UPSC Mains 2023 GS3 Q10: model answer
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.
What the question wants
The drone threat and the counter-measures being taken, with gaps.
How to structure it
Intro: drones from Pakistan along Punjab and Jammu borders; Jammu airbase attack (2021). Body: (1) Threat: arms, drugs, fake currency; low radar signature; (2) Measures: BSF anti-drone systems, DRDO's D4 system, jammers, spoofers, Drone Rules 2021 and registration on Digital Sky, BSF jurisdiction extended to 50 km (2021), NIA cases, rewards for information, village defence, coordination with Punjab Police; (3) Gaps: cost, cheap drones, swarm tech. Conclusion: layered counter-drone grid and indigenous tech.
- 1(1) Threat: arms, drugs, fake currency
- 2Low radar signature
- 3(2) Measures: BSF anti-drone systems, DRDO's D4 system, jammers, spoofers, Drone Rules 2021 and registration on Digital Sky, BSF jurisdiction extended to 50 km (2021), NIA cases, rewards for information, village defence, coordination with Punjab Police
- 4(3) Gaps: cost, cheap drones, swarm tech
Model answer
Since about 2019 drones from across the Pakistan border have dropped weapons, drugs and fake currency in Punjab and Jammu. In June 2021 drones attacked the Jammu Air Force Station. BSF recovered over 100 drones in Punjab in 2023.
Measures being taken
- Anti-drone systems: DRDO's D4 system (detect, deter, destroy), jammers and spoofers deployed along the border.
- BSF jurisdiction extended to 50 km in Punjab, Assam and West Bengal (2021).
- Regulation: Drone Rules, 2021 with registration on the Digital Sky platform and no-fly zones.
- Investigation: NIA probes the cross-border networks; forensic analysis of seized drones.
- Community: rewards for information and village defence committees in border areas.
- Coordination: joint operations by BSF and Punjab Police.
Gaps
- Systems are costly and cover limited stretches.
- Small, cheap drones fly low and evade radar.
- Swarm technology is a growing risk.
A layered counter-drone grid, indigenous technology and intelligence on handlers in Pakistan are essential.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
D4 anti-drone system Drone Rules 2021 BSF 50 km Jammu air base attack NIA
Where most answers lose marks
- Only describing the threat.
- No specific measures.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-III-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.