General Awareness

DEFENCE - October 2023

Oct 2023

Jan 03, 2024

INS Guldar to be Decommissioned

On December 30, 2023, the Kumbhir-class tank landing ship INS Guldar celebrated its 38th and final anniversary before being decommissioned in January 2024.
This was a bittersweet milestone proclaimed by the Andaman & Nicobar Command. Guldar was put into service in 1985 in the Gdańsk Shipyard in Poland, and throughout the course of several decades of devoted duty, it has left a lasting legacy of bravery and humanitarian assistance.
It played a significant role in Operation Leech in 1987, which successfully cut off the LTTE's maritime routes and hindered their activities.
Throughout its remarkable history, Guldar has taken part in a great deal of drills and operations, contributing significantly to the strengthening of India's coastal defence capabilities.

INS Vikrant Gets New Captain

In a spectacular ceremony performed on board INS Vikrant, Captain Vidhyadhar Harke, VSM, who had the honour of leading the powerful vessel from his first trip to operational readiness, gave up command to Captain Birendra S. Bains, VSM.
Sailors in divisions stood obediently in formation, the spirit of the Navy evident in their immaculate uniforms and steadfast focus. Captain Harke, adorned with his illustrious service awards, addressed the crew for the final time.
The ceremony for the change of leadership represented more than just a legal handover of power; it was also a symbolic passing of the torch, representing the everlasting commitment and spirit that had guided the Vikrant's voyage.
The carrier will continue to improve under Captain Bains' direction, incorporate cutting-edge technology, and be prepared to protect India's maritime interests.

Jan 02, 2024

Vice Admiral V. Srinivas Takes over as Chief of Southern Naval Command

Vice Admiral V. Srinivas took charge as the 30th Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOCINC) of the Southern Naval Command in a ceremonial parade at the naval base.
He succeeded Vice Admiral M. A. Hampiholi, who retired after a distinguished four-decade career in the Indian Navy.
A graduate of Defence Services Staff college and Naval War college, Vice Admiral Srinivas is an expert in nuclear safety and has operational experience in Operations Pawan, Vijay, and Parakram. His past roles include Flag Officer Submarines, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area, and Inspector General Nuclear Safety. Recognising his contributions, he was awarded the Nau Sena Medal (NM) in 2009 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2021.

Jan 01, 2024

Paramilitary Forces Embrace 'Sandes App' for Secure Official Commute

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering data security and prioritising indigenous technology, paramilitary forces transitioned to the 'Sandes App' for all official communication and document sharing in the new year January 2024. This shift underscores the growing importance of safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring secure messaging platforms within security organisations.
The decision to adopt the 'Sandes App' stems from the prevalent use of WhatsApp for internal communication within paramilitary forces. While WhatsApp has been a popular choice, the paramount emphasis on data safety necessitated a transition to a platform designed and developed in India. The 'Sandes App,' developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), emerges as a robust alternative.
The 'Sandes' application is an open source-based indigenous instant messaging platform tailored to meet the stringent security requirements of government organizations. Its key features include:
End-to-End Encryption: Ensuring secure and private messaging communication.
Encrypted Backup: Safeguarding data with an additional layer of encryption during backup processes.
Encrypted OTP Service: Providing secure one-time password services for authentication.
Data Privacy: The app does not share data with third parties and adheres to the privacy and data policies governed by the Government of India.
Starting from the first week of January, all paramilitary forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), are advised to transition to the 'Sandes App' for all official communication and document sharing.

India-UAE joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone' to be Held in Rajasthan

The Joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' between India and UAE will be held from January 2 to January 15 in Rajasthan.
The joint drills under 'Desert Cyclone 2024' will aim to enhance interoperability by learning and sharing best practices in urban operations.
The first-ever India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise took place in September 2008 at the Al-Dhafra base in Abu Dhabi.

Dec 31, 2023

Rahul Rasgotra New ITBP Chief

Rahul Rasgotra, the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), was appointed as the new Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He is a 1989-batch IPS officer but from the Manipur cadre.

Dec 29, 2023

Anish Dayal Singh is New CRPF Chief

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief Anish Dayal Singh was appointed as the Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Singh, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Manipur cadre, was holding the additional charge of the CRPF following the retirement of S. L. Thaosen in November 2023.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Singh's appointment as DG, CRPF up to December 31, 2024, i.e. the date of his superannuation.

Indian Navy Unveils New Shivaji-inspired Designs of Epaulettes for Top Officers

The Indian Navy unveiled the new design of epaulettes that officers will wear, drawing inspiration from Rajmudra of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the introduction of the new design during the Navy Day address at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. The new design was released for the ranks of Admiral, Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral, the top three positions in the naval forces.
The reflection of the Maratha ruler's maritime legacy in new epaulettes, a shoulder piece that signals an officer's rank, is an attempt to leave the mentality of slavery, which the current design feature — Nelson's Ring, a colonial legacy.

Nina Singh Becomes 1st Woman to Head CISF

The Centre appointed Nina Singh as the Director General of CISF, making her the first woman to head this elite force.
Nina Singh was the first woman IPS officer allocated to the Rajasthan cadre where she served in many important assignments across the state. She also worked as Joint Director in the CBI during 2013-18 where she supervised many high-profile cases having national and international ramifications.
She has been working in the CISF since 2021, first as ADG and then as Special DG, and DG in-charge since August 31, 2023. A native of Bihar, she has studied at the Patna Women's College, JNU and Harvard University.

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