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. (150 words, 10 marks)
Based on 19 evaluated answers to this question on CollectorBabu: here is what aspirants most often missed, the mistakes that cost marks, and a model answer.
What most aspirants missed
- Physical measures such as border fencing upgrades with sensors and CIBMS deployment, which were rarely mentioned
- Specific counter-drone technology like DRDO's Indrajaal anti-drone system, jammers and directed-energy or laser systems used by BSF
- Legal framework: Drone Rules, 2021, Digital Sky platform, no-drone zones near borders and the National Counter Rogue Drone Guidelines, 2019
- Inter-agency coordination such as BSF-Police-Intelligence joint grids and NTRO-BSF operations, as in Punjab
- International cooperation, including intelligence sharing with neighbours and technology collaboration
- Concrete incident such as the 2021 Jammu air base drone attack to show the threat's escalation
Common mistakes
- Listing measures without assessing how effective they are, when the directive asks for comment
- Describing the threat in general terms without citing specific incidents like the Jammu air base attack or Punjab drone drops
- Mentioning acronyms and programmes without explanation, such as CIBMS or Indrajaal
- Leaving out the legal and policy dimension and the international cooperation angle
- Ending with a vague conclusion instead of a future strategy for UAV threats
What the better answers did
- Grouping measures under technology, legal and policy, and coordination headings with a clear link to the threat
- Citing concrete examples such as the Jammu air base attack (2021), BSF drone interceptions and the Punjab joint grid
- Naming specific systems and frameworks with their function explained, such as Drone Rules, 2021 and Digital Sky
- Including a brief assessment of gaps, such as detecting low-flying drones, to address the 'comment' directive
Introduction
Open by linking the cheap, hard-to-intercept nature of drones to the Jammu air base attack and border drops, so the threat is concrete from the first line.
Conclusion
End with a forward-looking strategy that combines counter-drone technology, legal enforcement and real-time inter-agency and international intelligence sharing.
Model answer
Cheap, small UAVs let adversaries drop arms, explosives and narcotics across the Punjab and Jammu borders, and the 2021 attack on the Jammu air base showed the threat can reach military installations. India's response combines technology, law and coordination.
Technological measures
- DRDO's anti-drone system (Indrajaal) and counter-drone guns, jammers and spoofing tools used by BSF and the Army to neutralise drones
- RF-based and radar detection, AI-based detection and BSF's specialised drone detection units on the western border
- Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) sensors and smart fencing with integrated command and control centres
Legal and policy measures
- Drone Rules, 2021 and the Digital Sky platform to register drones and enforce geo-fencing and no-drone zones near borders
- National Counter Rogue Drone Guidelines, 2019 for standard response procedures
Coordination
- Joint BSF-Police-Intelligence grid, as in Punjab, and intelligence sharing between BSF, Army and NTRO
- Bilateral and multilateral cooperation for intelligence exchange and counter-drone technology
These measures have improved detection, but their effectiveness depends on tackling low-flying, cheap drones and integrating agency data in real time. A layered, technology-led and intelligence-driven strategy, backed by strict legal enforcement, is needed.
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