iran 2019 – RQ-4 drone shot over Strait of Hormuz, no US retaliation
  • Pakistan-based US strikes – triggered militant blowback inside Pakistan
  • Azerbaijan – UAV dominance decisive in Armenian defeat

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
MQ-9 Reaper cost~USD 32 million
F-35 cost>USD 80 million
Main UAV exportersChina, Turkey, Israel
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh edgeBayraktar TB2 & kamikaze drones
Russia in UkraineIranian Shahed-136 loitering munition
Indian anti-drone techIndrajaal (AI-powered)
Raptor interception ideaArmed forces train eagles vs drones

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

GS1 2025PYQ 1

मानव-रहित वायु वाहन (UAV) के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

GS1 2025PYQ 2

भारत की रक्षा के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित युग्मों पर विचार कीजिए :

Scheme

15.SwaYaan Drone Capacity Scheme (Drone Capacity)

PIB

What & Where

NIDAR = National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application & Research, pan-India competitive R&D platform

Nested under SwaYaan capacity-building programme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Focuses on autonomous drone use-cases in disaster management and precision agriculture

Quick Facts for MCQs

Tech & Schemes

  • Challenge supports autonomous drone prototypes for disaster relief, precision farming
  • Provides cloud credits, software stacks, internships to participants
  • Minor degree programmes, bootcamps, workshops seeded in partner institutes

Human Resource Capacity

  • Hub-and-spoke model ensures nationwide reach via premier tech institutes
  • Goal to create skilled drone workforce aligning with Digital India vision
  • Curriculum covers end-to-end UAS lifecycle from design to deployment

Industry & Start-ups

  • Startup incubation embedded; winners gain market linkage and mentoring
  • Active industry challenges keep academia-industry feedback loop alive
  • DFI acts as sector interface, scaling commercial adoption

Key Data Points

FeatureData-Point
Launch ministryMeitY
Collaborating bodyDrone Federation of India
Parent initiativeSwaYaan – Capacity Building for HRD in UAS
SwaYaan approvalJuly 2022
SwaYaan trainee target42,560 persons
NIDAR student teams100 +
Institutional network30 hubs & spokes (IISc, IITs, IIITs, NITs, CDAC, NIELIT)
Key drone domainsElectronics, GNC simulation, Aeromechanics, Applications, Allied tech

Related UPSC Prelims PYQs

ESE_GS, NDA_GAT 2025PYQ 1

Which one of the following statements about ‘REJUPAVE’ is correct?

ESE_GS, NDA_GAT 2024PYQ 2

Which one of the following is associated with 'SPRINT Challenges' aimed at giving a boost to the usage of 75 new indigenous technologies/products in collaboration with Innovations for Defence Excellence, NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell?

Ready to practice?

Test your knowledge with our UPSC test series.

Start Free Trial