Counter-Terrorism Measures and Technology in Policing
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Terrorism is a persistent internal security threat. UPSC examines the strategies, challenges, and technological advancements in India's counter-terrorism efforts, and their implications for governance and civil liberties (GS3, GS2).
Counter-terrorism measures involve a range of strategies, policies, and actions taken by governments and security agencies to prevent, deter, and respond to acts of terrorism, increasingly integrating advanced technologies for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and operational efficiency.
Facts & tables
- Key Strategies
- Intelligence gathering, proactive operations, area domination, dismantling terror networks.
- Technological Tools
- Advanced surveillance systems, facial recognition, real-time monitoring, anti-sabotage equipment.
- Objective
- Enhance security, prevent attacks, ensure public safety, especially during vulnerable events.
- Challenges
- Balancing security with privacy, adapting to evolving threats, resource allocation.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Internal Security |
| Conceptual area | Cyber Security |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| J&K Police | Implements |
| Central Armed Police Forces | Implements |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Strategies: intelligence, proactive operations, area domination.
- Tech tools: surveillance, facial recognition, real-time monitoring.
- Aim: prevent terror attacks, secure vulnerable events.
- Involves coordination between central and state forces.
- Raises concerns about privacy and civil liberties.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2019 | Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2018 | Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Policy measures |
Timeline
-
Internal Security
Conceptual area
-
Cyber Security
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2018
Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2019
Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2022
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
89 additional CAPF units, advanced surveillance, real-time monitoring for safe Amarnath yatra this year
Counter-terrorism involves proactive strategies, intelligence, and increasingly, advanced technologies like surveillance and real-time monitoring to prevent attacks and secure public spaces, posing challenges for balancing security and privacy.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2017–2022 · 7 questions
In the news
89 additional CAPF units, advanced surveillance, real-time monitoring for safe Amarnath yatra this year
Counter-terrorism involves proactive strategies, intelligence, and increasingly, advanced technologies like surveillance and real-time monitoring to prevent attacks and secure public spaces, posing challenges for balancing security and privacy.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following communication technologies:
1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network
Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies?
Out of the listed communication technologies, all three can be considered short-range devices/technologies. Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV): CCTV systems primarily use cables or wireless connections with a limited range, typically within a building or a designated area. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): RFID uses radio waves to identify objects. The reading range of RFID tags depends on the specific technology but generally falls within the short-range category, from a few centimetres to a few meters. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): WLANs, commonly known as Wi-Fi networks, typically operate within a range of tens of meters indoors and up to hundreds of meters outdoors depending on factors like signal strength and frequency band. While the range might be slightly larger than the others on this list, WLANs still fall under the short-range classification compared to technologies like cellular networks or satellite communication.
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017?
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. Instead, it is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying innovative digital technology solutions to solve real-world challenges across various sectors. Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India launched the Smart India Hackathon to encourage students and professionals to develop innovative digital solutions for challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, and other domains. It serves as a platform for young minds to engage in problem-solving and contribute to technological advancements. Statement 3 is incorrect: While the hackathon focuses on digital technology innovations, it is not specifically centered on digital financial transactions. Instead, it covers a wide range of sectors where technology can drive efficiency and innovation. Hence, correct answer is option (B).
In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used?
1. Mobile phone operations
2. Banking operations
3. Controlling the power grids
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth. It has a wide range of applications. Statement 1 is correct. GPS is used in mobile phones for various purposes such as location tracking, navigation, and location-based services. Statement 2 is correct. GPS is used in banking operations for ATM location services and for time-stamping transactions, which is crucial for maintaining accurate records. Statement 3 is correct. GPS is used for time-stamping power system measurements, which is vital for grid stability and synchronization. Therefore, GPS technology can be used in all the three areas mentioned.
Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India?
1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our school, public places and major tourist centres
Select the correct answer using the code given below
* Statement 1 is not correct: The formation of India’s own internet companies, similar to China’s approach, is not an aim of the Digital India programme. The initiative focuses on creating digital infrastructure, providing digital services, and promoting digital literacy — not establishing government-backed internet firms. * Statement 2 is not correct: The Digital India plan does not include any policy framework to attract foreign multinational corporations to build data centres in India. While data localisation and data centre policies have emerged later under different frameworks, they are not part of the original Digital India objectives. * Statement 3 is correct: One of the key aims of Digital India is to connect villages through broadband and to provide Wi-Fi access in schools, public places, and tourist centres. This is part of its core pillars like Broadband Highways, Public Internet Access Programme, and Early Harvest Programmes.
With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements :
1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data.
2. In Web 3-0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.
3. Web 3-0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. A key aspect of Web 3.0 is the concept of decentralization, where users have more control and ownership over their personal data, rather than having it stored and controlled by centralized platforms. Statement 2 is correct. Blockchain technology is a core component of Web 3.0, and it can enable the creation of decentralized, user-owned social networks and platforms. Statement 3 is correct. The decentralized nature of Web 3.0 means that it is not controlled by a single corporation or entity, but rather operated and maintained collectively by the users and participants in the network. Therefore, all three statements regarding Web 3.0 are correct.
Show 3 more PYQs
With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?
1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.
2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is incorrect: LTE is actually marketed as 4G, not 3G. VoLTE is not marketed as advanced 3G, but rather as an advancement over 4G LTE, allowing for voice calls over the 4G network. Statement 2 is incorrect: LTE does primarily focus on providing high-speed data services, but it's not a data-only technology. VoLTE, on the other hand, is not a voice-only technology. It allows for voice calls to be made over the 4G LTE network, but it doesn't exclude data services. Therefore, both statements are incorrect.
In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents?
1. Service providers
2. Data centres
3. Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
In India, section 70-B of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (the IT Act) gives the Central Government the power to appoint an agency of the government to be called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team. Further, it is legally mandatory for service providers, data centres and body corporates to report on cybersecurity incidents as outlined in the Information Technology (The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) Rules, 2013, which were notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day's weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to the office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a- message to your office accordingly.
In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following term best applies to the above scenario?
The scenario described involves various devices (smartphone, geyser, smart mirror, refrigerator, car, etc.) communicating with each other and with the user, and automatically performing tasks based on certain triggers. This is characteristic of the Internet of Things (IoT). Option B is correct: Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. Option A is incorrect: Border Gateway Protocol is a protocol used to exchange routing information across the internet and is not relevant to the scenario described. Option C is incorrect: Internet Protocol is a set of rules for sending and receiving messages at the Internet address level, but it doesn't cover the broad range of device intercommunication described in the scenario. Option D is incorrect: A Virtual Private Network is a technology for using the internet or another intermediate network to connect computers to isolated remote computer networks that would otherwise be inaccessible, which also doesn't fit the scenario.