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Current Affairs – July 20-21, 2025
{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Neolithic habitation found in Assam’s Dima Hasao
- Context (TH): Archaeologists found iron slag and a furnace at Daojali Hading, suggesting early metalworking at the site.
- Earlier archaeological surveys at Daojali Hading found many artefacts, including polished double-shouldered celts, cord-marked pottery, grinding stones, mortars, pestles, and double-edged celts.
- For the first time, archaeologists found iron slag & a furnace, suggesting early metalworking at the site.
- This means Daojali Hading was likely more than just a Neolithic site, potentially marking it as a metal age site as well.
- However, more research, including radiocarbon dating of organic remains, is needed to confirm if it was also a Metal Age site.
Daojali Hading
- Daojali Hading is a Neolithic site within the Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest of Assam.
- It is known for the following artefacts:
- Mortars and pestles: Suggest people were growing grain and preparing food.
- Jadeite stone: May have been brought from China, suggesting ancient trade links with East and Southeast Asia.
- Polished stone tools and pottery.
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{GS2 – Polity – IC} India’s Sovereignty is Non-Negotiable
- Context (PIB): Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, strongly asserted that India is a sovereign nation and no external force can dictate its internal or foreign policy decisions.
- His remarks come amid rising global narratives and pressures attempting to influence India’s autonomous decision-making. He stressed that India’s sovereignty is supreme, rooted in the Constitution.
What is Sovereignty?
- Sovereignty refers to the supreme and independent authority of a state to legislate, govern, and enforce its decisions without external interference.
- It encompasses both legal and political supremacy within a territory.
- Defined Jurisdiction: Sovereignty requires defined control over land, airspace, and maritime zones.
Aspects of Sovereignty
- Internal Sovereignty: The supreme legal authority over individuals and institutions inside the state.
- It enables full control over all individuals and institutions within state borders.
- External Sovereignty: The ability to engage in foreign affairs free from external interference.
- It ensures complete independence in foreign affairs and international decision-making.
Historical Roots of Sovereignty
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Key Attributes of Sovereignty
- Absoluteness: Sovereignty implies final and unquestionable authority within state boundaries.
- Indivisibility: Sovereignty cannot be shared among parallel or competing institutions.
- Permanence: Sovereign authority continues through constitutional or political transitions.
- Originality: Sovereignty emerges internally from the state, not conferred by others.
- Inalienability: Sovereignty cannot be legally surrendered or permanently transferred.
- Universality: Sovereignty applies to all persons, laws, and institutions under the state.
Limitations to Sovereignty
- Moral Limits: Sovereignty is checked by moral values, divine law, and natural rights.
- Constitutional Limits: Sovereignty must operate within the Constitution’s basic structure.
- International Commitments: Treaties and global legal norms constrain sovereign freedom.
- Popular Legitimacy: Sovereignty in democracies depends on ongoing public consent.
- Secession Ban: Sovereignty excludes any legal right to secede under global law.
Sovereignty in India
- Preamble declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, which signifies:
- Freedom from colonial or external control,
- Independent law-making and foreign policy,
- Power rooted in the people, expressed through elections and constitutionalism.
- India adopts constitutional supremacy, not parliamentary sovereignty like the UK.
Constitutional Provisions Supporting Sovereignty
- Article 1: Declares India a “Union of States“, affirming indivisible territorial sovereignty.
- Article 2: Authorises Parliament to admit or establish new states under sovereign control.
- Article 51: Encourages international peace but preserves India’s external sovereign discretion.
- Article 51A(c): Makes it a citizen’s duty to uphold India’s sovereignty and integrity.
- Article 53: Vests executive power in the President, centralising sovereign authority in the Union.
- Third Schedule: Requires public office-holders to affirm loyalty to India’s sovereignty via oaths.
Non-Constitutional Elements Supporting Sovereignty
- Armed Forces: Protect India’s territorial and political sovereignty from external threats.
- Foreign Policy: Reflects sovereign independence in global strategy and alliances.
- RPA Section 29A(5): Requires political parties to affirm allegiance to national sovereignty.
- National Symbols: Flags, anthems, and pledges reinforce civic allegiance to sovereign authority.
Challenges to India’s Sovereignty
- Territorial Disputes: China’s and Pakistan’s border claims pose a threat to India’s territorial sovereignty.
- Terrorism: Cross-border militancy undermines India’s internal and security sovereignty.
- Cyber Threats: Foreign surveillance and spyware compromise India’s digital sovereignty infrastructure.
- Trade Restrictions: WTO rulings constrain sovereign discretion over domestic trade policies.
- Investor Cases: Foreign tribunals bypass Indian courts, weakening legal sovereignty mechanisms.
- Policy Influence: Foreign-funded NGOs distort India’s legislative sovereignty and narrative control.
- IMF–WTO Mandates: Global institutions restrict sovereign fiscal and economic policymaking authority.
{GS2 – IR – Asia} Ethnic Cleansing in Suwayda, Syria
- Context (NDTV): Syria’s Druze community in Suwayda faces ethnic cleansing by Bedouin militias amid escalating violence after Assad’s ouster.
Druze Community
- The Druze, or Banu Ma’ruf, are an Arabic-speaking ethnoreligious group from the Levant dating back to the 11th century.
- Their theology fuses Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and Islamic esotericism into strict monotheism.
- They believe in reincarnation and al-Hakim’s divinity, and reject Islamic orthodoxy and rituals.
- Religious texts are secret, accessible only to the initiated elders known as ‘Uqqal’.
- Conversion and exogamy are forbidden; women enjoy elevated legal and social status.
- Spread: Primarily concentrated in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, & Jordan; Suwayda is their stronghold in Syria.
Suwayda, Syria
- Suwayda is a city in southern Syria near the Jordan-Israel-Syria tri-junction.
- It lies on the Hauran Plateau, shaped by the volcanic activity of Jabal al-Druze.
- The city is called “Little Venezuela” due to Latin American return migration.
- Demography: Predominantly Druze, with small minorities of Orthodox Christians and Sunni Bedouins.
- Suwayda functions as an agrarian hub producing olives, wheat, and temperate fruits.
Credit: MapsofIndia
[UPSC 2022] The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions?
a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
b) Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
c) Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
d) The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
Answer: a) Eastern Mediterranean shores
{GS3 – IE – Banking} State of Financial Inclusion in India
Context (CNBC TV18): According to the World Bank’s Global Findex 2025 report, India has achieved near-universal financial account ownership, but inactivity remains a significant issue.
Key Findings of the Report
- Account Ownership: Financial account ownership in India rose from 35% in 2011 to 89% in 2024.
- Bank vs Mobile Accounts: 88.7% are held with a bank or similar financial institution, and 23.1% of adults reported having a mobile money account.
- Inactive Accounts: 14% of adults, or 16% of account holders in India, are inactive, more than double the global average of 6%.
- Gender Parity: 89.2% of women and 89.9% of rural residents now have accounts.
- Digital Payments Gap: Only 48.5% of Indian adults received a digital payment in the past year.
- Phone Penetration: Only 66.5% own a personal mobile phone, and just 42% have a smartphone.
- Digital Transfers: Women receiving government transfers digitally rose from 13% (2021) to 24% (2024).
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Barriers to Active Account Usage
- Family-Centric Ownership: Not owning an account because another family member already has one.
- Lack of Funds: Accounts remain inactive due to insufficient income or a lack of regular transactions.
- Cost & Distance: High transaction costs and physical distance from bank branches deter active usage.
- Security Concerns: Only 38.3% of phone users have password-protected their devices, raising concerns about security and fraud.
Way Forward
- Enhance Access: Expand smartphone penetration, internet connectivity, and digital infrastructure.
- Build Trust: Promote financial literacy and strengthen cybersecurity measures.
- Design Inclusive Products: Develop low-cost, tailored tools for rural and low-income groups.
- Simplify Access: Simplify digital platforms to make financial transactions accessible, and language-friendly for all users.
{GS3 – IE – Exports} Indian Electronic Exports
- Context (TH): India’s electronics exports have soared past $40 billion, marking an eight-fold growth over the last 11 years.
Status of Indian Electronic Exports
- Strong Growth: India’s electronics exports saw a strong growth of 47%, reaching $12.41 billion (Q1 FY26) (IBEF).
- Export Destinations: The US, UAE, and China have emerged as the top three export destinations. The Netherlands and Germany are other major export destinations.
- Mobile Production: India is the second-largest mobile phone producer in the world.
- Projections: India’s electronics production will reach USD 300 billion by 2026.
Reason for Increasing Exports
- Widening Demand: India’s growing integration into the global electronics supply chain & Increasing demand from the US and Europe.
- Manufacturing Competitiveness: India’s emergence as a reliable and competitive manufacturing hub in Asia.
- Skilled Workforce & Diversity: Perform well globally due to skilled workers, diverse product lines, and a growing reputation for quality and timely deliveries.
- Domestic Production: Expansion of production under PLI schemes and improved industrial capacity. E.g., Domestic electronics production has increased by six times.
Challenges
- Overdependence on USA: A Heavy reliance on the USA (60.17%) poses geopolitical and demand risk.
- Supply-Side Constraints: The lack of raw material availability, such as rare earths, and high capital costs pose significant barriers.
- Skill Issue: No sector-specific skilling programme specifically in the electronics sector.
- Limited Value Addition: Export growth remains skewed towards assembly and low-value tasks in electronics sector.
- Global Uncertainty: Fluctuation in global demand, rising protectionism and supply chain issues.
Way Forward
- Diversify Destinations: Strengthen ties with trusted partners like Japan, South Korea, and the EU to diversify supply chains.
- Semiconductor Fabs: Accelerate the establishment of semiconductor foundries through public-private partnerships (PPP).
- Bilateral Agreements: Negotiate technology-sharing agreements with allies such as the US and Japan to access advanced manufacturing expertise.
- Regional Leadership: Champion resilient electronics supply chain in the Indo-Pacific through initiatives like the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI), enhancing India’s strategic influence.
{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} Cloud Seeding Trials in Delhi
- Context (TH): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has approved cloud seeding trials to address air pollution in Delhi.
Cloud Seeding
- Cloud seeding is an artificial weather modification method used to induce rainfall from existing clouds.
- It uses chemicals like silver iodide or sodium chloride to promote condensation and raindrop formation.
- Weather Suitability: It requires tall, moist clouds and low wind conditions to operate effectively.
- Pollution Removal: Artificial rain reduces particulate matter by washing pollutants out of the air.
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Read More > Cloud Seeding
Delhi Air Pollution
- Delhi records alarmingly high pollution levels each year; in early 2025, it was ranked as India’s second most polluted city.
- Delhi records alarmingly high pollution levels each year and was ranked India’s 2nd most polluted city in early 2025, as per a mid-year assessment by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
Major Causes of Delhi’s Air Pollution
- Vehicle Emissions: Diesel-heavy transport makes up about 40% of winter PM2.5 in Delhi.
- Industrial Output: NCR Industries emits sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter.
- Construction Dust: Ongoing construction and demolition increase PM10 and coarse dust levels.
- Waste Burning: Burning plastic and garbage worsens local air quality in many areas.
- Stubble Burning: Crop residue fires in neighbouring states increase pollution in late autumn.
- Weather Inversion: Winter inversions trap pollutants close to the ground, reducing dispersion.
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{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Banni Grassland
- Context (TH): Banni Grassland in Gujarat is now fully prepared for cheetah reintroduction, with established breeding and quarantine enclosures.
- Spotted deer have also been reintroduced to increase the prey base & restore ecological balance.
Banni Grassland
- Banni Grassland, located in Kutch, Gujarat, spans 2,600 sq. km, making it Asia’s largest tropical savanna.
- Formation: The grassland was formed through sediments deposited by the Indus River and tectonic shifts following the 1819 earthquake.
- Dual Ecosystem: Banni consists of the Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Chhari Dhand Wetland, supporting a dual ecosystem of wetlands and grasslands.
- Protection Status: Banni was designated a Reserve Forest in 1955, with its boundaries demarcated by the NGT in 2019 to limit anthropogenic interference.
- Flora: The flora of Banni consists primarily of salt-tolerant species, including Prosopis juliflora, Cressa cretica, and Cyperus spp.
- Fauna: Banni supports a range of fauna, including Nilgai, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Indian Wolf, etc.
- The Maldhari, Jat, and Fakirani Jat communities inhabit Banni, renowned for livestock husbandry.
- Threats: Overgrazing, invasive Prosopis juliflora, water scarcity, & desertification degrade Banni’s ecological balance.
Why Banni is Suitable for Cheetah Reintroduction
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{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Mitochondrial Donation Treatment
- Context (Livemint): At least eight babies have been born in the United Kingdom (UK) using Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT) to prevent the inheritance of mitochondrial diseases.
- MDT, also known as Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy, is an advanced fertility technique aimed at preventing the transmission of mitochondrial genetic disorders from mother to child.
- It is considered a three-parent baby technique, as it includes genetic material from the biological mother (nuclear DNA), the father (nuclear DNA), and a donor (healthy mitochondrial DNA).
- The United Kingdom became the first country to formally regulate and approve MRT in 2015, followed by Australia in 2021.
Read More> Mitochondrial donation therapy
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How It Works?
- The faulty mitochondria in the mother’s egg are replaced with healthy mitochondria from a donor.
- The resulting embryo has 99.8% DNA from the biological parents and 0.1–0.2% mitochondrial DNA from the donor.
- This helps prevent serious and often fatal disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, such as Muscular dystrophy, Heart, liver, and brain disorders.
Key Techniques Under MDT
Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST)
- It is performed before fertilization and involves transferring the meiotic spindle apparatus, containing the mother’s chromosomes, into a donor egg that has had its own spindle removed.
- The reconstructed egg is then fertilized with the father’s sperm, and the embryo is implanted into the mother’s uterus.
Pronuclear Transfer (PNT)
- It is carried out after fertilization.
- The pronuclei (containing nuclear DNA from the mother and father) are removed from a fertilized egg with defective mitochondria and inserted into a donor zygote that has healthy mitochondria and has had its own pronuclei removed.
Mitochondrial Disease
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{GS3 – S&T – Space} ISRO’s Gains and Concerns from Axiom-4
- Context (TH): ISRO’s investment of over ₹500 crore in the Axiom-ISS mission provided crucial training for Gaganyaan preparations.
- The mission succeeded in delivering essential training but highlighted gaps in ISRO’s piecemeal communication efforts.
ISRO’s Gains from Axiom-4 Mission
- Cost Efficiency: ₹500 crore investment outperformed domestic training infrastructure costs.
- Operational Expertise: Astronaut gained skills in manual operations and anomaly management.
- Scientific Validation: Seven ISS microgravity experiments bolstered Gaganyaan payload development.
- Control Expertise: ISRO enhanced crew-ground coordination and anomaly response capabilities.
- Safety Oversight: ISRO’s pre-launch audit detected Falcon-9 oxidiser leak effectively.
- Training Standards: NASA’s protocols refined ISRO’s Gaganyaan astronaut preparation framework.
Concerns for ISRO
- Cost Concerns: ₹500 crore spending considered excessive for training & data outcomes obtained.
- Delayed Disclosure: ISRO’s late objective revelation caused confusion among the stakeholders.
- Outreach Lag: Slow updates compared to NASA exposed gaps in mission communication.
- Symbolic Shortfall: Mission failed to evoke national pride and public inspiration for Gaganyaan.
{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Glass Grid Rapid Technology
- Context (TH): The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has tested Glass Grid Rapid Technology, developed by IIT Madras, on the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway to prevent cracks.
Credit: The Hindu
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Benefits of Glass Grid Technology
- Crack Inhibition: Reinforces base layers, preventing and controlling crack spread from heavy loads and temperature shifts.
- Enhanced Safety: Minimises road deformities, improving vehicle control and reducing accident risks.
- Improved Durability: Chemical- and abrasion-resistant; can last up to 3 times longer than traditional pavements.
- Cost Savings: Cuts maintenance costs and labour due to fewer repairs.
- Wide Applicability: Suitable for highways, parking lots, airport runways, and other paved surfaces.
Challenges of Glass Grid Technology
- High Initial Cost: More expensive than conventional methods, limiting its use in cost-sensitive projects.
- Skill Deficit: Proper installation needs trained professionals, which are limited in remote regions.
- Performance Uncertainty: Insufficient reliable data from varied Indian climates for large-scale adoption.
- Standardisation Gap: Absence of specific BIS/IRC standards delays approvals and mass deployment.
{GS3 – IS – Initiatives} NDRF to Deploy First Cadaver Dog Unit
- Context (TH): The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will soon deploy its first-ever cadaver dog unit, trained to locate and recover human remains during post-disaster operations.
- This move marks a strategic shift from only life-saving operations to also providing closure for families by aiding in the identification and recovery of deceased individuals.
Key Highlights
- Training Locations: Cadaver dogs are being trained at NDRF bases in Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu) & Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh).
- Dog Breeds: Belgian Malinois and Labradors trained using synthetic scents to avoid ethical/logistical issues of real remains.
- Operational Gap: Body recovery was not earlier prioritised despite frequent deployment in disasters; this fills a crucial gap.
Challenges Ahead
- Training Complexity: Reliance on simulated odour, lack of SOPs, and higher sensitivity needs make training demanding.
- Environmental Sensitivity: Detection depends on weather, humidity, terrain, and competing odours.
- Ethical Issues: Access to real human remains for training poses legal and ethical dilemmas.
- Evaluation Metrics: The success rate will be clear only after deployment, necessitating a future review.
{GS4 – Ethics in Governance} Wildlife Trafficking and Animal Cruelty
- Context (TOI): Recent reports from China reveal disturbing patterns of wildlife commodification, where drugged lion cubs and trained red pandas are used for entertainment.
- This reflects a deeper global crisis driven by lax regulation, rising vanity demand, and transnational criminal networks, highlighting a growing ethical vacuum in governance and societal empathy.
Key Issues
- Entertainment Props: In China, drugged lion cubs were offered for tourist cuddles, and red pandas were trained to crawl into hotel beds, normalising wildlife exploitation.
- This growing abuse reveals two disturbing patterns:
- Systemic Animal Cruelty: Wild animals are drugged, declawed, defanged, or otherwise mutilated to render them safe for human interaction.
- Vanity-Driven Exploitation: Social media culture has significantly amplified this demand. Animal interaction content frequently earns likes, followers, & money, which encourages unethical practices.
Global Implications
- Biodiversity Loss: Trafficking contributes to the endangerment of numerous species, thereby undermining the objectives of CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Public Health Risk: Close human-wildlife interaction increases the risk of zoonotic diseases, as seen in the suspected origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in wildlife markets.
- Wildlife Trafficking Nexus: Latin American drug cartels and organised crime syndicates have developed illegal wildlife networks, supplying exotic species to meet high-end Asian demand, particularly in China.
Ethical Issues Involved
- Violation of Animal Rights: Animals, as sentient beings, have intrinsic rights to live with dignity and without suffering.
- Drugging, mutilating (declawing, defanging), and using them for vanity-driven entertainment violates their bodily autonomy and well-being.
- Spectacle Culture: Performative cruelty online creates perverse incentives, as algorithms rewarding sensationalism promote unethical content, desensitising audiences and reinforcing a culture of spectacle.
- Ethical Governance: The lack of animal protection laws in some countries (E.g., China) creates an ethical governance vacuum.
- It reflects a failure of state duty in upholding basic moral responsibilities toward non-human beings.
Way Forward
- Global Coalition: Push for an UN-led convention on ending animal commodification and enforcing ethical treatment.
- Ethical Consumption: Campaigns must challenge the normalisation of wildlife commodification in tourism, medicine, and luxury culture.
- Sustainable Livelihood: Engage communities involved in poaching or trafficking with sustainable, incentivised alternatives.
- Social Media Accountability: Algorithms promoting animal abuse content must be regulated. Collaborate with platforms like Meta and TikTok to proactively flag and remove such content.
{Prelims – In News} One District, One Cuisine
- Context (IE | IE): Uttar Pradesh proposed the One District, One Cuisine initiative following the success of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
- The idea gained momentum after Lucknow became a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Creative City of Gastronomy
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One District, One Cuisine
- One District, One Cuisine is an initiative proposed by Uttar Pradesh to promote its culinary heritage by highlighting a unique traditional dish from each district.
- Inspired by the ODOP model, it links heritage preservation with decentralised economic development.
- Primary Objective: The initiative aims to catalyse gastronomic tourism across the state.
- Implementation: Promotion will involve food festivals, social media, and tie-ups with eateries.
Benefits of the Scheme
- Tourism Development: It will boost culinary tourism and support the hospitality sector.
- Cultural Conservation: Reviving traditional recipes helps protect intangible culinary heritage.
- District Branding: Unique cuisines enhance regional identity and attract external attention.
- Market integration: Linking rural food producers to formal markets boosts livelihood opportunities.
{Prelims – In News} PM Professorship Scheme
- Context (TH): The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched the Prime Minister Professorships to strengthen research in the State universities.
- Objective: It aims to harness the expertise of retired scientists, industry leaders, and Professors of Practice to improve research ecosystems in less-endowed state universities.
Key Features of the PM Professorships Initiative
- Fellowship and Grant: It offers a personal fellowship of ₹30 lakh per year, along with ₹24 lakh for research expenses.
- Institutional Overhead: Host universities will receive ₹1 lakh annually to support infrastructure and hosting arrangements.
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Eligibility:
- The fellowship is available to international scientists, including NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs.
- Professionals from the industry and experienced Professors of Practice with notable research records are also eligible.
- Applicants must be retired; there is no age restriction.
- Fellows must be affiliated with Category A spoke institutions under ANRF’s PAIR Programme.
- Tenure: The fellowship is granted for up to five years, subject to annual review.
- Full-Time Commitment: Fellows cannot receive other salaries, fellowships, or honoraria during tenure.
- Internship: Fellows must arrange six-month internships for scholars at established institutions.
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Read More > India’s R&D
{Prelims – In News} Akash Prime Air Defence System
- Context (PIB): India successfully tested an indigenously designed & developed Akash Prime Weapon System.
- Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash system. It represents the evolution of India’s indigenous surface-to-air missile (SAM) technology.
- Unlike ballistic missiles, SAMs are designed to intercept and destroy incoming aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones.
System Capabilities
- Range: Up to 40 kilometres. They are effective at high altitudes & low temperatures.
- Guidance: Active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for enhanced accuracy.
- Targets: Fighter jets, cruise missiles, drones, and air-to-surface missiles. The system can track multiple targets simultaneously and engage them with high precision.
- Platform: Mobile launcher systems for rapid deployment.
Akash Air Defence System
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