WHY THE PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL MATTERS?
Context: The number of personal data breaches from major digital service providers has increased worryingly in the same period as the pandemic has forced more people to participate in the digital economy. The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, now under scrutiny by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, could play a big role in providing robust protections […]
PERSISTENT MINDLESSNESS: ON MAOIST ENCOUNTER
Context: The deaths of over 20 paramilitary personnel in an encounter with the Maoists in the Tarrem area near Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district once again puts the spotlight on the long-running conflict in this remote tribal region. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism, Left-Wing Extremism) Mains Questions: Is lack of development […]
MAOIST ATTACKS IN CHHATTISGARH’S SUKMA
Context: A day after the encounter between central paramilitary forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma, bodies of 22 personnel were recovered, 31 were injured and one commando was still missing, according to Chattisgarh police. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism, Left-Wing Extremism) Dimensions of the Article: Background to the recent […]
The forgotten fact of China-Occupied Kashmir
Context: On November 1, observed every year in Gilgit-Baltistan as “Independence Day”, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that his government would give the region “provisional provincial status”. Relevance: GS Paper 3: Border Areas (security challenges and management thereof); Security forces & agencies (mandate); Role of External State & Non-State actors in creating internal security […]
MHA TELLS STATES TO REGISTER MORE FIRS FOR CYBERCRIME
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges Why in news? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to all States to examine and register FIRs based on the complaints received on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Details As per data available with the Ministry, only 2.5% of total complaints registered on the portal are converted into First […]
Countering deepfakes, the most serious AI threat
Context: The debate around “deepfakes” has been rekindled recently with the popularity of applications such as FaceApp (for photo-editing) and DeepNude ( that produces fake nudes of women). Relevance: GS Paper 3: Basics of Cyber Security; Role of media and social-networking sites in internal security challenges; Internal security challenges through communication networks Mains questions: It […]
Eighteen more individuals declared as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Focus: GS 3 ; Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism. Why in News? Under the strong and iron-willed leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government had amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 in August 2019, to include the provision of designating […]
UTTARAKHAND IS UPGRADING DEFENCE
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges Introduction In the context of ongoing tensions and territory issues with China and Nepal, the Uttarakhand government, along with the defence forces, has taken measures to strengthen infrastructure along its international border. Why Uttarakhand matters? Uttarakhand shares a 350-km border with China and a 275-km boundary with Nepal. Five of […]
DEFENCE EXPORTS INCREASED 700% IN 3 YEARS
Focus: GS-III Internal Security, Indian Economy Why in news? In the last three years, the country witnessed a “staggering” 700% growth in defence exports which is an all-time high and 19th in the list of defence exporters in 2019, according to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). India is the third largest spender on defence around […]
INDIA, RUSSIA TO HOLD NAVAL DRILLS IN ANDAMAN SEA
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges, GS-II International Relations Why in news? Amid high operational alert by the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) due to the ongoing standoff with China in Ladakh, India and Russia are scheduled to hold the bilateral naval exercise, Indra 2020, in the Andaman Sea, close to the strategic […]