National Investigation Agency (NIA)
NIA
- Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency of India.
- Created after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
- National Investigation Agency Act 2008.
- Functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Headquarters of NIA in Delhi.
- 8 branches in Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur, and Jammu.
Mandate of NIA:
- Investigate all offences - affecting sovereignty, security & integrity of India.
- Friendly relations with foreign states.
- Attack on Atomic & nuclear facilities, Smuggling of arms, Drugs & fake Indian currency & Infiltration from across the borders etc.
Jurisdiction of NIA:
- Extends to the whole of India and applies to Indian citizens outside the country.
- Applies to persons in the service of the government wherever they are posted.
- Applies to persons on ships and aircraft registered in India.
- Applies to persons committing a scheduled offence beyond India against the Indian citizen or affecting the interest of India.
Scheduled Offences:
- Explosive Substances Act.
- Atomic Energy Act.
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
- Anti-Hijacking Act.
- SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act.
- Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act.
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, etc.
NIA Amendment Act-2019:
- Increased mandate of the agency.
- Included new offences like Human trafficking, Counterfeit currency, Sale or manufacture of prohibited arms, Cyber terrorism.
- Empowered governments to designate session courts as special courts to conduct trials of scheduled offences.
Practice Question – Prelims
Consider the following statements about National Investigation Agency:
1. NIA was created in the aftermath of the Parliament attack of 2001.
2. Only the central government can refer the case to NIA.
3. The director-general of NIA is appointed by the President.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None
Akash-NG (New Generation)
Akash-NG (New Generation)
- Medium-range – 70 Kms.
- Surface to Air Missile.
- Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics.
- Successor to the Akash and Akash-1S series.
Features:
-
Canisterized launcher
- It makes the Akash-NG easily deployable.
- Improved reaction time.
- Deployment time less than 20 mins.
-
Dual-pulse solid rocket motor
- Lighter than air-breathing ramjet engine.
- Less weight.
-
AESA Multifunction targeting radar
- Increases effectiveness against targets with low radar cross-section.
Practice Question – Prelims
Consider the following missiles:
1. Trishul
2. Akash
3. Astra
4. Barak
5. Helina
How many of the below-mentioned missiles are Surface to Air Missiles?
(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All five
Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link
Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link
- Total length – 22 Km.
- Sea Link (16.5 Km) + Land Bridge (5.5 Km).
- Connects Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Raigad district.
- Funding – JICA + (Central and State Gov)
Benefits:
- Reduces travel time between Sewri and Chirle from 61 minutes to less than 16 minutes. (MMRDA & JICA)
- Improves connectivity to Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai Pune Expressway, Mumbai-Goa Highway, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
- Develops Panvel, Alibaug, Pune, and Goa due to the integration of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
Concerns:
- High toll rate - Rs 250 for a one-way crossing.
- Absence of announced public transport facilities, such as dedicated buses.
- Common commuters will find the bridge unattractive.
Practice Question – Prelims
Consider the following pairs:
1. Atal Tunnel - Himachal Pradesh
2. Bogibeel Bridge - Assam
3. Dhola–Sadiya Bridge - Arunachal Pradesh
4. Chenab Bridge - Jammu & Kashmir
How many of the below-mentioned pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
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