17 June 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Defence Cyber Agency begins exercise to bolster cyber resilience at national level

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 17, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 3 (Security – Cyber Security)

Context

Cyber threats targeting national and critical infrastructure are on the rise—necessitating enhanced preparedness and resilience.

Content

Overview

• Launch of Cyber Suraksha, a multi-phase national-level cyber security drill led by the Defence Cyber Agency, under Integrated Defence Staff, from 16–27 June 2025.

• Over 100 participants across defence and government agencies.

Key Components

• Training & Evaluation: Simulated real-world threat scenarios, gamified to assess response speed and accuracy.

• Leadership Capsule: CISO conclave with eminent speakers, culminating in a tabletop exercise.

• Skill Enhancement: Hands-on challenges to build defensive cyber capabilities.

Strategic Significance

• Aimed at fostering a “security-first” culture across organisations.

• Exercise to be held on a regular basis to maintain preparedness.

Way Forward

Institutionalising such exercises will strengthen national cyber defence architecture, improve inter-agency coordination, and embed best practices across the board.

Practice Question: Critically analyse the significance of large-scale cyber security exercises like “Cyber Suraksha” in India’s cyber defence strategy. What challenges remain in institutionalising such efforts?

2. DRDO, IIT Delhi Demonstrate 1 km Quantum Secure Communication Using Entanglement

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 17, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 3 (S&T – Emerging Technologies)

Context

Quantum communication, particularly Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), offers unbreakable encryption—a paradigm shift for secure defence, financial, and telecom systems.

Content

Overview

• Successfully demonstrated free-space entanglement-based QKD over >1 km at IIT Delhi campus. 

Technical Highlights

• Achieved ~240 bits/s key rate, with a quantum bit error rate <7%. 

• Entanglement-based approach secures keys even if devices are compromised—intrusion is detectable by disturbance in entangled photons.

Implications

• Opens avenues for real-time quantum cyber security, long-distance QKD, quantum networks, and a future quantum internet.

• Free-space QKD bypasses deployment challenges of fibre in difficult terrain or urban settings.

Project Background

• Under DRDO’s DFTM, as part of DIA‑CoE initiative. Similar achievements: Vindhyachal–Prayagraj link (2022) and 100 km fibre entanglement (2024).

Leadership Comments

• Raksha Mantri termed it “a game changer in future warfare.”

Way Forward

India is fast-tracking quantum secure communications. Focus ahead: scaling distance, improving bit rates, integrating with national security networks, and developing a quantum internet ecosystem.

Practice Question: Evaluate India’s progress in quantum communication technologies. Assess the implications of entanglement-based QKD for national security and civilian infrastructure.

3. MoTA Launches Mega Tribal Outreach Drive – DhartiAaba Abhiyan

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 17, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 2 (Governance – Welfare Schemes / GS Paper 1 (Social Inclusion))

Context

India’s tribal communities often face barriers in accessing welfare services. “Last-mile” delivery remains a challenge in governance.

Content

Overview

• Launch of DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan from 15–30 June 2025, covering 549 tribal-dominated districts, 207 PVTG areas, and around 100,000 villages. 

Objectives

• Ensure saturation of welfare benefits to tribal households: Aadhaar updates, Ayushman cards, Jan Dhan accounts, PM‑Kisan, pensions, scholarships, insurance, skill training, and livelihoods.

Implementation Model

• Participatory camp-based approach involving district administrations, PRIs, tribal leaders. Over 125 district magistrates engaged in pre-campaign mobilization. 

• Launched under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, aligned with PM‑JANMAN and DAJGUA.

Significance

• Demonstrates convergence-based, inclusive governance.

• Aims at dignity, self‑respect, and empowerment for tribal populations.

Way Forward

Success depends on effective coordination, awareness, and monitoring. Post-campaign follow-up must ensure enrolment continuity, grievance redressal, and assess impact for scale-up.

Practice Question: Examine the strengths and challenges of the DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan in tribal welfare. Suggest measures for enhancing its effectiveness and sustainability.

Check this out 17 June 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC