Current Context  : DRDO and IAF conducted a successful flight test of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM)from a Su‑30 MKI off Odisha. About BVRAAM : Type: BVRAAM – fires beyond visual range (>100 km) . Seeker: Indigenous RF seeker from DRDO allows precise target tracking. Range & Performance: Over 100 km, with advanced guidance; hit targets at different angles/ranges with pinpoint accuracy. Production: Developed by DRDO labs and 50+ public/private industries, including HAL. Strategic Impact: Strengthens India’s air defence and helps build domestic defense tech.Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT: Japanese Coast Guard Ship Itsukushima docked at Chennai Port on 7 July, concluding with the “Jaa Mata” sea‑exercise on 12 July, marking enhanced India–Japan maritime cooperation.  ABOUT JAA MATA EXERCISE: Code name: “See you later” (Japanese). Participants: India Coast Guard (ICG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG). Activities: Joint sea drills, ship visits, professional and cultural exchanges, sports & yoga sessions. Four ICG officers as “Sea Riders” on Itsukushima to Singapore.Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently launched Operation MED MAX (2025) to crack down on a global pharmaceutical drug trafficking syndicate that was using digital platforms and cryptocurrency.  ABOUT OPERATION MED MAX Launched by: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India Objective: To dismantle a transnational syndicate smuggling controlled medicines Scale: Operation spanned across 4 continents and 10+ countries (USA, Australia, UAE, etc.) Trigger: Seizure of 3.7 kg Tramadol tablets from two B.Pharm graduates in Delhi (May 2025) Techniques Used by Syndicate: Encrypted platforms (Telegram, dark web) Drop shipping model Payments via cryptocurrency, PayPal, Western Union A full-scale call centre....Read More

Current Context: NCB recently busted “Ketamelon”, one of India’s largest darknet narcotics rings in Kochi. About Operation Melon Seizures: 1,127 LSD blots, 131 g Ketamine, ₹70 lakh in USDT Tools seized: TAILS OS (for darknet access), crypto wallets Significance: Highlights growing darknet drug smuggling and the use of cryptocurrency as payment.Read More

Current Context : New Delhi hosted the inaugural Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance, endorsing India’s Environment Minister as its President.  About International Big Cat Alliance Launched on April 2023 on 50th anniversary of India’s Project Tiger. Membership: 95 big‑cat range and interested countries; founding 16 include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kenya, Nepal, and South American nations. Mandate: Share best practices in conservation of seven big cats (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, puma). Strengthen habitat protection, anti‑poaching efforts, and community engagement. Governance: Biennial Assembly as decision‑making body; rotating Presidency; Secretariat hosted by India.  Read More

Current Context : The Indian Army participated in Exercise Shakti VII at Camp Larzac, France, as part of the biennial India–France defence cooperation. ABOUT EXERCISE SHAKTI Type: Joint field training exercise focusing on counter‑terrorism and high‑altitude operations. Location: Camp Larzac plateau, southern France. Participants: ~ 300 troops each from Indian Army and French Army. Key Drills: Mountain warfare, joint patrolling, humanitarian assistance, and evacuation (HAAE) operations. Cross‑training in tactics, communications, and live‑fire drills.Read More

Current Context : On 18 June 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs commenced Operation Sindhu, successfully airlifting the first batch of 110 Indian nationals (students) from conflict‑affected regions of Iran via Armenia to New Delhi.  ABOUT OPERATION SINDHU Objective: Evacuate Indian citizens stranded amid Iran–Israel hostilities. Mechanism: Coordination through Indian embassies in Tehran and Yerevan. Land transport to Yerevan; special Air India flight to New Delhi. Scope: Primarily students and medical professionals in Iran’s major cities (Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz).Read More

Current Context : The Defence Cyber Agency of India launched the Cyber Suraksha exercise under the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters, involving over 100 participants from national security agencies and defence services. About Cyber Suraksha Duration & Organisers: 16–27 June 2025; led by the Defence Cyber Agency (DCA) under Integrated Defence Staff. Participants: >100 cyber warriors from Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security Agency, CERT‑In, and other agencies. Phases: Training Modules: Hands‑on workshops on threat intelligence, malware analysis, and incident response. Simulated Attacks: Live exercises replicating phishing, ransomware, and supply‑chain breaches. Leadership Capsule: Senior‐level war‑games to test decision‑making and inter‑agency....Read More

Current Context : A successful trial of Rudrastra, India’s indigenous hybrid VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle, took place at Pokhran ranges in June 2025, demonstrating advanced surveillance and strike capabilities. ABOUT RUDRASTRA Manufacturer: Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited under Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Type: Hybrid Vertical Take‑Off and Landing unmanned aerial vehicle. Key Features: Range: 170 km (including loiter time). Endurance: 1.5 Payload: Precision‑guided anti‑personnel warheads with mid‑altitude release. Surveillance: Live video relay and automated return‑to‑base.Read More

Current Context : 40-member Indian Army contingent arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to participate in the 22nd Exercise Khaan Quest (14–28 June 2025), a multinational peacekeeping drill under UN Chapter VII. About exercise Khaan Quest Nature: Multinational United Nations peacekeeping exercise. History: Began as a US–Mongolia bilateral drill in 2003; expanded to multinational in 2006. Indian Contingent: 40 personnel (primarily Kumaon Regiment), including 1 woman officer and 2 women soldiers.Read More