Indian armed forces used 'Made in India' Akash missile to foil Pakistan attack - full details here | Today News
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/indian-armed-forces-used-made-in-india-akash-missile-to-foil-pakistan-attack-drone-loc-operation-sindoor-11746768340254.html

✅ Defence Technology

Type of Question

• Conceptual + Applied Technology
• Tests understanding of digital infrastructure (Aadhaar) and general awareness of APIs.

Key Concepts to Understand

What are Open APIs?

• APIs are software tools that allow one software system to interact with another.
• Open APIs are publicly available for developers to use, especially to integrate services across platforms.
• Aadhaar provides open APIs to allow identity authentication, e-KYC, etc., through third-party applications.

What is Aadhaar?

• Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India).
• It is based on biometric (fingerprint, iris) and demographic data.
• It is the world's largest biometric ID system.
• It is governed by the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
• It is under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
• The Supreme Court verdict in 2018 upheld Aadhaar's validity with some restrictions.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

GPS is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location (latitude, longitude), velocity, and time synchronisation. The United States Department of Defence operates it.
How it Works:
GPS uses a constellation of at least 24 satellites in Medium Earth orbit.
A GPS receiver (like in your phone) calculates its position by trilateration using signals from at least 4 satellites.

GPS and Mobile Phone Operations

GPS is widely used in mobile phones for location-based services:
1. Navigation (e.g., Google Maps)
2. Emergency services (e.g., 112 location tracking)
3. Ride-hailing apps, delivery services, etc.
GPS also supports time synchronisation, essential for mobile tower coordination.

GPS and Banking Operations

GPS provides accurate time synchronisation, which is critical for secure banking:
1. Timestamping of transactions
2. Real-time payment systems (e.g., NEFT, RTGS)
3. ATM synchronisation
Many financial systems use GPS time-stamping to comply with audit and regulatory requirements.

GPS and Controlling Power Grids

GPS is used for Precise Time Protocol (PTP) in:
1. Grid synchronisation
2. Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) to monitor real-time grid stability
3. Fault detection and load management in large electricity grids
Ensures frequency and phase alignment in interconnected power systems.

🎯Why the Question is Tricky

Non-obvious Applications
Most candidates associate GPS only with navigation or maps.
But UPSC tests whether you know its real-world infrastructure roles, like:
1. Time synchronisation in banking
2. Grid stability in the power sector
These are less intuitive, yet very important.
✅ The question encourages you to think beyond "GPS = navigation".

👉Learning Tip

Whenever you see a question on a commonly known tech (GPS, IoT, Blockchain), consider:
1. Direct uses (e.g., location)
2. Indirect uses (e.g., time synchronisation)
3. Cross-sector applications (e.g., finance, telecom, energy)

✅ Biotechnology

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by ISRO.
It is officially named NavIC.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1: “IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.”
✅ Correct
The original IRNSS configuration comprises 7 satellites:
• 3 in geostationary orbit (above the equator, fixed over a point)
• 4 in inclined geosynchronous orbit (move in a figure-eight path relative to Earth)
📍 This is a factual recall — you either know it or not.

Statement 2: “IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.”
❌ Incorrect
IRNSS coverage is much larger — entire India + up to 1500 km beyond borders.
5500 sq. km is factually wrong and misleading.
📍 Trick in numbers — UPSC tests if you catch the misleading figure.

Statement 3: “India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.”
❌ Incorrect
IRNSS is regional, not global like GPS, GLONASS, etc.
📍 Checks conceptual clarity — many may wrongly assume IRNSS is a global system.

🎯 UPSC’s Intention: This question tests:
1. Precision in factual data – satellite count and orbits
2. Ability to spot exaggerated or inaccurate claims

🔍 Strategy Tip: Always double-check figures (like km coverage, satellite count, and years).
The UPSC often frames questions with one correct and two subtly incorrect statements to test your ability to eliminate options smartly.