Indo-US partnership registers rapid growth in 2019, new milestones achieved - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Indo-US partnership registers rapid growth in 2019, new milestones achieved.

As 40 security personnel were killed in a ghastly terrorist attack in Pulwama in February, United States was the first country which said that India has the right to self-defend itself

India-US strategic partnership witnessed rapid growth in 2019 with the two sides inking a crucial deal to facilitate transfer of defence technology and their leaders - President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi - meeting a record four times post-May elections, displaying growing ties between the world's two largest democracies.
The strengthening of the strategic partnership was reflected in the India-US Joint Statement issued at the conclusion of their second 2+2 dialogue towards the end of the year, which was definitely the key highlight of 2019.
The two countries signed a key agreement to facilitate transfer of defence technology during the second 2+2 meeting in December in Washington, which was attended by their foreign and defence ministers.
For the comfort of Trump, who scans all relationships through the lens of trade, the bilateral trade has increased and in the second half of the year figures started appearing that projected a substantial decline in bilateral trade deficit in the coming years.
Even though the two countries could not resolve their long-pending trade disputes or a minor trade deal still eludes them, this is no longer an irritation in the bilateral relationship and it is most likely that India's GSP provisions might be restored soon.
In the year gone by, India placed orders worth billions of dollars of state-of-the-art military equipment from the US, started new tri-services exercise 'Tiger Triumph', which will now be an annual affair, signed one more foundational agreement and accelerated the pace of the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
The co-operation between India and the US has reached a new level when it comes to the Indo-Pacific region. The two countries are working with other like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific to ensure that there is freedom of navigation and peace in the resource-rich region where China has been trying to spread its influence.
The US is happy that India, though reluctant initially, is now helping giving an institutional shape to Quad - an informal consultative mechanism. Japan and Australia are the other two countries of this grouping.
The US also supported India's stand on Maldives as New Delhi took the lead to ensure that a third country does not interfere in its internal affairs.
There has been an unprecedented level of cooperation between India and the US on counter-terrorism front this year.
As 40 security personnel were killed in a ghastly terrorist attack in Pulwama in February, United States was the first country which said that India has the right to self-defend itself.
Even as India was in the middle of its election season, the US went ahead, worked with its partner countries like Britain and France to ensure that China lifts its veto hold from designating Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohamad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council.
While it has expressed strong concerns over human rights issues, religious freedom, internet blackout and detention of political leaders in Kashmir, the Trump Administration has refused to put India at par with some of the non-democratic countries on these issues as was the case in the past.
The Administration says that India being a vibrant democracy with a strong civil society, free press, independent judiciary has enough institutional mechanisms to handle such issues. However, it has made it clear that its eyes are not off the lid and is concerned about some of the recent developments.
Throughout the year, including during the 2+2 dialogue or the 26/11 terror attack anniversary, US asked Pakistan to take sustained and irreversible actions against terrorist networks operating from its soil.
While the historic 'Howdy, Modi' event where Trump joined Modi in addressing a huge crowd of 50,000 Indian-Americans in September was primarily an occasion to showcase people's power of the world's two largest democracies, months later it now appears that a section of the Democrats are having a second thought on the bipartisan support as they believe that post August 5 when India revoked special status of Jammu and Kashmir, secularism, human rights and freedom of religion in India is being challenged.
For the record, 'Howdy, Modi' event was attended by top Democratic leadership as well. But, no doubt, the proponents of such a view, led by Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and progressive legislatures, do not reflect the view of Democratic Party leadership led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is a die hard supporter of India-US relationship.
However, certainly in the months to come, the bitter domestic political divide is likely to widen these initial cracks in this bipartisan support that the India-US relationship has enjoyed over the last two decades, at least since the Clinton Administration and continued through the successive two administrations of presidents George Bush and Barack Obama.
But for this sour note, the India-US strategic relationship progressed at a much faster pace than in any three years of the Trump Administration.
While differences continued to exit on the way forward in Afghanistan, the White House kept New Delhi in the loop on its peace initiatives. Bitter from its past experiences, the Trump Administration did not fall into the trap or rhetoric of Pakistan.
As reflective in its statements, either in the public or before Congressional committees, the Trump Administration has shown a better understating of India's position on Kashmir post August 5. (Source: The Business Standard)


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Indo-US partnership registers rapid growth in 2019, new milestones achieved.

Initiatives and Achievement of Department of Space during the year 2019 - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Initiatives and Achievement of Department of Space during the year 2019.

Following are the initiatives of Department of Space during the year 2019:

Missions and Project Related Activities
• ISRO has successfully accomplished 13missionsincluding06 launch vehicle missions and07 satellite missions during the year 2019.
• 50 foreign satellites from 07countries were launched on commercial basis during this period.

• PSLV-C44 successfully launched Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 on January 24, 2019 from Sriharikota.
• On February 06, 2019GSAT 31 communication satellite was successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana onboard Arianespace rocket.
• EMISAT was successfully launched onboard PSLV-C45 on April 01, 2019 from Sriharikota. The launch viewing gallery was inaugurated and opened to the public for viewing launches live from Sriharikota.
• On May 22, 2019 RISAT-2B radar imaging earth observation satellite was successfully launched onboard PSLV-C46 from Sriharikota.
• The successful launch of GSLV-MK III M1, India's most powerful launch vehicle, was accomplished in July 22,2019. This launch vehicle is capable of launching 04 ton of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit(GTO). The mission carried Chandrayaan-2 Orbiterspacecraft to its intended orbit.The instruments are continuously providing very useful science data.
• On November 27,2019 Cartosat-3, a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capabilitywas successfully launched by PSLV-C47 from Sriharikota.
• On December 11,2019, PSLV-C48 successfully launched RISAT-2BR1radar imaging earth observation satellite from Sriharikota.
• India’s first inter-planetary mission “Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)” completed five years in Martian orbit in September 2019.
• Astrosat, the first Indian multi-wavelength space observatory, completed four years in orbit in Sept 2019. The data has been made open to public. Astrosat has more than 900 registered users from 24 countries.
• Global Standards body 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which develops protocols for mobile telephony, has approved India’s regional navigation system NAVIC.
• Qualcomm Technologies Inc. in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), has developed & tested chipset platform across their portfolio which can support the Indian Regional Navigation satellite system, NavIC.
• The first-ever NavIC demonstration using the Snapdragon Mobile Platforms was showcased by Qualcomm during the India Mobile Congress at New Delhi on October 14-16, 2019
• A new center namely Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) is created within ISRO/DOS with the responsibility to act as the lead center for Human Space Flight Program, Gaganyaan.The Gaganyaan project has the objective of demonstrating human space flight capability to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with 3 crew members for 5-7 days in orbit and to safely recover them after the mission.
• Overall configuration of GSLV-MK III, crew escape system, crew module and service module for Gaganyaan have been finalized. An MoU is executed with Indian Air force for crew selection and training. Institute of Aerospace Medicine is identified for crew selection and screening criteria. This process is in progress.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Bengaluru, a wholly owned Government of India Company under Department of Space, was incorporated on 6th March 2019. The business activities of NSIL is mainly driven towards enabling Indian industries to productionise space systems and to exploit the commercial opportunities emanating from the Indian space programme.
• Commissioning of the Second Vehicle Assembly Building at Sriharikota to improve the frequency of launch.
• The notable development of the year was technology transfer of Li-ion to Indian industries.10 industries were selected for the transfer of the Li-ion cell technology from ISRO.
Other activities
• A year-long programme for commemorating the birth centenary of ISRO founder father Dr. Vikram A Sarabhai was inaugurated on August 12, 2019. The programme includes exhibitions, competitions to school children, journalism awards and speeches by eminent personalities. The programme will be conducted across 100 selected cities all over India.
• Space Technology Cells(STCs) were established at IIT Guwahati and IIT Delhito take up the space technology research and applications to newer heights.
• Space Technology Incubation Centres (S-TIC) were established at NIT, Trichyand NIT, Jalandharfor developing concepts related to Space Science and technology in line with the National policy of‘Start-up India’.
• Regional Academic Centre for Space(RAC-S) was established at NIT, Kurukshetra to develop Academia-Industry ecosystem for Space technology.
• Two batches of ISRO’s UNISPACE Nanosatellite Assembly &Training (UNNATI) programmewereorganized at Bengaluru. Around 62participants from more than 30countriesparticipatedin this programme.
• A special programme for School Children called “YuvaVIgyaniKAryakram (YUVIKA)" was organized, in tune with the Government's vision "Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan”. The Program is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications.
• The Department of Land Resources in collaboration with ISRO has published fifth edition of Wasteland Atlas-2019.The new wastelands mapping exercise is carried out by ISRO using Indian Remote Sensing Satellites.
• Chandrayaan-2 data users meet, which is third in the series of lunar science meets, was held on October 22, 2019 at DOS Branch Secretariat, New Delhi. Lunar science meets are organised to maximise the science outcome from this mission and to increase the user base, particularly from non-ISRO institutions such as national institutes, academias and Research organisations.
• Satellite based mitigation support was effectively provided for mitigating the ill effects of various disasters faced by the country during the period such as floods, tropical cyclonic storms, and forest fire alerts.
• As many as 127 (out of 157) Space Technology projects are progressing as per schedule for the utilization of Space Technology space based tool and application in the Governance and Development.
• Data in the form of maps covering more than 1000 blocks were provided to Jal Shakti Abhiyan at local level, with specific information on ground water recharge potential areas.
• As part of enhanced outreach programme, ISRO launched ‘Samwad with Students’ wherein youngsters across India had an opportunity to interact with Chairman, ISRO. (Source: pib)


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Initiatives and Achievement of Department of Space during the year 2019.

Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, A.P. lead performers in Niti Aayog’s SDG India Index 2019 - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, A.P. lead performers in Niti Aayog’s SDG India Index 2019.

Bihar, Jharkhand and Arunchal Pradesh are the worst performing states in this year’s Index for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have emerged as top performing States in Niti Aayog’s SDG India Index 2019, which evaluates progress in social, economic and environmental terms, according to a report released on Monday.
Bihar, Jharkhand and Arunchal Pradesh are the worst performing States in this year’s Index for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The United Nations’ SDG target of 2030 can never be met without India... We are fully committed to achieving UN’s SDG target,” Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said at the launch of SDG India Index 2019.
According to the report, while Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim have shown maximum improvement, states like Gujarat have not shown any improvement vis-a-vis 2018 rankings.
India’s composite score also improved from 57 in 2018 to 60 in 2019.
The SDG India Index, developed by Niti Aayog, took into account 16 out of 17 goals specified by the United Nations as SDGs .
Under the Index, states were monitored on real time basis across 100 indicators out of 306 outlined by the United Nations.
The UN-SDGs have 17 goals, 169 targets and 306 national indicators. (Source: The Hindu)


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Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, A.P. lead performers in Niti Aayog’s SDG India Index 2019.

India's forest cover increases 0.6%; Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala lead - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

India's forest cover increases 0.6%; Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala lead.

• The total forest cover of India is now estimated at 7,12,249 sqkm.
• The report shows an increase of 3,976 sq km (0.56%) forest cover at the national level as compared to 2017.

India’s total forest cover has increased 0.56% over the last two years, according to the latest India State of the Forest Report 2019. India is among the few countries in the world where both forest and tree cover has shown a consistent increase.
The report, released by Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, here on Monday, shows an increase of 3,976 sq km (0.56%) forest cover at the national level as compared to 2017. The total forest cover of India is now estimated at 7,12,249 sqkm which is 21.67% of the geographic area of the country.
The tree cover, which refers to small patches of less than 1 hectare outside forests, is estimated at 95,027 sq km which is 2.89% of the geographical area.
Karanataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have recorded the highest increase in the forest cover, much of which has been attributed to the conservation activities both within and outside the recorded forest areas. These states are followed by Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
The Forest Survey of India, which also mapped the mangrove cover in the coastal areas spread across 12 states and Union Territories, found an increase of 54 sq km or 1.1% in such cover from the previous assessment.
As a matter of concern, the report also showed that nearly 22% of the forest in the country are highly prone to forest fires. This was estimated using forest fire detection data compiled by the FSI over the last 13 years.
The survey is carried out using remote sensing technique followed by field survey resulting in a forest cover map of India on 1:50,00,000 scale. At present, Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under forest cover followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. (Source: Livemint)


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India's forest cover increases 0.6%; Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala lead

Online payment systems to be prime cybercrime targets in 2020, shows study - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Online payment systems to be prime cybercrime targets in 2020, shows study.

• Over the past couple of years, so-called JS-skimming has gained immense popularity among attackers
• Cybercriminals will also target mobile investments apps which have become more popular among users globally
More cybercriminal groups will target online payment processing systems in 2020, researchers from global cybersecurity and anti-virus brand Kaspersky have warned.
Over the past couple of years, so-called JS-skimming (the method of stealing of payment card data from online stores), has gained immense popularity among attackers.

Kaspersky researchers in their latest report said they are currently aware of at least 10 different actors involved in these type of attacks.
Their number will continue to grow during the next year, the report said, adding that the most dangerous attacks will be on companies that provide services such as e-commerce as-a-service, which will lead to the compromise of thousands of companies.
"This year has been one of many important developments. Just as we predicted at the end of 2018, it has seen the emergence of new cybercriminal groups, like CopyPaste, a new geography of attacks by Silence group, cybercriminals shifting their focus onto data that helps to bypass antifraud systems in their attacks," Yuriy Namestnikov, Security Researcher at Kaspersky, said in a statement.
"Behavioural and biometrics data is on sale on the underground market. Additionally, we expected JS-skimmer base attacks to increase and they did. With 2020 on the horizon, we recommend security teams in potentially affected areas of the finance industry to gear up for new challenges," Namestnikov said.
In addition, cybercriminals will also target mobile investments apps which have become more popular among users around the globe, according to the predictions from Kaspersky on the expected development of the threat landscape in the financial sector.
Not all of these apps utilize best security practices, like multi-factor authentication or protection of the app connection, which may give cybercriminals a potential way to target users of such applications
Kaspersky research and monitoring of underground forums suggests that the source code of some popular mobile banking Trojans was actually leaked into the public domain.
Previous similar cases of malware source code leakage (like Zeus, SpyEye) resulted in an increased number of new variations of these Trojans. In 2020, this pattern may repeat, the researchers warned.
They said they expect an increase in the activity of groups specialised in criminal-to-criminal sale of network access to banks in the African and Asian regions, as well as in Eastern Europe.
Their prime targets are small banks, as well as financial organizations recently bought by big players who are rebuilding their cybersecurity system in accordance with the standards of their parent companies.
Besides, it is expected that the same banks may become victims of targeted ransomware attacks, as banks are among those organisations that are more likely to pay a ransom than accept the loss of data. (Source: Livemint)


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Online payment systems to be prime cybercrime targets in 2020, shows study.

Align interest rates of small savings schemes, RBI to govt: Report - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Align interest rates of small savings schemes, RBI to govt: Report.

• Small savings rates are revised every quarter and if there is no change in the rates, the finance ministry retains the existing rates
• The interest rates on small savings schemes are on average up to 100 basis points higher than the rates prevailing in the market from commercial banks
Ahead of the announcement of interest rates on small savings schemes for the January-March quarter by December 31, the RBI has asked the Finance ministry to align their interest rates with market rates which govern the banks also in a bid to improve transmission.
"The ministry has been internally sounded out and communicated by RBI also on small savings rate alignment requirements for better transmission, RBI has told government the banks' response in this regard also. It will be a call by the government," said sources.
Small savings rates are revised every quarter and if there is no change in the rates, the finance ministry retains the existing rates. Focus will be on the small savings rates by banks, industry and account holders of such schemes mostly retired government workers, marginal class, farmers, women.
Such schemes are the Post Office Saving Schemes that include a bucket list of products that offer reliability and risk-free returns on investment. Such security and returns are perks mostly associated with a central government-run savings portfolio.
The ministry has been nudging RBI to push banks particularly the PSBs to pass the whole amount of interest rate cuts (repo rate cuts) to retail loans for pushing consumption. Banks have resisted it fearing their margin will take a hit in case of 100 per cent transmission.
Recently SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar said banks cannot go beyond a threshold to cut deposit rates which is linked to the lending rates.
The interest rates on small savings schemes are on average up to 100 basis points higher than the rates prevailing in the market from commercial banks, said sources adding the government also have to facilitate monetary policy transmission by reducing administered interest rates on small savings by bringing them in line with the agreed formula.
As per the formula, interest rates on small saving schemes are linked to yield on government securities of similar maturities and are reset quarterly and though the yield on 10-year benchmark government security has fallen by 80 bps so far in 2019, the government has cut interest rates on small savings schemes only by 10 bps.
Going by the agreed formula on fixing small savings schemes, the interest rate on Public Provident Fund is 86 bps higher than the market rate, while it is 81 bps higher for Kisan Vikas Patra.
The interest rate on schemes like five-year recurring deposit is actually 135 bps higher than the market rates.
Currently banks see small savings rates act as a floor beyond which banks cannot cut deposit rates without a diversion. This severely affects the ability to transmit RBI policy rate cuts into lending rates.
According to the monetary policy statement, though the RBI has cut the repo rate by 135 bps between February and October, the weighted average lending rate on fresh rupee loans of banks declined only by 44 bps during the period. The weighted average lending rate on outstanding rupee loans has actually increased by 2 bps during the period.

The Monetary Policy Committee resolution in December said there was a need for greater flexibility in the adjustment in interest rates on small savings schemes. At the post-policy conference on Dec 5, the RBI Governor had said that the central bank has internally conveyed its views on small savings to the government.
In recent interactions with the RBI, banks - both PSU and private - had made it clear that deposit rates can't be cut primarily as it leads to money shifting to sovereign backed small savings schemes. Banks can't transmit only on lending rates making it lower, when there is a floor for deposit rates due to small savings, a banker said who attended meetings with RBI called to pass lower repo rates.
Some of the most popular such schemes are -- Post Office Savings Account, 5-Year Post Office Recurring Deposit Account (RD), Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD), Post Office Monthly Income Scheme Account (MIS), Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS), 15 year Public Provident Fund Account (PPF), National Savings Certificates (NSC), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts (SSA). (Source: Livemint)


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Align interest rates of small savings schemes, RBI to govt: Report.

Year End Review – 2019 Ministry of Defence - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Year End Review – 2019 Ministry of Defence.

2019 was a year full of remarkable events for Ministry of Defence.In a landmark decision with tremendous reform in higher defence management in the country, the Government has approved to create the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the rank of a four-star General with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief.

The CDS will also head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to be created within the Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary. This follows the announcement made by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2019, in his address to the nation, inter alia, “India should not have a fragmented approach. Our entire military power will have to work in unison and move forward…All the three (Services) should move simultaneously at the same pace. There should be good coordination and it should be relevant to the hope and aspirations of our people. It should be in line with the changing war and security environment with the world…after formation of this post (CDS), all the three forces will get effective leadership at the top level.”The decision will lead to improved coordination between the Armed Forces and make them more effective. The other major decisions and events related to Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces are as follows:
• Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the National War Memorial in a solemn ceremonial function on February 25 near India Gate. The memorial has been erected in the memory of those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation after India became Independent in 1947.
• In an intelligence led operation in the early hours of February 26, India struck the biggest training camp of Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) in Balakot, Pakistan. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yousuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, Chief of JeM. This was in response to February 14, 2019 suicide terror attack, conducted by a Pakistan based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad that led to the martyrdom of 40 brave jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
• It was a red-letter day in the history of Indian Air Force when Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh participated in the Rafale fighter aircraft handing over ceremony at Merignac in France in October. The Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft will make India stronger and give a boost to its air dominance to ensure peace and security in the region. Raksha Mantri also flew a sortie in the fighter aircraft.
• Shri Rajnath Singh became the first Raksha Mantri to fly the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’ at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in Bengaluru, on September 2019.
• Raksha Mantri handed over Medium Range Surface-to-Air-Missileto Indian Air Force at the Bharat Dynamics Limited premises in Hyderabad on August 3 on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Defence PSU.
• Shri Rajnath Singh, on June 18, announced the restoration of the ‘ration in kind’ for the officers of the threeArmed Forces posted in peace areas.
• Raksha Mantri gave in principle approval to four-times enhancement of monetary assistance to Next of Kin of all categories of Battle Casualty from Rs two lakh to Rs eight lakh. Extension of retention of government accommodation by Battle Casualties for a period of one year instead of three months was also approved.
• Ushering in vast improvement in the connectivity of roads and bridges in border areas, Raksha Mantri inaugurated one kilometre long Ujh bridge in Kathua district, 617.40 Metre long Basantar bridge in Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir on July 20.
• Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated strategically important Col ChewangRinchen bridge connecting Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldie in Eastern Ladakh on October 21.
• Raksha Mantri, on November 15, inaugurated strategically important Sisseri River Bridge, which connects Lower Dibang Valley with East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Government decided to honour the contribution of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by naming the Strategic Tunnel under Rohtang Pass after him on December 25, 2019, which happens to be his birthday. The historic decision to construct a strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken on June 03, 2000 when late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worked relentlessly to overcome major geological, terrain and weather challenges that included the most difficult stretch of the 587-metre Seri Nalah Fault Zone.
• Shri Rajnath Singh spent a ‘Day-at-Sea’ onboard INS Vikramaditya on September 9 off the Goa coast. During his stay on the biggest ship of Indian Navy, Raksha Mantri witnessed a wide range of naval operations, including weapon firing by the fighter aircraft and night flying operations by helicopter from the deck of the Aircraft Carrier.
• On 20 February, the then Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 12th biennial edition of International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition at Bengaluru which witnessed participation of more than 600 Indian Companies and 200 foreign companies. A total of 61 aircraft participated in the event.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged off special plogging awareness drive rally in Delhi Cantt on December 7, as part of Swachhta Pakhwada to create awareness against single use plastic in the country. He himself took part in the event by picking waste material from the area.More than 3,000 people, including schoolchildren participated in the plogging and collected sizeable single use plastic waste.

BILATERAL DEFENCE COOPERATION
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited various countries, including United States, France, Russia, Ukraine, Japan and South Korea in a bid to strengthen bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation. Various issues, including counter-terrorism operations, Indo-Pacific and South China Sea were discussed during these visits.
• Shri Rajnath Singh and Dr S Jaishankar took part in the India-US 2+2 dialogue between the Defence & External Affairs Ministers of India and their US counterparts in Washington on December 18. Both sides committed to further deepen military-to-military cooperation, including between the Indian Navy and the US Navy Fleets under US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command, and Africa Command and intend to expand similar cooperation between their respective Armies and Air Forces.
• India-Japan 2+2 dialogue was held in New Delhi on November 30. Shri Rajnath Singh and Dr S Jaishankar participated in the meeting with their Japanese counterparts. They affirmed that the dialogue will further enhance the strategic depth of bilateral security and defence cooperation.
• Raksha Mantri, during his visit to Japan, held the annual Defence Ministerial Meeting with his Japanese counterpart on September 2 in Tokyo. Both ministers discussed ways to further strengthen the existing bilateral co-operative arrangements and adopt new initiatives towards achieving peace and security in the region.
• Shri Rajnath Singh visited Thailand’s capital Bangkok to attend the 6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on November 17. He also held various bilateral meetings with the leaders of US, Thailand, Japan, Australia & New Zealand and discussed ways to further improving the ties.
• During his visit to Republic of Korea, Shri Rajnath Singh held talks with Minister of National Defence of Republic of Korea in Seoul on September 6. He also addressed CEOs of Korean and Indian Defence Industries. India and Republic of Korea formulated a roadmap to take bilateral Defence Industry co-operation forward to the next level.
• Raksha Mantri and his Singaporean counterpart co-chaired the 4th Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue in Singapore on November 20. Both Ministers expressed satisfaction at the deepening defence ties between India & Singapore and reaffirmed their commitment to support further initiatives that would promote stability to the region. The inaugural edition of the Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX) in the Andaman Sea was conducted in September.
• Shri Rajnath Singh participated in the 18th meeting of Council of Heads of Government of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at Tashkent in Uzbekistan on November 2. He held talks with the Uzbek Defence Minister and signed three MoUs to enhance cooperation in Military Medicine & Military Education. He also attended the ‘Curtain Raiser’ of first-ever India-Uzbekistan Joint Exercise ‘Dustlik 2019’.
• Shri Rajnath Singh co-chaired the 19thIndia-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation in Moscow along with his Russian counterpart.
• Continuing with his high-level engagements in Mozambique, Raksha Mantri on July 30 held discussions with Minister of Interior, Mr Jaime Basilio Monteiro in Maputo. Raksha Mantri gifted 44 SUVs to the Minister of Interior.
• Mozambique’s Defence Minister visited India and held a meeting with Shri Rajnath Singh on November 29. Both sidesreiterated their commitment to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
• Maldives Defence Minister paid an official visit to India in January. The Minister held a meeting with the then Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, with both sides reiterating India’s commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives National Defence Forces.
• In February, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman visited Germany and met her counterpart. The two Ministers comprehensively reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral defence cooperation as an important facet of India-Germany Strategic Partnership.
• Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (CDS) of the Republic of Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (MAH) visited India in July-August and held extensive talks with Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Yesso Naik. The talks were aimed at enhancing defence co-operation, review joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services, strengthen maritime security by joint surveillance and capacity building, medical co-operation, pollution response and for developing new infrastructure. On conclusion of the talks, India and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence co-operation.
• Raksha Mantri held talks with Chief of General Staff, Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang and discussed ways to further bolster defence ties between the two countries in New Delhi on November 25. He also called on Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.
Indian army
• Assisted in maintenance of tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir after provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution were made inoperative.
• Reforms in the Army initiated including restructuring of Army HQ to result in better efficiency, more satisfaction and larger availability of young officers in the field.
• Successful summer user trials of third Generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile NAG at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges. The trials of DRDO developed Missile were conducted between July 7-18, 2019. NAG missile has been developed to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in all weather conditions with day and night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500 metres and maximum range of four kilometres.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh approved a proposal for admission of girl children in Sainik schools w.e.f. academic session 2021-22 in a phased manner.
• The 14thedition of bilateral annual military exercise SURYA KIRAN-XIV between Indian and Nepal Army was held in December at Nepal Army Battle School (NABS), Salijhandi, Rupendehi district of Nepal. The 13th edition of the joint military exercise was held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand in June last year.
• Ceremonial Border Personnel Meetings (BPMs) were organised at Natu La, Bum La and Kibithu on October 01 to celebrate the Chinese National Day. The BPM mechanism has evolved into an important interface where local issues get discussed and are resolved thereby fostering confidence amongst the Border Guarding Troops. This ensures prevalence of peace & tranquility along the LAC.
• An Indian Army sponsored Capacity Building Tour comprising of 22 students and three teachers of Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir returned to Batote after a ten-days tour which included visit to New Delhi and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Over the period of ten days in September, the budding youth of Kishtwar District were exposed to a unique experience which entailed visit to premier military institution such as Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, icons of historical legacy such as the Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, & National War Memorial.
• The Indian Army in step with government policies on environmental protection launched an ecological initiative with employing E Cars for use of its officials in New Delhi in partnership with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a joint Venture of Central PSUs under Ministry of Power.
• The Indian Army assisted the Maharashtra and Karnataka state authorities in carrying out relief and rescue operations in flood hit areas. In August, a total of 16 Columns and 12 Engineer Task Forces comprising of almost 1000 Army personnel have been employed in Belgaum, Bagalkot and Raichur dist of Karnataka and Raigad, Kohlapur and Sangli district of Maharashtra to carryout flood relief operations.
• A 12 member Indian Army patrol along with a police representative recovered wreckage of a World War II vintage US Air Force aircraft in Roing district of Arunachal Pradesh on March 30. Based on the information received from local trekkers of Lower Dibang district through the police, a special patrol of Army was sent to locate the wreckage in a remote location, 30 kms from Roing.
• Inaugural edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 (AFINDEX-19) was culminated on March 27, 2019 at Foreign Training Node, Aundh Military Station, Pune. The Indian contingent was represented by Maratha Light Infantry (Jangi Paltan). The validation exercise showcased various tactical drills which included protection of civilians, establishment of standing combat deployment, convoy protection, patrolling aspects and neutralisation of improvised explosive devices which were practiced as part of 10-day joint exercise. Participating African countries include, Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Fourteen-day military exercise Mitra Shakti VI between Indian and Sri Lankan Army was held between March 26 to April 08 , 2019 at Diyatalawa Parade Ground in Diyatalawa, Badulla District, Sri Lanka. This was the sixth edition of the joint exercise between the two nations. The Indian Army contingent comprises of a company group from Bihar Regiment and a similar strength from the First Gemunu Watch Battalion of Sri Lankan Army.
• Shri Rajnath Singh gave away Raksha Mantri’s Awards for Excellence 2019 in Delhi Cantonment on December 26. The Defence Estates awards was introduced in 2013 to recognise the achievements in the field of health, education, cleanliness as well as new innovative and digitisation in Public Services and Land Management.
Indian navy
Commissioning and Decommissioning
• The sixth ship of the 08 x IN LCU (Mark IV) project, IN LCU L56 was commissioned at Vishakhapatnam on July 29. The seventh ship of the project, LCU L57, was delivered in December 19 and is likely to be commissioned in the near future.
• The second submarine of Scorpene Class (Project 75), INS Khanderi, and the Aircraft Carrier Dock, was commissioned by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on September 28.
• Naval Air Station Shibpur was commissioned as INS Kohassa on January 24.
• Towards establishment of aviation assets to ensure Coastal Security, INAS 313 was commissioned at Meenambakkam on July 22 and INAS 314 was commissioned at Porbandaron November 29.
• The first two aircraft of the 12 new Dornier Contract were formally inducted into the Indian Navy at HAL, Kanpur on January 28. Equipped and fitted with latest sensors, these aircraft will boost the surveillance effort towards security of maritime areas of the nation.
• Indian Naval ships Ranjit, Kozhikode, LCU L-38 and LCU L-39 were de-commissioned in 2019, with all ships having served the Nation for more than 30 years.
Launching/Construction of Ships/Submarines
• Yard 12706 (Imphal), the third ship of Project 15B (Visakhapatnam class) was launched on April 20at M/s MDL, Mumbai.
• The first of Class of P17A Frigates, ‘Nilgiri’ was launched at MDL, Mumbai on September 28.
• The fourth submarine of Project 75 was launched on May 06 at MDL, Mumbai. The submarine was named INS Vela in accordance with the Naval traditions.
• Keel laying ceremony of Yard 12707, fourth ship of Project 15B (Visakhapatnam class) was held on November 07 at M/s Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd. (SSPL), Bharuch.
• Keel laying ceremony of Yard 12652 (Second ship of Project 17A at M/s MDL) was held on May 07 at M/s MDL, Mumbai.
• Keel laying ceremony of Yard 3025, first of the Survey Vessel Large was held November 08 at M/s GRSE, Kolkata.
• Production of Yard 3023 (Second ship of P-17A at GRSE) commenced with steel cutting on August 20at M/s GRSE, Kolkata.
Overseas Deployments (OSD)
• Indian Naval ship Tarkashparticipated in the Western Fleet OSD 01/19 from June 15 to October 15. During the OSD, the ship undertook port calls at 13 countries. The ship participated in Russian Navy Day celebrations, KONKAN-19 with UK and participated in the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Nigeria.
• IN ships Kolkata and Shaktiparticipated in the Eastern Fleet OSD 01/19 from April 03 to May 31. During the OSD, the ships visited Cam Rahn Bay (Vietnam), Qingdao (China), Busan (South Korea) and Singapore. The ships participated in IN-VPN Bilateral Exercise at Cam Rahn Bay (Vietnam), PLA (N) IFR at Qingdao (China), ADMM Plus Exercise off Busan (South Korea) and Singapore, International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX), Maritime Information Sharing Exercise (MARISX) and SIMBEX 19 at Singapore.
• IN ships Sahyadri and Kiltanparticipated in the Eastern Fleet OSD 02/19 from August 24 to November 21 to Bangkok (Thailand), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Sasebo and Yokosuka (Japan), Manila (Philippines) and Jakarta (Indonesia). During the OSD, the ships participated in Ex Samudra Lakshamana with Malaysia and Malabar -19 with USN and JMSDF.
• The Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and US Navy (USN) Trilateral exercise Malabar-19 was conducted off Yokosuka, Japan from September 26 to October 04. IN ships Sahyadri, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I participated in the exercise. The JMSDF was represented by ships Kaga, Samidare, Chokai, Oumi and P1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft while the USN was represented by USS Mc Campbell, Pecos and nuclear submarine Okholama City.
• IN Ship Kolkata and Shakti participated in International Fleet Reviewwhich was conducted off Qingdao (China)harbour on April 23 to commemorate 70th anniversary of PLA (N).
Naval Operations/ Activities
• Indian Navy has been undertaking Mission Based Deployments in the Areas of Interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with an aim to safeguard national maritime interests and maintain continuous/near continuous presence in areas of significant maritime importance in the IOR.These deployments were also in consonance with the Prime Minister's vision of 'Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)'. The IN ships and aircraft are being regularly deployed in the Gulf of Oman/ Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden/ Red Sea, South and Central Indian Ocean Region (IOR), off Sunda Strait, Andaman Sea/ approaches to Malacca Strait and Northern Bay of Bengal. These deployments have facilitated enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness, swift HADR assistance to IOR littorals, security to the Indian and international maritime community and operational engagements with friendly navies through capability development and capacity building programmes. These deployments have also enabled the IN to be the 'first responder' in various HADR/ SAR operations across the IOR.
• In wake of attack on Tankers off Fujairah and in Gulf of Oman in May and June 19 respectively, the IN executed OP 'Sankalp' to ensure security & safety of Indian Flagged Merchant Vessels (IFMVs) transiting through the Gulf region.
• IN's largest biennial war game, Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX-19) was conducted from January 07– March 10 in the IOR. The primary aim of the exercise was to hone the war fighting skills of the Navy whilst exercising in a large theatre of operations.
Coastal Security and Anti-Piracy Operations
• The maiden large scale, pan India Coastal Defence Exercise, SEA VIGIL-19, was conducted along the entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India on January 22-23. The exercise was conducted with the aim of simultaneously activating all agencies involved in the coastal security construct, and to identify gaps and mitigating measures. Besides Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and all other stakeholders involved in the nation's Coastal Security framework participated in the exercise.
• IN ships and aircraft are deployed to maintain continuous surface and aerial coastal surveillance off the West coast of India including L&M Islands. Similar sorties are also undertaken on the East coast and the A&N Islands to further augment coastal surveillance measures.
• As part of its wider role of providing security to shipping in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy continues to deploy one ship for anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden. A total of 75 IN warships have been deployed till November 19. The IN also undertakes Passage Exercises with friendly foreign countries deployed in the Gulf of Aden. IN’s presence in this region is being maintained to ensure safety and security of Indian trade.
indian air force
Acquisition
• Air Defence challenges have grown manifold in the recent years especially with all pervasive threat from drones even during peace time. This challenge is compounded by employment of stand-off weapons, projectiles and munitions including cruise missiles by the adversaries. Also, over the years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of vital assets along with increase in air threat from both hostile states and malign non-state actors.
a. Contract for five Squadrons of Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System i.e. S-400 missile system has been signed with the Russian Government. The equipment of the first Sqn is likely to be inducted in mid 2020.
b. IAF is procuring 18 Squadrons of Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile System which has been jointly developed by DRDO and IAI. Induction of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile System will be from early 2020 onwards.
c. Contract has been signed in September 2019 for seven additional indigenous Akash Squadrons and associated specialist infrastructure. Induction would commence from early 2021onwards.
• Rafale Aircraft: To enhance the combat capability of IAF and improve its fighter squadron strength is in progress. Rafale is an omni-role fighter aircraft which will provide long range capability to engage targets in depth and will provide a strong weapons and systems capability edge over our adversaries. The delivery of the aircraft has commenced and the training of IAF personnel is in progress.
• Additional Su-30 MKI Aircraft: IAF had contracted for 272 Su-30 MKI aircraft under various contracts. Presently deliveries are continuing under block IV contract and are likely to conclude by March 2020. The Su-30 MKI currently is the largest and amongst the most potent fighter fleet in operation with the IAF.
• Apache Helicopter: Apache is a Tandem Seating, day/night, all weather capable platform. It is highly agile, survivable against battle damage and is easily maintainable even in field conditions. The helicopter is capable of prolonged operations in tropical and desert regions. Being a Multi-role network centric platform capable for deployment in Air Combat, AD, CI Ops, UAV neutralization, CSAR, Urban Warfare, the aircraft meets all requirements of the IAF as well as the Strike Corps requirements of the Army. Fitted with a state of the art Fire Control Radar (FCR), the AH-64 has the capability to detect, locate, designate, track and engage targets in daylight, night, and in reduced visibility conditions.17 helicopters have already been delivered.
• Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopter (HLH): The delivery of 15 x Chinook helicopters has started from March 2019 and will be completed by March 2020. Induction of the helicopters has commenced in March 2019. Ten helicopters have been received so far.
• ASTRA:ASTRA BVR missile being designed and developed by DRDO has been evaluated for its performance and missile firing with foreign seeker was successful. IAF plans to procure these missiles for fighter aircraft.
• Integration of BrahMos Air to Surface Missile on Su-30MKI Aircraft: Successful integration of the BrahMos missile on the Su-30 MKI has been completed. It would enhance the strategic significance and combat potential of the aircraft.
• Induction of Flight Inspection System Aircraft (Dornier-228): IAF has inducted Do-228 Dornier aircraft with on board Flight Inspection System (FIS) to undertake the Cat-II calibration of Navigational aids available at Modernised Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) of IAF bases. The induction of FIS aircraft would facilitate the in-house calibrations of MAFI assets and Navaids.
Upgrades
• Mirage-2000: The Final Operational Clearance (FOC) D&D has been completed in March 2018 and Series production is underway.
• MiG-29: The upgraded aircraft have been allotted to a frontline Squadron, and are being used for operations. The upgraded aircraft are equipped with state of the art avionics, an array of smart air to air and air to ground weapons and are capable of in-flight refuelling which significantly increases its combat potential.
• Jaguar DARIN-III: The upgrade of DARIN-I Jaguar aircraft to DARIN-III standard by HAL included integration of new mission computers, cockpit displays (SMDs, Engine and Flight Instrumentation System), Fire Control Radar, Hybrid navigation system and Autopilot with advanced modes. With the integration of these systems through new mission software, the cockpit has been transformed into a fully functional glass cockpit. With the integration of the radar as primary sensor, the operational capability of the Jaguar aircraft in detecting air, surface and sea targets has been enhanced manifolds. With the avionics of DARIN-III aircraft the capability has improved significantly. Flight trials for FOC have been completed in November 2019. DARIN-III platform has matured into a potent strike platform with state-of-the-art integration of the sensors on-board.The delivery of upgraded aircraft will commence from December 2019.
Make Projects
• Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C): AEW&C is an indigenous system successfully developed by DRDO. The second AEW&C aircraft has been handed over by CABS to IAF on 11 Sep 19.
• Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS): The IACCS is fully indigenous project which will integrate all sensors to give composite Air Situation Picture and aids in quick decision making.
International Exercise
• Ex Garuda: Four Su-30MKI participated in Ex Garuda at Mont-de-Marsan, France from 01 to 14 Jul 19.
• Ex Eastern Bridge: Five Mig-29 participated in Ex Eastern Bridge V in Oman from 15 to 26 Oct 19. This is the first time that the MiG-29 ac participated in an international exercise abroad. The exercise was conducted professionally and performance of MiG -29 was appreciated.
• JMT: The bilateral phase of Joint Military Training with Singapore Air Force is planned from 14 to 29 Nov 19 at Air Force Station Kalaikunda. Su-30MKI participated in this exercise.
HADR
• Aerial Fire Fighting Operation: Air effort was provided by Mi-17 V5 helicopters for fire-fighting operations at Theni (Tamil Nadu),Katra, Pathankot, Kasuali, Malviya Nagar, Bandipur (Karnataka) and Merchant Vessel off the coast in Sunderban area. A total of 93 sorties /52:20 HRS / 154 KL of water utilised.
• Flood Relief Ops: 2019 (Op Varsha): The IAF had deployed heptrs for Flood Relief Ops in a number of states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Bihar. Various class of heptrs were utilised towards the task. A total of 219 sorties /172:10 hrs were flown air lifting 1061 pax and 84.4t of load.
• Casualty Evacuation: During FY 2019-20, 103 sorties 85:00hrs airlifting 85 pax till 25 Oct 19,including (Team of 12 trekkers (British Nationals) were trapped at Nanda Devi pass following an avalanche. One month of effort 45 Hrs / 47 sorties, 4 trekkers + 07 mortal remains retrieved).
Women Empowerment in IAF
• NCC Special Entry: NCC special entry has been extended to women Air Wing Cadets with ‘C’ Certificate for the first time ever. This would enable them to directly go for SSB, without any screening test to become a Short Service Commissioned Officer in the flying branch of IAF.
• Induction in the Fighter Stream: Women pilots have been performing admirably well in the transport and helicopter streams of IAF. As a natural progression, IAF has inducted women pilots in the fighter stream as well. Accordingly, the first batch of three women trainees were inducted in fighter stream. Currently, six are posted to fighter squadrons and two are undergoing post commissioning training on Hawk-132 ac. One more woman trainee has been allotted fighter stream was commissioned in Dec 19.
• Diplomatic Assignment: Diplomatic posts on Indian mission abroad are traditionally manned by male officers. WgCdr Anjali Singh is the first woman officer who has been nominated by IAF as Dy Air Attaché in Embassy of Russia.
• Flight Commander: WgCdrShalizaDhami was commissioned into the helicopter stream of the IAF in Dec 2003. She was granted PC in Dec 18. She became the first woman helicopter QFI in the IAF in Nov 13. She has over 2000h of flying to her credit. She has been recently posted as the first woman Flight Commander of a Combat unit of the IAF (131 FAC Flt, Hindonwef 26 Aug 19).
Indian coast guard
• Raksha Mantri commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Varaha’ in Chennai on September 25, 2019 to further strengthen coastal security.
• Third Vessel in the series of 05 Offshore Patrol Vessels for Indian Coast Guard, ‘Sajag’ was ceremoniously launched on November 14, 2019 at Goa Shipyard Limited by Mrs Vijaya Shripad Naik, wife of Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik. Entirely designed in-house by GSL, these OPVs will form a formidable part of ICG fleet and will be used for protection of Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
DEFENCE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (DRDO)
• IAF CONDUCTS FIVE TRIALS OF AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE ASTRA: DRDO flight-tested Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra form Su-30 MKI platform off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. The trials were held from 16-19 September 2019. Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the trials against Jet Banshee target aircraft simulating all possible threat scenarios. The five trials conducted during this period, tested missiles in different configurations. Three missiles were launched in combat configuration with warhead and neutralized manoeuvring targets to establish the end-game capability of the missile. The trial campaign also included a direct hit of the target by the telemetered missile at maximum range.
• LCA (NAVY) MAKES ARRESTED LANDING: The first ever arrested landing of Light Combat Aircraft (Navy) at the Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) INS Hansa, Goa, took place on 13 September 2019. The test will pave the way for the indigenous platform to undertake aircraft carrier landing demonstration on board the Indian Naval Aircraft Carrier, Vikramaditya. Text book arrested landing heralds the arrival of true indigenous capability.
• LOW WEIGHT, FIRE & FORGET MAN PORTABLE ANTITANK GUIDED MISSILE TESTED: DRDO flight tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on 11 September 2019 in the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The missile was launched from a man portable tripod launcher on the target mimicking a functional tank. This was the third series of successful testing of MPATGM. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics. The test paves the way for the Army to have 3rd generation indigenous MPATGM. The missile was earlier tested successfully on 13 March 2019.
• DRDO HANDS OVER SECOND INDIGENOUS AEW&C SYSTEM TO INDIAN AIR FORCE: DRDO handed over the second of three indigenously designed Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, Netra, to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 11 September 2019 to augment the service’s network centric capabilities. The system was delivered to Bhatinda Air Force Station in Punjab. The system comprises an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, secondary surveillance radar, electronic and communication countermeasures, beyond line-of-sight data links, satellite communication systems, advanced identification friend-or-foe system, provides 240° coverage, and surveillance range more than 250 km.
• QUICK REACTION MISSILE TEST-FIRED: DRDO flight-tested its state-of-the-art Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) against live aerial live aerial targets from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur on 4 August 2019. Two missiles, developed by DRDO, were tested against two live targets, meeting complete mission objectives of engaging the targets. QRSAM, with many advanced technologies, engaged the targets at different ranges and altitudes. The system has been tested in final configuration with radar mounted on a vehicle and missile on the launcher. It comprises indigenous Phased Array Radar, Inertial navigation System, Data Link & RF Seeker, and is being developed for Indian Army with search and track on move capability with very short reaction time. The missile was earlier tested on 26 February 2019.
• INDIAN NEUTRALISES LIVE SATELLITE IN LOW EARTH ORBIT: The country joins a select group of nations with such capability. DRDO conducted an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test ‘Mission Shakti’ from Dr APJ Abdul kalam island in Odisha on 27 March 2019. A DRDO developed Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Interceptor Missile engaged a Live Indian satellite orbiting in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a ‘Hit to Kill’ mode. The interceptor missile was a three-stage missile with two solid rocket boosters. Tracking data from range sensors confirmed that the mission met all its objectives. The test demonstrated India’s capability to defend its assets in outer space and vindicated the strength and robust nature of DRDO’s programmes.
• FINAL OPERATIONAL CLEARNCE OF LCA TEJAS MK I FOR INDIAN AIR FORCE: In a landmark occasion, Light Combat aircraft Tejas Mk I for Indian Air Force was informally awarded Final Operational Clearance (FOC) on 20 February 2019. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy handed FOC Certificate and Release to Service Document (RSD) to the Chief of Air Staff Air chief Marshal BS Dhanoa in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Sanjay Mitra and chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Shri R Madhavan. IOC standard Tejas are already serving in the 45th Squadron of IAF since July 2016.
• DRDO’S IGNITER COMPLEX AT HEMRL, PUNE: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik inaugurated the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Igniter Complex at High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune on 05 NOV 2019. HEMRL has created a state-of-the-art facility for design, processing and evaluation of ignition systems. The facility consists of process, assembly & storage buildings and a design centre. Remotely controlled sophisticated equipments such as Sieve Shaker, Planetary Mixer, Granulating Machine, Pelleting Machine etc are installed in the process buildings. Design, modeling and simulation laboratory; assembly and testing centre are also part of Igniter Complex.
• SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF TWO BRAHMOS MISSILES FROMLAND AND AIR PLATFORMS: DRDO, Indian Air Force and BrahMos jointly successfully conducted two BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles tests today, one each from land and air platforms. The first missile launch was from a land based mobile launcher, where most of the components were indigenous, including the missile airframe, fuel management system and DRDO designed seeker. The second launch of the missile was carried out by Indian Air force (IAF) from SU-30MKI platform against a sea target. The test conducted in user configuration, revalidated the ship attack capability of the advanced air-launched cruise missile.
• SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT TEST OF TWO PINAKA MISSILES IN SALVO MODE: As part of the series of flight trials of Pinaka missile system, two test firings were conducted by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 17 DEC 2019. The first trial was conducted on December 19, 2019, wherein one missile was fired at 75 kilometre range.
• QUICK REACTION SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY FLIGHT-TESTED OFF ODISHA COAST: Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was successfully flight-tested from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast on 23 DEC 2019. The missile was flight-tested with full configuration in deployment mode intercepting the target mid air, meeting the mission objectives. The entire event was monitored by Ground Telemetry Systems, Range Radar Systems, Electro Optical Tracking System etc.
DEFENCE PRODUCTION
• To boost Defence manufacturing under ‘Make in India’, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a Roundtable Conference with CEOs of Indian & Foreign Defence companies including MSMEs and start-ups on August 9, 2019 in New Delhi.
• To further encourage the ‘Make in India’ initiative in Defence and Aerospace sector, Shri Rajnath Singh accorded approval to allow Private Sector industry to compete with Ordnance Factories and DPSUs for the prestigious Raksha Mantri’s Awards for Excellence on July 16, 2019.
• Raksha Mantri launched a Dashboard of Department Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence. The dashboard is available for the general public at https://ddpdashboard.gov.in. The DDP Dashboard contains progress on key initiatives of the Department which include Defence Exports, Defence Offsets, Defence Production, Intellectual Property Rights filed (Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti), Make in India in Defence Projects, Startups working in Defence, Investments in Defence Corridors and Artificial Intelligence Projects in Defence.
• Shri Rajnath Singh has approved setting up of a Committee under the Chairmanship of Director General (Acquisition) to review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2009. The Committee will revise and align the procedures with the aim of ensuring seamless flow from asset acquisition to life cycle support.
• It is very important to have ‘Ideation, Innovation and Incubation’ to achieve the goal of indigenisation and self-reliance in cutting edge-technologies. This was the underline theme of ‘Def Connect 2019’ organised in New Delhi on October 5, 2019. It was organised to showcase the accomplishments of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative and construct a strong outreach towards the potential future entrepreneurs of the defence sector. Third phase of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) thrown open to prospective startups in the event under which three challenges from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
DEFEXPO 2020
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the first meeting of the Apex Committee for DefExpo 2020 in New Delhi on September 9, 2019 in the presence of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath. The huge exhibition that will showcase India’s defence manufacturing capabilities as well as world’s top defence manufacturing companies would be held for the first time in Lucknow from 05 – 08 February, 2020. Raksha Mantri launched its website, www.defexpo.gov.in, which provides online services to exhibitors, besides hosting informative content about the product profile of DPSUs and Ordnance Factories.
• Raksha Mantri chaired Ambassadors’ Round Table on DefExpo 2020 in New Delhi on November 4, 2019 in major outreach to defence manufacturing industries of the world. Heads of Missions and Defence Attaches of over 80 countries participated in the conference.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched the mobile app of the forthcoming DefExpo 2020 on December 27. The app is available on Apple App Store and Android Play Store. The main features of the app are ‘inform, engage and feedback’. It provides detailed information about the day-to-day programme-wise schedule of the event; participating exhibitors; Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), guest speakers of seminars/webinars planned during the event; publications i.e., electronic brochures and e-books; maps and directions of the venues and city weather.
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE (DESW)
• On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day (AFFD), Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) on behalf of DESW took a unique initiative and organised the first ever Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) conclave on December 02 to create awareness about the Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and how the corporate India can play an important part in their resettlement and rehabilitation. The conclave was chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. He apprised the audience in great detail about the challenges faced by the ESM and their dependents and appealed to corporate world to come forward and support the cause of their welfare with help of three attached offices of DESW.
• Apart from the Defence Services Estimates (DSE) Budget, AFFD Fund is the major source of funding for welfare and rehabilitation of war widows, ESM and their dependents. A sum of Rs 9.97 crore has been collected during FY 2019-20 (as on December 09, 2019). The fund is administered by KSB Sectt under the aegis of its Management Committee headed by Raksha Mantri and Executive Committee headed by Secretary, DESW.
• As per the Action Plan on Single Use Plasticprepared by the department, instructions have been issued to all our attached offices and field establishments to minimise the use of single use plastic.
• As per the action plan, the department and its attached offices undertook a nationwide campaign on Jal Shakti Abhiyan on August 17. Posters and other informational material on the theme were prepared and shared widely with all field Offices/Establishments.
• A one-day workshop on Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) was organised on December 06 in New Delhi to create awareness, review the progress and lay down the future roadmap on JSA and SBA.
• A large number of Ex-Servicemen participated in the ‘Run for Unity’ event at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi on October 31to observe the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).


The above Article can also be read using the link below:

Year End Review – 2019 Ministry of Defence.

Alaska set to finish 2019 with record warm year - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Alaska set to finish 2019 with record warm year.

With a record average high temperature after a year of extremes ranging from a sweltering summer and rampant wildfires.

Alaska is set to finish 2019 with a record average high temperature after a year of extremes ranging from a sweltering summer and rampant wildfires to vanishing sea ice and winter rains where heavy snows were once the norm.
Wildlife also suffered from the state's chaotic weather, with mass die-offs of seabirds and marine mammals struggling to cope with ecological upheaval.
The turmoil is part of a rapid warming pattern in which Alaska - at the leading edge of climate change due to its proximity to the Arctic - is heating at twice the rate of the planet as a whole, researchers say.
"Even with the current cold snap, I don't see any way that 2019 is not the warmest year on record," Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist with the University of Alaska at Fairbanks’ International Arctic Research Center, said in a tweet on Thursday.
"Will every year be as warm as this? No. But the escalator is going up," said Rick Thoman, a scientist with the university's Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy.
Alaska's warmest year on record was 2016, when annual temperatures averaged 32.5 degrees Fahrenheit, or just over 0 Celsius. That was the first time the benchmark crept above freezing, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For 2019, the statewide average through November stood at 34.5 degrees, a year-to-date high that tops nearly a century of record-keeping.
THE BIG THAW
The spring melt on major rivers came earlier than ever and the uppermost layer of permafrost across the Seward Peninsula was thawed the entire year.
Summer temperatures soared to 90 or higher in several locales, including Anchorage, in the midst of a severe drought. Wildfires destroyed homes, triggered evacuations and fouled the region's air quality for weeks.
Unusually high ocean temperatures spawned toxic algae blooms in the Arctic's Chukchi Sea.
The Arctic coast city of Utqiagvik - the predominantly Alaska Native settlement formerly known as Barrow and the northernmost city in the United States - recorded its most extreme thaw conditions on record. Stretches of the sea coast, once frozen solid by October, had yet to ice over by mid-December.
“It's December 20, and we're finally getting some ice on the shore,” said Billy Adams, who posts climate observations to a community network managed by the Arctic research center.
Vanishing sea ice causes ocean waters to absorb more heat, creating a kind of thermodynamic feedback loop that triggers a cascade of wide-ranging climatic consequences that extend around the globe, Thoman said.
In the Bering Sea, where fish populations were dislocated and carcasses of seabirds and seals littered shorelines, the effects of warming are notably acute, Thoman said.
The extraordinary conditions of 2019 offer a preview of Alaska's future.
“Moving forward, these types of years will be more and more common,” Brettschneider said. (Source: The Economic Times)


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Alaska set to finish 2019 with record warm year.

India, Japan vow to deepen maritime ties - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

India, Japan vow to deepen maritime ties.

The 5th Round of India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in Tokyo.

India and Japan have vowed to deepen maritime cooperation and also held consultations on disarmament, non-proliferation and export control.
The 5th Round of India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in Tokyo on Tuesday with the Indian delegation led by Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, while Japanese delegation was led by Ambassador Yamanaka A Osamu, Deputy Assistant Minister, Deputy Director-General in Foreign Policy Bureau.
The two sides exchanged views on various topics of mutual interest in maritime domain and identified the means for further strengthening their maritime cooperation, a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.
Both sides reiterated the importance of the dialogue as an important mechanism between the two countries for consultations on issues of mutual interest in maritime affairs and agreed to hold the next round of talks on a mutually convenient date in India, it said.
Meanwhile, the 8th Round of India-Japan bilateral consultations on disarmament, non-proliferation and export control was held in Tokyo on December 23.
The Indian side was led by Mr. Pandey, while Japanese delegation was headed by Ambassador Hisajima Naoto, Director-General, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the consultations, the two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest in these fields, the MEA said. (Source: The Hindu)


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India, Japan vow to deepen maritime ties.

NPR: house-to-house verification planned - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

NPR: house-to-house verification planned.

Data on parents’ place of birth to be gathered; register already has data of 119 crore residents

The Narendra Modi government proposes to update the existing National Population Register, which already has an electronic database of more than 119 crore residents, by verifying the details of all respondents through house-to-house enumeration, according to an official manual on conducting the fresh NPR exercise.
The NPR exercise has become controversial because the Citizenship Rules 2003 link the Population Register to the creation of a National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) or National Register of Citizens.
Coupled with the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which excludes Muslims, fears about an NPR-NRC have brought lakhs of people onto the streets in protest.
More than 20 people have been killed during the protests, most of them in Uttar Pradesh.
April-Sept. 2020
Data for the NPR was first collected in 2010, and updated in 2015. The Modi Government has proposed that the next phase of NPR will be conducted along with Census exercise between April to September 2020.
According to the government manual seen by The Hindu, the enumerators, all government officials, will “modify and correct the demographic data items”. They are also tasked with collecting mobile, voter card, Indian passport and driving licence numbers from residents.

The manual requires the “inclusion of all new residents, new households found in the local area during the field work”.
The 2010 NPR form collected details on 15 parameters whereas a “pretest” form that was used to collect data on a trial basis from 30 lakh people in September this year, sought additional details on columns such as “place of birth of father and mother, last place of residence” etc..
It also added details such as Aadhaar number, voter ID card number, mobile phone number and driving license number.
The manual states that in cases where date of birth or age was not known, the enumerator could help the respondent by “stimulating her/his memory” with reference to historical events well known in the area such as a “war, flood, earthquake, change in political regime, etc.”
The manual says that if the respondent does not know the age of any member of the household and probing also does not help in determining the age of that person, “you will have to estimate her/his age by using your best judgment.”
The manual was prepared before the pretest was conducted.
On Thursday, Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy confirmed that additional details related to the place of birth of the parents of a person being enlisted, Aadhaar number and last place of residence were being recorded as part of “basic requirements for NPR.”
Mr. Reddy said, “I strongly condemn the deliberate and baseless misinformation campaign being spread by the Opposition parties and a section of media that NPR is a precursor to NRC. I want to make it categorical that there is no link between the two. The present NPR is part of the 2021 Census enumeration. We are just continuing the NPR exercise started by the UPA Government in 2010 with just additions of three or four columns...The opposition parties are playing a mind game of vitiating people’s faith in the government.”
However, the Modi Government has repeatedly told Parliament that the NPR was the first step towards compiling the NRC. The Assam-specific NRC, conducted under the supervision of Supreme Court, had excluded 19 lakh out of 3.29 crore residents. There are apprehensions that people will have to dig out old documents to prove their residency in India on the lines of the exercise conducted in Assam. So far, the Modi government has not revealed the cut-off date for a nationwide NRC, which Home Minister Amit Shah has committed to in Parliament.
Mr. Shah said on Tuesday that there was “no link between NPR and NRC”, but the 2003 Citizenship Rules clearly provides for the creation of NRIC / NRC that will flow from data gathered in the NPR. The Rules empower local officials to decide on a person’s citizenship status.


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NPR: house-to-house verification planned.

UGC issues norms for ethics in higher education - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

UGC issues norms for ethics in higher education.

Guidelines call for modesty, harmony

At a time of widespread protests by university students, Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has launched new guidelines for values and ethics in higher education.
In a section on the role of different stakeholders, the guidelines prepared by the University Grants Commission has the following advice for student unions: “Support the administration for right and timely decision [and] raise legitimate issues in dignified manner.”

This comes at a time when the involvement of students in political issues has come under scrutiny. Last week, Home Minister Amit Shah said the students driving the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act have been misled, and if students resort to violence, police will be forced to take action against them.
The guidelines, launched on Thursday, also call for students to “observe modesty in their overall appearance and behaviour”, “maintain good health and refrain from any kind of intoxicants” and “maintain harmony among students belonging to different socio-economic status, community, caste, religion or region”. (Source: The Hindu)


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UGC issues norms for ethics in higher education.

Novel CO2 capturing tech may cut vehicle emissions by 90% - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Novel CO2 capturing tech may cut vehicle emissions by 90%

The researchers' calculations show that a truck using one kilogramme (kg) of conventional fuel could produce 3kg of liquid CO2, and that the conversion does not involve any energy penalty.

Scientists have developed a new technology that could cut carbon dioxide emissions from trucks and buses by almost 90 per cent by capturing CO2 within the exhaust system, converting it into a liquid and storing it on the vehicle. The liquid CO2 would then be delivered to a service station where it will be turned back into fuel using renewable energy, according to the researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
They propose to capture CO2 and convert it from a gas to a liquid in a process that recovers most of energy available onboard, such as heat from the engine. In the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Energy Research, the scientists used the example of a delivery truck.
First, the vehicle’s flue gases in the exhaust pipe are cooled down and the water is separated from the gases. CO2 is isolated from the other gases such as nitrogen and oxygen with a temperature swing adsorption system, using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) adsorbent, which are specially designed to absorb CO2.
Once the material is saturated with CO2, it is heated so that pure CO2 can be extracted from it, the researchers said. High speed turbocompressors developed by Jurg Schiffmann’s laboratory at EPFL use heat from the vehicle’s engine to compress the extracted CO2 and turn it into a liquid. That liquid is stored in a tank and can then be converted back into conventional fuel at the service stations using renewable electricity, the researchers said.
“The truck simply deposits the liquid when filling up with fuel,” said Francois Marechal from EPFL.
The whole process takes place within a capsule placed above the driver’s cabin.
“The weight of the capsule and the tank is only 7 per cent of the vehicle’s payload. The process itself uses little energy, because all of its stages have been optimised,” said Marechal.
The researchers’ calculations show that a truck using one kilogramme (kg) of conventional fuel could produce 3kg of liquid CO2, and that the conversion does not involve any energy penalty.
Only 10 per cent of the CO2 emissions cannot be recycled, and the researchers propose to offset that using biomass, they said.
The system could theoretically work with all trucks, buses and even boats, and with any type of fuel, the researchers said. The advantage of this system is that, unlike electric or hydrogen-based ones, it can be retrofitted to existing trucks in order to neutralise their impact in terms of carbon emissions, they said.


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Novel CO2 capturing tech may cut vehicle emissions by 90%

Explained: The locust attack in Gujarat’s farms — why and when do swarms strike - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Explained: The locust attack in Gujarat’s farms — why and when do swarms strike

A small swarm on average eats as much in one day as about 10 elephants, 25 camels, or 2,500 people.

Gigantic swarms of locusts have descended on parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, destroying crops and triggering panic. The first large swarm arrived in Gujarat about 10 days ago. In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot earlier this week reviewed measures taken to deal with locust attacks in the western districts.
Some 10 swarms have entered Rajasthan since May; however, the crisis is currently the most acute in Gujarat.
What parts of Gujarat have been affected by the locust swarms?
Currently, at least 99 villages in the Vav, Tharad, and Suigam talukas of the border district of Banaskantha are affected by the swarms of locusts that began coming in to Gujarat from October onward.
The swarms first entered Kutch district, and have now reached Patan and Banaskantha. The worst affected villages are Daiyap of Vav taluka, and Antrol, Bhardasar, Kasavi, Takhuva and Radka villages of Tharad taluka, spread over an area of 15-20-kilometre radius.
What has the Gujarat government done to counter the pest attack?
The government has formed 27 locust control teams that has been engaged in spraying insecticides in the affected regions, especially in the Banaskantha district of North Gujarat.
The government has also ordered a survey of farmers affected by the locust swarms.
About 20 tractor mounted sprayers are currently being used to fight the locust attack. Until Wednesday, these teams had covered 1,815 hectares of 99 villages of Banaskantha by using insecticide sprayers mounted on tractors.
On Thursday (December 26) afternoon, the office of the Gujarat Chief Minister posted on Twitter a video of a team from the state’s Agriculture Department spraying pesticides on standing crops in Radka and other villages of Banaskantha district.
On December 23 and 24, the taluka development officer of Tharad had issued two advisories to all village sarpanchs and the principals of government primary and secondary schools, asking villagers to use primitive methods such as beating drums, chasing after the insects in large groups while making a loud noise, and spraying kerosene.
Videos showing Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani moving through farms beating a steel plate in an attempt to drive away the locusts had gone viral. Farmers were also seen trying to drive the insects away from their farms by using fire and smoke.
The local office of the Agriculture Department in Banaskantha has issued a circular asking farmers and villagers to clang metal plates with sticks, which officials said will not allow the locust swarms to settle.
At the time of the attacks in Kutch district in October, government officials had asked farmers to dig trenches around their farms in order to save their crops. Four villages of Lakhpat taluka had been affected then. With the help of the locust control teams, some 96% of the total affected area had been sprayed with the pesticide malathion.
What is the extent of damage locusts can cause?
The locust division of the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad, under the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, says that a small swarm of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), a polyphagous feeder (eating a large variety of plants), eats on average “as much food in one day as about 10 elephants, 25 camels or 2500 people”.
Locusts devour leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, bark and growing points, and also destroy plants by their sheer weight as they descend on them in massive numbers, it says.
According to the Directorate, locusts damaged crops worth Rs 10 crore during the 1926-31 plague cycle. During the 1940-46 and 1949-55 locust plague cycles, the damage was estimated at Rs 2 crore each, and at Rs 50 lakh during the last locust plague cycle (1959-62).
Although no locust plague cycles have been observed after 1962, during 1978 and 1993, largescale attacks were reported.
Bhuj in Gujarat saw the last upsurge in 1993. In Banaskantha, farmers fear that locust swarms will destroy the mustard, cumin and wheat crops currently standing in their fields.
When are locusts most likely to attack?
The Locust Warning Organisation LWO (comprising of all field units), a central government body responsible for issuing warnings and monitoring and controlling locust attacks, undertakes regular surveys in the scheduled desert area of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana, which are prone to swarms, to monitor the presence of desert locusts and ecological conditions.
The assessment is to determine if the locust numbers have crossed the economic threshold level (ETL) which is 10,000 adults/ha. and 5-6 hoppers/bush that may require control.
These surveys are done regularly during the entire year, but most importantly from May to November when desert locust activity is considered at its peak due to congenial breeding conditions.
This coincides with the monsoon season in Rajasthan and Gujarat, says the contingency Plan.
Officials of the Agriculture Department in Gujarat said that the locust menace is a natural occurrence which varies in intensity every year. The locusts remain inactive during evening and morning.
Most swarms enter Gujarat through Rajasthan and Pakistan, riding on the wind to travel across large distances. India is most at risk of a swarm invasion just before the onset of the monsoon. The swarms usually orginate in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.
The Gujarat government has said that this menace which began a week ago will continue for a few more days till the “direction of the wind changes.”
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The government has also ordered a survey of the farms that have been affected by locusts.


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Explained: The locust attack in Gujarat’s farms — why and when do swarms strike

Highlights of Major Decisions/Initiatives of MHA in the year 2019 - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Highlights of Major Decisions/Initiatives of MHA in the year 2019

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 – focus on granting Indian Citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities on ground of religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Marathon deliberations held by Union Home Minister with various stakeholders from North East and their concerns against the CAB 2019 addressed in the final Amendment Act.

Important Bills Passed by Parliament

1. Jammu and Kashmir - Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A ; The Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Act, 2019; The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2019
2. National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019
3. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019
4. Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019 – aims to increase operational efficiency of SPG in ensuring the security of the Prime Minister of India.
5. Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 – focus on granting Indian Citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities on ground of religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Marathon deliberations held by Union Home Minister with various stakeholders from North East and their concerns against the CAB 2019 addressed in the final Amendment Act.
6. Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 – enhances the punishment for existing offences like illegal manufacture, sale, transfer and illegal acquiring, possessing or carrying prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition; illicit trafficking of firearms; celebratory gunfire endangering human life. Arms licenses to be issued for 5 years in electronic form, which would prevent forgery. The Amendment would reduce possession of illegal firearms and commission of criminal offences by limiting 2 licenses per person. Ownership of arms by retired and serving personnel of armed forces and sportspersons remains unaffected by the Amendment. Further, Ancestral guns may be retained in a Deactivated State.
7. Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 - to make the constitution of NHRC and SHRCs broader and more inclusive.
8. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019 - Administrative efficiency, better service delivery and effective implementation of Central and State Government Schemes to be the focus.

Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh

1. Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A
• Historic step to remove Article 370 and 35A of Constitution of India
• Brought JK & Ladakh at par with other States and UTs
• All provisions of Constitution of India, without any modifications or exceptions, to now apply to JK & Ladakh
• Laws of Union Government wrt education, empowerment of SC, ST, Minorities etc to be applicable to JK & Ladakh
• Boost to local economy and employment opportunities by increasing investment; Reservation to EWS of society in jobs & educational institutions to apply in JK & Ladakh
• Betterment of socio-economic infrastructure in JK & Ladakh
2. The Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Act, 2019
Jammu and Kashmir reorganised into
• Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with legislature, and
• Union Territory of Ladakh without Legislature
• Formally came into force on 31st October, 2019
• Maps of newly formed UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh released
• 1st Winter-grade Diesel outlet for Ladakh inaugurated by Union Home Minister; move to boost tourism in extreme weather conditions
3. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2019
3% reservation in services and educational institutions extended to people living near the International Border (IB) in J&K, in line with reservation given to people living near the Line of Control (LoC)
4. Amarnath Yatra
• 3,42,883 yatris had safe and secure Darshan
• Higher by nearly 20%, as compared to 2018
5. Cabinet approved Inclusion of 5,300 Displaced Persons families of J&K in the Rehabilitation Package for Displaced Families of PoJK and Chhamb, under the PM’s Development Package 2015 for Jammu & Kashmir
6. Government Employees of UTs of J&K and Ladakh to get all 7th Central Pay Commission Allowances from 31st October 2019 - allowances worth around Rs. 4800 crores approved for Government employees.

Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

1. Union Cabinet passed a resolution on 22nd November 2018 to celebrate the historic occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Devji in a grand and befitting manner, throughout the country and across the globe.
2. India signed the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement with Pakistan on 24th October, 2019
3. Indian pilgrims of all faiths to undertake year-round Visa-free travel to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib through Kartarpur Sahib Corridor – a long standing demand of followers of Guru Nanak Dev ji
4. State of art Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) developed (estd. project cost – Rs. 400 crore), having modern public amenities and security features; architecture reflecting cultural heritage of Punjab
5. 54 Immigrations counters at PTB for facilitating travel of over 5000 pilgrims per day
6. 4.19 km long, 4-lane highway worth Rs. 120.05 crores built, in record time of 6 months, on Indian side for giving accessibility for pilgrims to the PTB
7. Special Trains run from across the country to facilitate pilgrims to visit Sultanpur Lodhi, the place where Guru Nanak Devji attained enlightenment and developed as Heritage Town
8. 300ft. Monumental National Flag at PTB
9. Online portal created to facilitate registration of pilgrims and provide other important information including Do’s & Dont’s and FAQs

Strict Action on Terror and Insurgency

1. National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019
• NIA empowered with extra territorial jurisdiction for investigation of terrorism related offences taking place outside India, in which Indian property/citizens are victims
• The mandate of NIA is expanded by inclusion of new offences viz. explosive substances, human trafficking, manufacturing/sale of prohibited arms and cyber terrorism, to its Schedule
2. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019
• Central Government empowered to designate individual as terrorist
• NIA empowered to seize/forfeit property representing proceeds of terrorism in cases investigated by NIA
• After recent amendment, 4 Individuals viz., Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi and Dawood Ibrahim proscribed as Terrorists
• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) banned for another five years under sub-sections of UAPA, 1967
3. Cyber Crime Control
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) launched as a citizen centric initiative to facilitate public for reporting of all types of Cyber Crimes without visiting Police Station
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• The complaints reported on this portal are accessible online to the law enforcement agencies of respective States/UTs for taking appropriate action as per law
• 12th India Security Summit on ‘Towards New National Cyber Security Strategy’ held in New Delhi
4. Review Meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE)
• Incidents of LWE violence down from 2258 in 2009 to 833 in 2018
• Number of deaths dropped from 1005 in 2009 to 240 in 2018
• Districts affected by naxal violence reduced from 96 in 2010 to 60 in 2018
5. Smart Fencing
Union Home Minister launched BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique) under Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) on Indo-Bangladesh border in Dhubri district of Assam, as an effective deterrence against illegal infiltration. Two pilot projects covering about 71 Kms on Indo-Pakistan Border (10 Kms) and Indo-Bangladesh Border (61 Kms) of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) have been completed.
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6. International Drug Syndicate busted
Largest seizure of contraband drugs by NCB in India - 20 Kgs of Cocaine, worth Rs. 100 crores, seized.

Focus North East

1. National Register of Citizens (NRC), Assam published on 31.08.2019
• A machinery created for detection and deportation of illegal immigrants
• ‘In-principle’ approval given for setting up of 1000 additional Foreigners Tribunals (FTs)
• ‘In-principle’ approval given to Assam Government for creation of e-FT platform (estd. cost – Rs. 99 crores)
2. Government of India, Government of Tripura & National Liberation Front of Twipra led by Sabir Kumar Debbarma (NLFT-SD) sign Memorandum of Settlement
• NLFT (SD) to abjure path of violence, join mainstream and abide by Constitution of India
• Agreed to surrender 88 cadres with their weapons
• Cadres to get surrender benefits as per the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme, 2018
• Government of Tripura to help surrendered cadres in housing, recruitment, education etc.
• Government of India to consider proposals of State Government for economic development of tribal areas of Tripura.
3. North East Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition inaugurated by Union Home Minister in Aizawl
Focus on tapping huge employment opportunities in the North East, due to availability of natural resources and presence of traditional culture and skill, by giving boost to traditional handloom and handicrafts

Disaster Management

1. International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
• Launched by Prime Minister during the UN Climate Action Summit in New York on 23rd September, 2019
• Knowledge exchange platform on different aspects of disaster and calamity resilience of infrastructure
• Assist countries for Infrastructure Development based on risk context and economic needs
• Pooling of Technological Expertise of stakeholders
2. Cyclones Fani, Vayu, Maha and Bulbul
• Successful coordination of Assistance to States and execution of Rescue & Rehabilitation and dissemination of timely information to National & Regional Media by MHA
• Sensitization Workshop for Nodal Officers dealing with Disaster Management in all Departments/ Ministries of Central Government held by MHA
3. Immediate Visits of Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) and Rescue-Relief Ops
• Preliminary visits by IMCT for on-the-spot assessment of the flood affected States without waiting for Memorandum from them
• IMCT to visit again for detailed damage assessment, after Memorandum submitted by States
• High Level Committee chaired by Union Home Minister approved Rs 4432.10 crore of additional Central assistance to Odisha, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh
• Additional financial assistance of Rs. 1813.75 crore given from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to flood affected States of Karnataka and Bihar
• 5375 persons rescued and more than 42,000 evacuated by NDRF from various districts of flood affected states viz. Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
• Central Forces successfully evacuated 900 persons from Mahalaxmi Express stranded in flood in Maharashtra
• NDRF evacuated more than 11,000 people from flood affected areas of Assam & Bihar
4. India hosted SCOJtEx-2019 for the 1st time
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Joint Exercise (SCOJtEx)-2019 on Urban Earthquake Search & Rescue organized in New Delhi
• Home Minister chaired 10th Meeting of Heads of Departments of SCO Member States, dealing with the prevention and Elimination of Emergency Situations
• SCOJtEx to facilitate collective preparedness & building a common understanding of internationally recognized procedures to co-ordinate post-earthquake responses
• This joint exercise with SCO member states to be helpful in developing personal understanding amongst counterpart teams to tackle any disaster situation
5. India hosted 1st International Conference on ‘Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience’ in New Delhi
6. Heat Wave 2020: Two-Day Workshop on Preparedness, Mitigation and Management of Heat Wave held in Bengaluru
7. Experts from 33 countries participated in International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure-2019, held in New Delhi.

Pride of the Nation - Security Forces

1. Increasing Age of Retirement of CAPFs Personnel to 60 years
• Ensuring Uniformity in Age of Retirement for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel
• More than 7 Lakh personnel to be benefitted
2. Organized Group ‘A’ Services Status to Officers of CAPFs
Grant of Consequential Benefits of Non Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU) and Non Functional Selection Grade (NFSG)
3. National Police University (NPU)
• ‘In-Principle’ approval given for establishing NPU
• 100 acres land made available for it
4. Two day National Conference on ‘Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails: Vulnerability of Inmates and Jail Staff and their Protection’ organized by Bureau of Police Research & development (BPR&D)
5. State-of-art building of Delhi Police Headquarters inaugurated in New Delhi

Census of India - 2021

1. Foundation Stone of ‘Janganana Bhawan’ laid; Census 2021 to be conducted in 16 languages
2. All India Conference of State Coordinators, Directors of Census Operations for Census of India 2021 and updation of National Population Register in the country held
3. Launch of a Census App and Census Portal
• The Mobile App for Pre—Test Data Collection started from 12.08.2019 released on Google Play Store
• Census Management and Monitoring Portal (CMMP) operationalized
• ‘Pen-Paper Census' to be transformed to a 'Digital Census' in Census 2021

National Unity

'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’
• Celebrated across the country with fanfare
• ‘Run For Unity’ organised throughout India – over 25,000 participated in New Delhi alone
2. ‘Sardar Patel National Unity Award’
• Government of India instituted Highest Civilian Award for contribution to Unity and Integrity of India
• Notification issued by Ministry of Home Affairs on 20th September, 2019
• President of India to confer the Award by a Sanad under his hand and seal
• Presentation ceremony to be held along with the Padma Award presentation ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Award to consist of a medal and a citation
3. Inter-State Council Meetings
• North, West and East Zonal Councils Meetings organised by MHA
• To foster Inter-State co-operation and co-ordination in the field of economic and social planning, border disputes, linguistic minorities or inter-State transport etc.
• Issues having Centre-State and inter-State ramifications resolved with consensus, after due deliberations
4. Emergency Response Support System (ERSS- Dial 112) launched; operational in 28 States/UTs
• Single emergency number (112)
• Step towards building a SMART Police force - Citizen Centric Service to strengthen proactive community policing
• Computer aided dispatch of field resources to the location of distress
• Citizens can send their emergency information through call, sms, email and through the 112 India mobile app.
• MHA has sanctioned Rs. 100 crores from Nirbhaya Fund for setting up/strengthening of Women Help Desks in Police Stations, with a view of making police stations more women friendly and approachable.
5. National Launch of Private Security Agency Licensing Portal
• Online portal to ensure transparency in licensing in Private Security sector and give a boost to its credibility
• Initiative to give a pan-India profile to the online licensing process – boost employment opportunities in the sector
• Easy online access of criminal records from across the country – facilitate easy online police verification of security guards
6. Unified Portal for Licensing of Eating Houses/ Lodging Houses in NCT of Delhi launched
• Single window online system, under Digital India programme, to improve Ease of Doing Business and encourage entrepreneurs to start up new businesses in Food and Beverages sector.
• A people-friendly system to prevent corruption by infusion of transparency and increase compliance with rules and regulations by all stakeholders through simplifying and rationalizing the regulatory processes (registration & inspection).

Bilateral Agreements/MoUs

1. India and Uzbekistan signed Security Cooperation Agreement
2. MoU between India and Indonesia on combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors
3. MoUs signed between India and Saudi Arabia in the field of combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors
4. MoU signed between India and Myanmar on bilateral cooperation for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons
5. MoU between India and USA to access tip line reports on Missing and Exploited Children


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Highlights of Major Decisions/Initiatives of MHA in the year 2019