Mission Divyastra (GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The Defence Research & Development Organisation successfully conducted Mission Divyastra, a maiden test flight of the nuclear-capable Agni-V with the Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV).
- The test flight, dubbed Mission Divyastra, marked the first time the technology was tested, which aims to deliver multiple warheads on a target in a single launch, giving India a unique ability in strategic defence of its boundaries.
What is MIRV Technology?
- Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) stand out as a pinnacle of strategic military technology.
- Developed initially in the early 1960s, MIRVs have revolutionised the concept of ballistic missile payloads by enabling a single missile to carry multiple nuclear warheads, each capable of striking different targets independently.
- The inception of MIRV technology was marked by the United States' successful test of the Minuteman III in 1968, which introduced this game-changing capability into actual use by 1970.
- This innovation allowed for several smaller warheads to replace a single larger one, significantly enhancing the effectiveness and survivability of missile systems against anti-ballistic missile defenses.
- The strategic shift prompted by MIRVs has been profound, enabling nations to achieve greater target damage and reduce the effectiveness of enemy missile defense systems, thereby altering the landscape of global nuclear deterrence.
Current status:
- As of today, only a handful of countries have confirmed the deployment of MIRV missile systems, pointing to the complexity and advanced technological threshold required for such capabilities.
- The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and India are among the elite group that possesses this sophisticated technology.
- Pakistan is also on the path to developing MIRV capabilities, as evidenced by its test launch of the Ababeel medium-range ballistic missile, marking a significant milestone in South Asia's strategic balance.
Strategic implications:
- The strategic implications of MIRV technology are several, as it enhances first-strike proficiency and complicates the calculus of mutual assured destruction.
- With the ability to deploy multiple warheads from a single missile, nations can achieve a broader spread of targets, making missile defense systems less effective and more costly to maintain.
- The possession of MIRV technology not only signifies a nation's advanced military prowess but also plays a crucial role in shaping international security and nuclear deterrence strategies.
Agni missiles:
- The Agni missiles are designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). With Agni-5, India's indigenously developed missiles have come a long way.
Agni-1:
- Agni-1 is the first of the five-missile Agni series launched in 1983 by DRDO.
- It is a nuclear-capable missile and can carry a payload of up to 1,000 kg. It has a range of 700 kilometres.
Agni-2
- First test fired in 1999, Agni-2 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile which can carry a payload of 1,000 kg.
- The surface-to-surface missile is 20 metres long and has a range of 2,000 to 2,500 kilometres.
- The two-stage missile is also equipped with an advanced high-accuracy navigation system.
Agni-3
- A successor of Agni-2, Agni-3 is also an intermediate-range ballistic missile and can reach upto 3,500 kilometres. The two-stage missile can carry a payload of 1,500 kilograms.
- The circular error probable (CEP) of the Agni-3 missile is around 40 metres. The missile was integrated inducted into the armed forces in 2011.
Agni-4
- The range increased even further with Agni-4, which can go as far as 4,000 kilometres. The 20-metre-long missile can carry a payload of 1,000 kg and can be fired from a road-mobile launcher.
- During its test launch in 2012, Agni-4 covered more than 3,000 km in 20 minutes. It was the longest-range mission flown by the DRDO at the time.
- The Agni-4 missile was earlier called Agni-2 Prime.
Agni-5
- Agni-5 is an intercontinental ballistic missile that can strike targets at ranges beyond 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy. The three-stage missile is 17 metres tall and is capable of delivering a 1.5 tonne nuclear warhead.
- It can bring almost the entire Asia, including the northernmost part of China, as well as some regions in Europe under its striking range.
- With the addition of the MIRV technology, the missile's warhead could be split into multiple re-entry vehicles to deliver a precise and targeted attack. A single missile would, therefore, be capable of delivering multiple warheads.
Agni-6
- The DRDO is reportedly in the early stages of developing Agni-6 and the missile is expected to have a range between 9,000 to 12,000 kms with a 3-tonne nuclear payload.
Union Home Ministry notifies CAA rules ahead of Lok Sabha election
(GS Paper 2, Polity and Constitution)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Home Ministry notified the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024 that would enable the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by Parliament in 2019.
- The legislation, passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019 empowers the Centre to grant Indian nationality to persecuted religious minorities, including Hindus, Jains, Parsis, Christians, Buddhists, and Sikhs, who sought refuge in India from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan until December 31, 2014.
Key takeaways from the CAA Act rules:
Eligibility for Citizenship under Section 6B:
- Individuals of Indian origin.
- Individuals married to Indian citizens.
- Minor children of Indian citizens.
- Individuals whose parents are registered Indian citizens.
- Individuals or their parents who were citizens of Independent India.
- Individuals registered as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholders.
Special documents required with the citizenship application include:
- An affidavit attesting to the character of the applicant, to be provided by an Indian citizen.
- Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in one of the languages enumerated in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Factors delaying CAA Implementation:
- The delay in implementing the CAA can be attributed primarily to two factors:
- First, widespread protests erupted across various parts of the country, resulting in clashes between protesters and authorities.
- Secondly, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which struck India in March 2020, further contributed to the delay.
There are certain exceptions where the CAA provisions do not apply:
Areas Covered by Sixth Schedule:
- The amendments introduced by the CAA do not extend to regions governed by the Constitution's sixth schedule. These areas, found in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, are autonomous tribal-dominated regions.
- Migrants belonging to identified communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan based on religion cannot obtain Indian citizenship if they reside in these areas.
States with Inner-Line Permit (ILP) Regime:
- The CAA also does not include states with an inner-line permit (ILP) regime, primarily located in north-east India. The ILP is a special permit required for non-residents to enter and reside in these states for a limited duration.
- States where the ILP system is operational include Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Lakshadweep, and Himachal Pradesh.
The implementation of the CAA heralds significant changes in the citizenship landscape:
- Amendments to the Citizenship Act of 1955: The CAA alters the provisions of the Citizenship Act of 1955, which previously prohibited illegal migrants in India from acquiring Indian citizenship.
- Eligibility of Undocumented Migrants: Individuals who entered India without valid travel documents or overstayed their permitted period, previously categorised as foreigners under existing laws, are now eligible for citizenship under the CAA.
Opposition to the CAA has been rooted in two main concerns:
- Discrimination against Muslims: Critics argue that the CAA discriminates against Muslims by excluding them from its provisions, thereby infringing upon the principles of secularism enshrined in the Constitution.
- Potential Impact on NPR and NRC: There are apprehensions about the potential implications of the CAA on the National Population Register (NPR) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Critics fear that the CAA, combined with these exercises, could lead to the marginalisation and exclusion of certain communities, particularly Muslims, from citizenship rights.
The Centre has defended the CAA on several grounds:
- Historical Obligation: Supporters of the CAA argue that India bears a historical responsibility and moral obligation to provide refuge to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
- Humanitarian Grounds: The CAA is framed as a humanitarian response to the plight of religious minorities who have endured persecution in the neighboring countries. These minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, deserve special consideration and help due to the hardships they have faced in their countries of origin.
- Protection of Religious Minorities: The primary aim of the CAA is to offer legal protection and a pathway to citizenship for religious minorities who may have entered India illegally or overstayed their visas due to fears of persecution in their home countries.
