Context: The farming crisis is forcing youths to take to illegal migration. The people affected by distress in their homeland seek opportunities in the developed world despite the enormous risks during their journeys. The recent episode of the forced return of 303 Indians who were detained at a French airport is suspected to be another such instance, or worse, trafficking.

Background:

Surge in Migration Attempts to the U.S.:

• Alarming increase in Indians attempting to enter the U.S., nearly 100,000 between October 2022 and September 2023.
• Five times higher than the previous year, as per U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.

Migration Routes:

• More than half attempted entry through the heavily guarded Mexican border.
• Others sought entry through the sparsely manned Canadian border.

Treacherous Routes and Risks:

• Rise in Indians taking treacherous routes, highlighted by the death of a six-year-old girl from Punjab in the Arizona desert in June 2019.
• Surge began before the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Trump Administration invoking Title 42 to turn away asylum seekers.

Impact of Title 42 and Post-COVID-19 Migration:

• Title 42 empowered border agencies to turn away asylum seekers without a hearing.
• Migration attempts increased again after the COVID-19 years and the Biden Administration coming to power.

Desperation or Misguidance:

• Indians taking significant risks and facing enormous difficulties to become illegal immigrants in the U.S.
• Suggests motives of desperation or potential misinformation leading to such migration attempts.

Reasons of illegal migration

Out of nearly 97,000 Indians at the American border in the current year, 45,000 claimed fear in their home country.

• Fear of religious and political persecution was identified as a major factor.
• Lack of economic opportunities in India and the easing of pandemic restrictions were other contributing factors.
• Their situation has been exacerbated by the crisis that they face in farming with plummeting incomes and overexploited and fragmented farmlands.
• Government's handling of protests against the agriculture laws influenced Sikhs' perception of mistreatment in Punjab.
• Backlog in legal immigration channels prompted Indians, particularly from Punjab and Gujarat, to pursue illegal routes.
• Financially better-off individuals in these states were opting for illegal routes due to the challenge in legal channels.
• Financial constraints in legal immigration channels led to the choice of illegal routes.Agents charged significant amounts, ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 70 lakh, making it difficult for many to afford.
• Punjabis and Gujaratis, forming a significant portion of the Indian community in the US, perceived the "American dream" as more attainable.
• English-educated, affluent Indians saw the US as a promised land with better opportunities.
• The surge in demand for work in the US from the English-educated, affluent class exceeded the capacity of the US visa framework.

The 'Donkey Route'

1. Rise in Incidents of Indian Illegal Immigration:

• Recent grounding of a Nicaragua-bound flight is part of a trend highlighting challenges faced by Indians trying to enter the US.
• Tragic incidents, such as the discovery of bodies on the US-Canada border, have garnered attention.

2. Alarming Increase in Undocumented Indian Immigrants:

• Despite risks, US Customs and Border Protection recorded an unprecedented 96,917 undocumented Indian immigrants in 2022-’23.
• A significant surge from 1,500 a decade ago, with a sharp escalation observed since 2019.

3. The 'Donkey Route' and Changing Dynamics:

• Agents facilitating migration use the "donkey route," guiding Indians through multiple countries until they reach Canada or Mexico.
• Notable routes involve Latin American countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, or Venezuela, which provide visas on arrival for Indian citizens.
• From these countries, migrants proceed to Mexico, and from there, they independently navigate their way to the US border on foot.

4. Changing Preferences in Migration Routes:

• Mexico remains a popular route, but there is a noticeable increase in traffic through the northern US-Canada border.
• nearly 97,000 Indians held by the US in a year, over 31,000 were apprehended at the northern border.
• This marks a significant shift from the less than 100 Indians held in 2014 when approximately 1,500 were apprehended.

5. Regional Concentration of Illegal Migrants:

• Gujarat and Punjab are identified as significant contributors to the surge in illegal migrants to the US.
• Superintendent-rank police officer highlights these states as primary Sources of undocumented immigrants.

6. Concerns and Implications:

• The increase in Indian illegal immigration poses challenges for US authorities in managing detainment and border security.
• The "donkey route" phenomenon underscores the desperation and risks migrants are willing to take for a chance at a better life in the US.

Potential solutions to address illegal migration issue:

Enhanced Border Security:

• Strengthen border surveillance and security measures to deter illegal crossings.
• Invest in advanced technologies such as sensors, cameras, and drones for effective monitoring.

International Cooperation:

• Collaborate with neighboring countries and international organizations to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to curb illegal migration.
• Engage in bilateral or regional agreements to address the root causes of migration and enforce border controls collectively.

Public Awareness Campaigns:

• Conduct awareness campaigns in SOURCE regions to educate potential migrants about the risks and legal consequences of using illegal routes.
• Highlight legal avenues for migration and emphasize the dangers associated with irregular migration.

Improved Legal Immigration Channels:

• Streamline and expedite legal immigration processes to reduce the backlog and provide viable alternatives to illegal routes.
• Create pathways for temporary or seasonal labor migration to meet specific labor demands.

Address Root Causes:

• Tackle the root causes of migration, such as economic instability, lack of opportunities, and political persecution.
• Implement policies that promote economic development, job creation, and social stability in SOURCE regions.
• A crackdown on exploitative middlemen in the labour market can only be the beginning.
• Investment in agriculture

Diplomatic Engagement:

• Engage in diplomatic dialogue with SOURCE and transit countries to address shared concerns and find collaborative solutions.
• Explore diplomatic solutions to geopolitical issues that contribute to migration pressures.

Humanitarian Assistance:

Provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in SOURCE regions, addressing issues like poverty, displacement, and food insecurity.

• Support local initiatives that promote sustainable development and livelihood opportunities.

Crackdown on Human Trafficking Networks:

• Strengthen law enforcement efforts to identify and dismantle human trafficking networks operating along the donkey route.
• Collaborate with international agencies to disrupt organized crime involved in facilitating illegal migration.

Regional Development Initiatives:

• Invest in regional development initiatives that foster economic growth, infrastructure development, and job creation in areas prone to illegal migration.
• Encourage regional cooperation to address common challenges and create a conducive environment for stability.

Legal Protections for Asylum Seekers:

• Ensure fair and efficient asylum processes for individuals genuinely seeking refuge.
• Provide legal protections and support for vulnerable populations, addressing their concerns and needs.

Capacity Building:

• Build the capacity of border control agencies and law enforcement to effectively manage and secure borders.
• Invest in training programs and Resources to enhance the capabilities of agencies involved in border management.

Community Engagement:

• Work with local communities to address social and economic issues that contribute to migration.
• Foster community engagement and cooperation in preventing and reporting illegal migration activities.

Context: The pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Friday  signed a historic tripartite peace deal with the Government of India and the state government of Assam. 

Background:

Roots in Assamese anxieties

• Assamese people have a unique culture, language, and strong identity.
• In the 19th century, the region's economic growth in tea, coal, and oil attracted migrants, causing insecurity among the indigenous population.
• The Partition and the influx of refugees from former East Pakistan heightened tensions in Assam.
• The competition for Resources led to a six-year-long mass movement.
• In 1985, the Assam Accord was signed to address the issue of foreigners and find a solution for challenges faced by the indigenous population.
• Amidst these developments, radical thinkers, including Bhimakanta Buragohain, Arabinda Rajkhowa, Anup Chetia, Pradip Gogoi, Bhadreshwar Gohain, and Paresh Baruah, formed the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) on April 7, 1979.

Four decades of bloodshed

• The 44-year-long struggle has involved kidnappings, extortion, executions, and bomb blasts, causing tragic loss of life in Assam and beyond.
• The Indian state's response has included Operation Bajrang in 1990, leading to the arrest of 1,221 ULFA insurgents, the declaration of Assam as a 'disturbed area,' imposition of President's rule, and invoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
• Certain factions of ULFA, such as Surrendered ULFA (SULFA), allegedly received government support and engaged in "secret killings" of ULFA insurgents and their families.
• ULFA has survived with external assistance, maintaining camps in Myanmar and previously in Bangladesh and Bhutan, serving as launchpads for cross-border operations, shelters, and training bases for new recruits.
• ULFA has connections to other insurgent groups in the Northeast and Myanmar, as well as Islamic terror outfits like Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and Al-Qaeda.
• Paresh Baruah, ULFA's self-styled military chief, reportedly met Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
• ULFA has links to Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and openly supported Pakistan during the Kargil War, as indicated in its newsletter Swadhinata.

Towards peace talks

• In 2005, ULFA formed the 11-member 'People’s Consultative Group' (PCG) with intellectuals, including Indira Raisom Goswami, to mediate talks with the government.
• The PCG conducted three rounds of discussions before ULFA walked out, leading to a new wave of terror.
• Some ULFA commanders, like Arabinda Rajkhowa, sought peace talks from 2008 onwards.
• Paresh Baruah opposed talks, leading to Rajkhowa's expulsion in 2012, resulting in a major split in ULFA.
• Baruah formed ULFA (Independent), while Rajkhowa's faction engaged in peace talks with the government.
• In 2012, the pro-talks faction submitted a 12-point charter of demands to the central government.
• The central government responded to the demands earlier this year, leading to discussions in April.
• A tripartite peace agreement was reached between Rajkhowa's faction and the Centre in the given timeframe.

Significance

• Previously the agreements were signed with various groups, including NLFT in 2019, Bru and Bodo in 2020, Karbi in 2021, Adivasi in 2022, and Assam-Meghalaya, Assam-Arunachal, and UNLF agreements in 2023.The ULFA agreement will usher in a new era of peace for the entire Northeast, especially Assam.
• A time-bound program will be established to fulfill ULFA's demands, with a monitoring committee overseeing the process.
• This will fulfill the vision of a peaceful, prosperous and insurgency-free Northeast and bringing everlasting peace, prosperity and all-round development of Assam. 

ULFA

• United Liberation Front of Assam, is an armed separatist group active in the northeastern state of Assam in India.
• The organization aims to create an independent sovereign nation state of Assam for the indigenous Assamese people, employing armed struggle in the ongoing Assam conflict.
• In 1990, the Government of India proscribed ULFA, labeling it as a terrorist organization. Additionally, the United States

Context: There needs to be a focus on solutions that enhance the activities of daily life and the quality of life for the disabled

News:

• The United Nations has emphasized the need for "transformative solutions" that promote inclusive development and leave no one behind, refocusing attention on disability-reducing innovations.
• The field of "neuropsychiatry," situated at the brain-mind interface, has witnessed numerous treatment innovations aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Neuropsychiatric disorders, inherently disabling, span the entire lifespan, encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability in childhood (317 million individuals).
• Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, addictions, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder affect 167 million adolescents and 970 million people globally throughout adolescence and adult life.
• Traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, epilepsy, and headaches present challenges across the lifespan, while conditions like stroke, Alzheimer’s dementia, and Parkinson’s disease impact 276 million individuals in old age.
• According to the World Health Organization's Global Burden of Disease study (2019), 2.41 billion individuals globally could benefit from rehabilitation, contributing to 310 million Years of Living with Disabilities (YLD), marking a 63% increase from 1990 to 2019.
• Rehabilitation services, often perceived as disability-specific and limited to a few, have not been prioritized in many countries, despite their individual and societal benefits.

About disability

• Disability arises from the interplay between individuals with impairments and societal and environmental barriers that impede their complete and active engagement in society on an equal footing with others.
• As per the 2011 Census, disabled individuals make up 2.21% of India's total population, with 7.62% falling within the age group of 0-6 years.
• India has endorsed the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability and officially ratified it on October 1, 2007. The enactment of a new disability legislation, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, expanded the recognized disabilities from 7 to 21 conditions.
• There has been a significant shift in the focus on disabilities, transitioning from an individual-centric approach to a societal perspective, moving from a medical model of disability to a social or human rights model.

Models of disability

Medical Model:

Individuals with specific physical, intellectual, psychological, and mental impairments are considered disabled. Disability is attributed to the individual, seen as limitations in activity. Responsibility lies on the individual to adapt to the environment through cures, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Social Model:

Focuses on society imposing undue restrictions on individuals with impairment. Disability is not inherent to individuals but results from the interaction between individuals and society. Highlights societal structures as contributing factors to disability.

Issues Related to Persons with Disability in India:

Discrimination:

- Continuous discrimination based on the stigma attached to persons with disabilities.

- Lack of understanding of their rights hinders their attainment of valued functioning.

- Women and girls with disabilities face a higher risk of sexual and gender-based violence.

Health

- A significant number of disabilities are preventable, including those from medical issues during birth, maternal conditions, malnutrition, accidents, and injuries.

- Lack of awareness, care, and accessible medical facilities contribute to the health-related challenges. Education and Employment

- Insufficient availability of special schools, access to schools, trained teachers, and educational materials for individuals with disabilities.

- Despite the capability of many disabled adults for productive work, they experience significantly lower employment rates than the general population.

Political Participation

Exclusion of disabled people from political spaces occurs at all levels of the political process.

- Challenges include the lack of live aggregate data on disabled individuals in constituencies, inaccessibility of the voting process, and barriers to participation in party politics.

- Political parties generally do not prioritize the needs of disabled individuals as a large electorate.

Lax Implementation:

- Despite admirable government initiatives, most buildings in India lack disability-friendly infrastructure.

- The Accessible India Campaign instructs ministries to make buildings accessible, but compliance is lacking.

- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act mandates a quota for disabled individuals in government jobs and higher education, but a majority of these positions remain unfilled.

Way Forward for Addressing Disability Issues:

Preventive Actions:

Strengthen preventive health programs with universal screening for all children at a young age. Implement early prevention programs, such as Kerala's Comprehensive Newborn Screening (CNS), to identify deficits in infants and reduce the burden of disability.

Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Approach:

Implement the CBR approach to maximize the physical and mental abilities of people with disabilities. Ensure access to regular services and opportunities for full integration within communities.

Increasing Public Awareness:

Run social campaigns by governments, voluntary organizations, and professional associations to change attitudes related to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Mainstream media should continue to portray positive representations of people with disabilities, as seen in movies like "Taare Zameen Par" and "Barfi."

Education Transition:

Address the stigma associated with special schools by promoting inclusiveness among disabled students. Establish proper transition channels between special schools and the outer world.

Collaboration With States:

Raise awareness about care for pregnant mothers and ensure good and accessible medical facilities in rural areas. Support state governments with fiscal decentralization in the health sector, recognizing health as a 'state subject' in the constitution.

Context: The 82nd Session of Indian History Congress(IHC) began at Kakatiya University in Warangal.

News:

• Kakatiya University is set to host the Indian History Congress (IHC) after a hiatus of 30 years.
• The IHC is an annual two-day conference scheduled to commence on December 28 and conclude on December 30.
• The conference will feature discussion panels covering various topics, including Dalit History and Deccan Past and Present.
• A total of 1067 papers are slated to be presented during the event.

The Indian History Congress

• The Indian History Congress (IHC) is the largest professional and academic organization for Indian historians, boasting a membership of over 35,000 historians.
• Established initially as the Modern History Congress, its inaugural session took place in Poona in 1935.
• The vision of the IHC is to comprehensively study all facets of history, including political, economic, cultural, and nationalist aspects, while emphasizing integrative factors in the past.
• The organization is committed to representing a secular and scientific approach to understanding India's history.
• "The Proceedings of the Indian History Congress" serves as the annual journal of the IHC, featuring selected research papers from its annual sessions covering various aspects and periods of Indian history.
• Notable historians, including Mohammad Habib, Ram Sharan Sharma, Satish Chandra, Bipan Chandra, Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib, Barun De, and K. N. Panikkar, have been associated with the Indian History Congress.

Context: Capital markets regulator Sebi on Thursday came out with a procedure for public issuance of 'zero coupon zero principle' instruments by not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and listing of such instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE).

News:

• Instruments issued in dematerialized form are non-transferable.
• The minimum issue size for such instruments is set at Rs 50 lakh, with a minimum application size of Rs 10,000.
• A minimum subscription of 75% of the proposed funds must be achieved for the issuance.
• The process for listing on the SSE involves filing a draft fundraising document with the SSE through the lead manager, seeking in-principle approval for listing.
• SSE provides observations on the draft document within 30 days, and NPO incorporates these observations before opening the issue.
• If the subscription is less than 75% of the issue size, funds will be refunded.
• SSE is responsible for maintaining details of allotment for zero coupon and zero principal instruments issued by an NPO.
• SSE sets additional norms for the issue procedure, including agreements with depositories, banks, duration for public issuance, allocation methodology, and other ancillary matters.

'Zero Coupon Zero Principal' instruments

• They are financial tools utilized by non-profit organizations for fundraising.
• When these securities are issued, the funds raised are considered donations rather than loans.
• The issuing entity is not obligated to pay interest (zero coupon) or repay the principal amount (zero principal).
• Similar to other debt instruments, these securities have a specific time duration.
• The securities can be purchased by individuals or corporations through SSE when available.
• The Finance Ministry has categorized zero coupon zero principal instruments (ZCZP) as securities under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.
• SEBI governs the rules and regulations pertaining to these instruments.
• The significance lies in enabling organizations and corporations to use their social responsibility funds more transparently and support non-profit organizations effectively.

SEBI

• It was established in 1988, is the regulatory authority for India's securities and commodities market, operating under the ownership of the Finance Ministry.
• Its primary objectives include safeguarding investors' interests and fostering the development of the securities market.
• SEBI gained autonomy and statutory status with the enactment of the SEBI Act in 1992.
• Functioning as a quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative body, SEBI possesses the authority to formulate regulations, conduct investigations, and impose penalties.
• The SEBI Board comprises a Chairman serving a 3-year term, along with various Full-time and Part-time members.
• NPOs, or non-profit organizations, are legal entities that operate for the public and societal benefit rather than for profit.

SSE

• Social Stock Exchanges(SSE), constitutes a distinct segment within the existing stock exchange structure.
• It serves as a platform for social enterprises to raise funds from the public through its designated mechanism.
• The proposal for establishing SSE was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the 2019 budget speech.
• Eligibility for listing on SSE is open to both for-profit social businesses (FPSE) and non-profit organizations (NPO) that demonstrate a commitment to social causes.
• SEBI's Regulations of 2018 outline 17 reasonable criteria for qualification, including objectives related to education, employability, equality, environmental sustainability, and efforts to combat hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.

Context: The government announced the extension of export benefits under the RoDTEP scheme for ecommerce exports through post or couriers.

News:

• The RoDTEP scheme, implemented three years ago, involves the refund of non-creditable central, state, and local levies embedded in exporters' inputs.
• Currently, e-commerce exporters are excluded from RoDTEP benefits.
• The Commerce Ministry is set to issue a notification stating that RoDTEP will be accessible for e-commerce.
• The ministry will facilitate any necessary IT enablement for the inclusion of e-commerce in the RoDTEP scheme.
• Estimating e-commerce exports is challenging as a significant portion is integrated into merchandise exports by major companies like Amazon and Walmart.
• India's e-commerce exports, considering postal and courier exports, are currently valued at approximately $1 to $1.5 billion, a fraction of the total $421 billion in exports.

RoDTEP Scheme

• The RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme aims to reimburse exporters for central, state, and local duties or taxes embedded in their products.
• It addresses a disadvantage faced by Indian exports by refunding duties that were not previously rebated or refunded.
• The scheme does not apply to duties and taxes that are already exempted, remitted, or credited.
• Launched in January 2021, it replaced the non-compliant Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS), which provided additional benefits ranging from 2% to 7% on the Freight On Board (FOB) value of eligible exports.
• MEIS was deemed non-compliant with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, as countries with a per capita income above $1000 cannot offer export subsidies. India lost the WTO case and introduced RoDTEP to comply with WTO norms.
• The Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) Scheme, separate for garment exporters, has been notified.
• Tax refund rates under RoDTEP range from 0.5% to 4.3% for different sectors.
• Rebates will be claimed as a percentage of the Freight On Board value of exports.
• Issued in the form of a transferable duty credit or electronic scrip (e-scrip), maintained in an electronic ledger by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

The Government has taken the following measures to boost exports and reduce trade deficit:

1. Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) extended upto 31-03-2023.
2. Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit has also been extended upto 31-03-2024.
3. Assistance provided through several schemes to promote exports, namely, Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) and Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme. 
4. Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) Scheme to promote  labour oriented textile export has been implemented since 07.03.2019.
5. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme has been implemented since 01.01.2021.
6. Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin has been launched to facilitate trade and increase Free Trade Agreement (FTA) utilization by exporters.
7. 12 Champion Services Sectors have been identified for promoting and diversifying services exports by pursuing specific action plans.
8. Districts as Export Hubs has been launched by identifying products with export potential in each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district.
9. Active role of Indian missions abroad towards promoting India’s trade, tourism, technology and investment goals has been enhanced.
10. Package announced in light of the COVID pandemic to support domestic industry through various banking and financial sector relief measures, especially for MSMEs, which constitute a major share in exports.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade

• Establishment and Affiliation: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is a branch of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, formed in 1991 to oversee and implement foreign trade policies.
• Policy Formulation: DGFT plays a crucial role in crafting the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) for India, outlining guidelines, incentives, and regulations governing the import and export of goods and services.
• Licensing and Regulation: DGFT issues, regulates, and updates licenses, permits, and authorizations necessary for imports and exports. It manages lists of restricted and prohibited items.
• Export Promotion Schemes: The DGFT administers various schemes such as Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), and Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) to encourage exports and boost India's competitiveness.
• Trade Facilitation: DGFT focuses on simplifying procedures, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and promoting the digitization of trade-related processes to facilitate efficient international trade.
• Monitoring and Enforcement: DGFT actively monitors exporters' and importers' compliance with trade regulations, taking necessary actions to enforce export obligations and prevent the misuse of export incentives.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on the Project Kusha to operationally deploy its own long-range air defense system by 2028-29.

Aim – To develop India’s own Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LR-SAM)

Jointly developed with - Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturers

Ranges - Hit hostile targets at 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km ranges.

Project Kusha:

• 'Project Kusha' is set to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a long-range air defence system, with deployment targeted for 2028-29.
• The ambitious indigenous project will be developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at an estimated budget of Rs 21,700 crore. 
• Drawing parallels with Israel's renowned Iron Dome system, 'Project Kusha' is expected to not only match but potentially surpass the capabilities of its Israeli counterpart.
• It aims to detect and destroy various hostile targets, including cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, and drones at extended ranges.

Key Features:

• The long-range surface-to-air defence system (LR-SAM) incorporates advanced long-range surveillance and fire control radars, which empower the IAF to effectively monitor airspace and fend off enemy threats.
• Interceptor missiles, with ranges of 150 km, 200 km, and 350 km, provide the ability to detect and strike hostile targets at different distances.
• It will also be effective in providing strategic and tactical cover.
• The system reportedly has a single-shot kill chance of at least 80%and over 90% when two missiles are fired after each other.
• The firing units of 'Project Kusha' can seamlessly integrate with the IAF's air command and control system, facilitating coordination with a wide range of military radars.

Features – The LR-SAM system will be a mobile platform equipped with long range surveillance and fire control radars.

• It seeks to establish a formidable 3 layered defense system to detect and destroy incoming stealth fighters, aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions.
• It will be made capable of interacting with an integrated command and control system (IACCS), an automated air defence command and control centre used by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The ground systems include Igla, OSA-AK-M, Pechora missiles, Spyder quick-reaction missiles, indigenous Akash area defence missiles and the Barak-8 medium-range SAM systems.

What is Iron Dome?

• It is Israel’s air missile defense systemthat can defend against short-range rockets, intercepting them in the air above the state.
• It is capable of successfully handling multiple rockets at a time.
• Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the system became operational in March 2011.
• Features:
• The Iron Dome functions by detecting, analysing, and intercepting varieties of targets such as mortars, rockets, and artillery. 
• It is powered by missile-defense batteries.
• It has all-weather capabilitiesand is able to function night or day.
• It is able to launch a variety of interceptor missiles. 
• It is designed to shoot down missiles with a range of about 40 miles or less.
• It must be reloaded continuously to intercept incoming missiles.

ISRO's XPoSat was successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About- India's inaugural scientific satellite to measure space-based polarization of X-ray emissions from celestial sources such as black holes and neutron stars in the medium energy band (8-30 keV).

• Orbit location - Low earth orbit (650 km), low inclination of 6 degree)
• Launch vehicle - PSLV C58
• Mission life - 5 years
• Payloads - The satellite carries 2 payloads.

XPoSAT is the 2^nd spacecraft in the world which will study celestial bodies using polarimetric techniques, after NASA's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).

PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)

• The fourth stage of PSLV (PS4), also called the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) will perform orbital experiments.Since this is the 3^rd time ISRO has used PS4 to exhibit orbital experiments, XPoSAT's PS4 is called POEM-3.
• The spent PS4 stage will be used to conduct in-orbit scientific experiments in microgravity conditions for an extended duration of 4-6 months.
• It derives power from the solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank and a Lithium-ion battery.
• POEM-3 is equipped with 10 payloads.