1. Overall Crime Landscape:

• Decline in Conventional Crime: India saw a 6% decline in total cognisable crimes (58.86 lakh cases) compared to 2023.
• Crime Rate: Dropped from 448.3 to 418.9 per lakh population.
• Legal Framework: Cases were registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Special & Local Laws (SLL).

2. Emerging Security & Governance Challenges:

• Cybercrime Surge: Fastest-growing category; rose by 17.9% (over 1 lakh cases).
  • Leading Motive: Financial fraud accounted for 72.6% of cases.
  • Hotspots: Telangana (highest cases) and Karnataka.
• Economic Offences: Increased by 4.6%, dominated by Forgery, Cheating, and Fraud (FCF).
• Crimes Against the State: Rose by 6.6%, primarily under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and UAPA.

3. Social Vulnerabilities & Vulnerable Sections:

• Women’s Safety: Marginal decline in crime rate (66.2 to 64.6), but cruelty by relatives and kidnapping remain major issues.
• Marginalized Communities:
  • SC/ST: Registered cases declined (3.6% for SCs; 23.1% for STs), though this may reflect underreporting rather than improved social justice.
• Child Safety: Missing children cases rose by 7.8%, with a significant majority (over 75,000) being girls.
• Public Health: Drug overdose deaths spiked by 50%, with Tamil Nadu reporting the highest fatalities.

4. Social Distress & Mental Health (ADSI 2024):

• Total Suicides: 1,70,746 recorded deaths.
• Vulnerable Demographics:
  • Daily Wage Earners: Comprise 31% of total suicides.
  • Agricultural Sector: 10,546 suicides linked to agrarian distress.
  • Others: High numbers among homemakers, students, and the unemployed.

5. Key Institutional Gaps

• Investigation Burden: Massive pendency in cybercrime; over 1.2 lakh cases pending investigation.
• Judicial Delays: Low conviction rates and capacity constraints in forensic policing.

Way Forward for India:

1. Modernize Policing: Expand digital forensic capacities and interstate coordination to tackle cybercrime.
2. Judicial Reform: Fast-track economic and cyber offence trials to improve conviction rates.
3. Holistic Support: Strengthen mental health infrastructure and livelihood security to address suicide rates.
4. Community Safety: Enhance women’s helplines and child-tracking systems.

• DCP Adoption Plan: Senior officers have adopted 100 police stations to ensure direct accountability and grassroot-level reform.

• Visionary Alignment: Inspired by PM Modi’s SMART policing mandate to modernize the force.

• Proactive Shift: Transitioning toward a citizen-centric model that prioritizes prevention over mere response.

Key Features of the 2026 Initiative:

A. Tech & AI Integration:

• Predictive Policing: Utilizing AI for crime hotspot mapping to deploy resources before crimes occur.

• Surveillance: Expanded CCTV networks, facial recognition, and drone-based monitoring.

• Data Systems: Real-time data sharing via CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems) and the Crime Kundali database.

• Transparency: Mandatory Body-worn cameras and GPS tracking for all patrol units.

B. Community-Centric Policing;

• Grassroots Engagement: Empowering Mohalla Committees and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs).

• Digital Redressal: Mobile apps for instant grievance filing and tracking.

• Social Focus: Dedicated units for missing children, stolen mobile tracking, and crimes against women.

C. Specialized Training:

• Modern Threats: Specialized modules for cybercrime, digital forensics, and financial frauds.

• Soft Skills: Mandatory training in ethics, leadership, and victim empathy.

• Security: Advanced counter-terrorism protocols.

D. Infrastructure & Monitoring:

• Smart Stations: Transitioning physical stations into digital service hubs.

• Inter-Agency Linkage: Seamless coordination with I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre).

• Accountability: Use of performance dashboards to monitor officer efficiency and curb corruption.

Historical Context of Police Reforms in India:

Police reforms have been a long-standing demand due to the colonial-era origins of the force.

• Police Act of 1861: The current bedrock of Indian policing, designed by the British to suppress dissent rather than serve the public.

• National Police Commission (1977-81): The first major body to recommend autonomy and separation of investigation from law and order.

• Prakash Singh Case (2006): The Supreme Court issued seven landmark directives to state and central governments to kickstart reforms (e.g., setting up State Police Boards and a Police Complaints Authority).

Key Issues & Challenges;

Despite initiatives, several systemic hurdles remain:

• Political Interference: Lack of functional autonomy often leads to the misuse of police machinery.

• Overburdened Force: Severe vacancy rates lead to long working hours (often 14–16 hours) and high stress.

• Obsolescence: While the 2026 plan addresses this, many local units still struggle with outdated weaponry and poor forensic facilities.

• Public Distrust: A historical “trust deficit” between the police and the common citizen, often due to perceived high-handedness.

 Important Committees on Police Reform;

Conclusion;

The Delhi Police Reform Initiative (2026) acts as a blueprint for urban policing in India. By integrating AI and community feedback, it aims to transform the “Ruler’s Police” into a “People’s Police,” aligning with the broader goal of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.

What is Space Warfare?

Space warfare involves combat that takes place in outer space or targets space-based assets. Unlike traditional kinetic warfare (explosions), modern space conflict is often non-kinetic, invisible, and deniable.

• Targeting: It targets the “space segment” (satellites), the “ground segment” (control stations), and the “user segment” (GPS receivers in phones/planes).
• Dual-Use Nature: Most space technology is dual-use; a satellite meant for weather tracking can also be used for military reconnaissance.

Recent Developments (2024–2026):

• Cyber-Kinetic Hybridization: The use of malware like “AcidRain” to wipe satellite modems (Viasat Hack).
• Weaponization of Safety Logic: GPS spoofing (sending false signals) is being used to trick aircraft and ships into “thinking” they are off-course, potentially luring them into hostile territory or causing crashes.
• Proliferation of Mega-Constellations: The rise of Starlink and similar networks has forced rivals (like China) to develop “anti-Starlink” strategies, viewing these commercial constellations as military intelligence tools.
• Missile Defense Expansion: The Pentagon’s 2025 “Golden Dome” initiative aims for a four-layer space-based sensor system to intercept hypersonic missiles.

Key Challenges:

• The Kessler Syndrome: A single collision in space can create a “cascade” of debris, making certain orbits unusable for centuries.
• Attribution Dilemma: It is extremely difficult to prove if a satellite failed due to a solar flare, a technical glitch, or a stealthy “dazzling” (blinding by laser) from a rival nation.
• Legal Lacuna: The Outer Space Treaty (1967) prohibits Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in space but is silent on conventional missiles, lasers, or cyber-attacks.
• Commercial Risk: Private companies like SpaceX and Maxar are now front-line actors, making them targets in state-led conflicts.

Global Trends & State Actors:

Steps Taken by India:

• Mission Shakti: Positioned India as the 4th nation with ASAT (Anti-Satellite) capability, ensuring “Strategic Deterrence.”
• Project NETRA: An early warning system in space to detect debris and hazards to Indian satellites.
• IDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Encouraging startups to build “Space-Tech” solutions for the military (e.g., secure communications, small-sat launchers).
• Integrated Space Cell: A tri-service command to coordinate space assets between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Way Forward

• Space Situational Awareness (SSA): Developing better tracking systems to differentiate between natural accidents and deliberate attacks.
• International Law (PAROS): Pushing for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) treaty at the UN to create binding rules for behavior in orbit.
• Resilient PNT: Moving away from sole reliance on GPS/GNSS by using “Multi-constellation” receivers (like combining NavIC with GPS) to mitigate spoofing.
• Space Sustainability: Adopting “Circular Space Economy” principles—removing old debris to prevent the Kessler Syndrome.

Unveiled in late March 2026, the Atlas system is a mobile, vehicle-mounted drone swarm platform developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC). It is described as a “mini-battlefield network on wheels.”

Composition: The system consists of three distinct units:

1. Swarm-2 Ground Combat Vehicle: The launcher unit. A single vehicle carries and launches 48 fixed-wing drones.
2. Command Vehicle: The “brain” of the operation. It can simultaneously control up to 96 drones in a single swarm.
3. Support Vehicle: Handles logistics, reloads, and maintenance.

Key Technical Capabilities:

• Mass Launch: The system uses a rapid-fire mechanism with a 3-second launch interval. It can put a full swarm of 96 drones in the air within 300 seconds (5 minutes).
• Single-Human Control: Despite the large number of drones, a single operator manages the entire swarm. This is often compared to “one person flying 100 kites with a single string.”
• Swarm Intelligence: Drones use AI algorithms to:

• • Avoid mid-air collisions.
  • Communicate and share information in real-time.
  • Autonomously adjust formations based on environmental factors (like wind).
  • Identify and discriminate targets independently (e.g., picking a command vehicle out of multiple targets).

Strategic Advantages :

The Atlas system seeks to “outsmart” traditional defense systems through Saturation and Autonomy:

• Saturation Attack: By launching nearly 100 drones simultaneously from different directions, it can overwhelm sophisticated air defenses (like the E-3 Sentry AWACS or Iron Dome) that are designed to track a limited number of high-speed targets.
• Multi-Role Flexibility: The swarm is “heterogeneous,” meaning it can mix different types of drones:

• • Scouting/Reconnaissance: To gather intelligence first.
  • Electronic Warfare: To jam enemy communications.
  • Kamikaze/Strike: To destroy high-value targets.

• High Mobility: Because it is truck-launched and independent, it is easy to hide, camouflage, and operate from remote mountain regions or coastal areas, providing a tactical surprise.

Challenges & Concerns for India:

The deployment of the Atlas system along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tibet or Xinjiang poses specific security threats:

• Air Defense Vulnerability: Traditional Indian air defense systems may not be optimized for “swarms” of small, low-radar-cross-section drones.
• Logistics Disruption: Swarms can be used to target supply lines and isolated forward posts in high-altitude terrain.
• Electronic Warfare: The “smart brain” of these drones makes them resistant to traditional jamming, as they can re-route and share data autonomously if one unit is blocked.

Way Forward :

• Counter-Swarm Tech: India needs to accelerate the development of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) like high-power microwaves and lasers to disable swarms instantly.
• Integrated Air Defense: Moving toward AI-enabled air defense networks that can track and engage multiple small targets simultaneously.
• Indigenous Development: Boosting projects like HAL’s Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) to match the “Intelligentization” of the PLA.

India is experiencing a “silent pandemic” of cyber financial crimes. As of 2025-26, Delhi has emerged as a major hotspot, reflecting a national trend where the sophistication of scams has outpaced traditional policing.

• Surge in Cases: Delhi witnessed a 120% increase in cyber-related financial frauds over the last decade.
• Financial Impact: Losses in Delhi alone skyrocketed from ₹6.3 crore (2015) to nearly ₹1,271 crore (2025)—a staggering 190-fold jump.
• National Intensity: Data from CERT-In and I4C shows that India now records over 22 lakh cybercrime complaints annually, with financial fraud accounting for the majority.

Typology: What kind of Cyber Frauds?

Modern cybercrimes have shifted from simple phishing to complex psychological and technical operations:

• Digital Arrest Scams: Fraudsters impersonate law enforcement (CBI, ED, Police) via video calls, “arresting” victims virtually to extort money. This is currently the fastest-growing category.
• Investment & Stock Trading Scams: Luring victims through social media groups with promises of 100-200% returns using fake trading apps.
• Mule Account Syndicates: Use of “rented” bank accounts to layer and launder stolen money quickly across borders.
• Technical Exploits: Use of SIM Boxes (to bypass international calling rates and hide location), VPNs, and Deepfakes to create realistic impersonations.

Key Issues and Challenges:

• Multi-layered Money Trails: Scammers move money through 5-10 different bank accounts within minutes, making “hot pursuit” of funds difficult for police.
• Jurisdictional Hurdles: Masterminds often operate from “cyber-safe” havens like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam (Southeast Asian hubs) or Jamtara/Mewat internally.
• Reporting Lag: The “Golden Hour” (first 2 hours) is critical for freezing funds, but victims often report late due to shock or social stigma.
• Technological Gap: Use of encrypted platforms (Telegram/WhatsApp) and cryptocurrency for final settlements complicates data retrieval.

Recent Initiatives & The Delhi Model (S4C):

The government is moving toward a “Coordinated Enforcement” model:

• State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (S4C): Delhi Police is establishing S4C on the lines of the National I4C.
  • Dual-DCP Structure: One for Operations/Investigation and one for Coordination/Helpline (1930).
  • Real-time Banking Linkage: S4C will have dedicated desks to coordinate directly with banks for immediate “Lien Marking” (freezing) of funds.
• Operation ‘Cyber Hawk’: A targeted crackdown on mule account holders and technical infrastructure (blocking 12 lakh+ SIMs and 3 lakh+ IMEIs nationally by 2025).
• Central Platforms: * I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre): The apex body under MHA.
  • ‘Pratibimb’ Module: Real-time mapping of cyber-criminal locations.
  • Suspect Registry: A shared database of fraudsters’ identifiers used by banks to decline transactions.

Way Forward:

• International Cooperation: Strengthening “Bilateral Cyber Dialogues” and using the G7 24/7 Network for faster cross-border data preservation.
• Technological Upgradation: Adopting AI-driven “Predictive Policing” to identify suspicious transaction patterns before the fraud is reported.
• Financial Literacy: Shifting public awareness from “don’t share OTP” to “identifying psychological manipulation” (e.g., Digital Arrest awareness).
• Legislative Clarity: Ensuring the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) are effectively utilized to prosecute digital-native crimes.

Conclusion:

Cybercrime is no longer just a technical glitch but a threat to economic security and public trust. The shift from “isolated investigation” to “institutional coordination” (as seen in the Delhi S4C initiative) is essential to transition from reactive policing to a proactive, tech-driven defense ecosystem.

The Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) is a high-level cooperative platform launched by Japan to accelerate decarbonization and achieve net-zero emissions across Asia.

Following the meeting hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on April 15, 2026, the initiative has taken a significant leap forward, moving into a more resilient phase known as AZEC 2.0.

The Core Concept: “One Goal, Various Pathways”

Unlike many climate frameworks that demand a uniform approach, AZEC operates on the principle that each country has unique economic and geographic conditions. It promotes a realistic energy transition using a variety of technologies, including:

• Renewable energy (Solar, Wind, Geothermal).
• Hydrogen and Ammonia co-firing.
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).
• Natural gas as a “bridge fuel.”

AZEC 2.0 & the “POWERR Asia” Initiative:

In the recent April 2026 summit, the focus shifted from just “green energy” to Energy Resilience. This was driven by global supply chain disruptions (particularly in the Strait of Hormuz). Key outcomes included:

• POWERR Asia: Launch of the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience.
• $10 Billion Package: Japan pledged a financial package (approx. ¥1.5 trillion) to support Asian nations in diversifying energy supplies and securing crude oil/fuel reserves during crises.
• Emergency Buffer: The initiative aims to support the procurement of up to 2 billion barrels of oil—roughly a year’s worth of demand for ASEAN countries—to act as a shock absorber against price spikes.

Member Countries:

The community consists of 11 core partner nations:

Japan, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The 2026 “Expanded” Summit also included guest participants like India, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste, signaling AZEC’s growing influence as a pan-Asian energy block.

Importance for India:

While India participated as a guest in this summit, AZEC is highly relevant to your interests in international relations and economy because:

• Technology Transfer: It offers a platform for Japan to share advanced green tech with developing nations.
• Investment: It mobilizes massive private-sector investment into infrastructure projects.
• Maritime Security: The joint emphasis on protecting trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz is critical for India’s energy security.

2. Core Frameworks & Alignment:

The initiative is not a standalone program but an operational extension of India’s multi-layered maritime doctrines:

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): The foundational vision introduced in 2015, focusing on cooperative security and the blue economy.

• MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions): An expanded framework designed to foster collective responsibility among IOR littoral nations.

• IONS Connection: Includes participation from 16 member nations, strengthening the institutional bond of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium.

3. Operational Structure of IOS SAGAR:

The program is designed as a “Sail and Train” engagement, divided into two distinct phases:

• Phase I: Shore-based Training (Kochi):

  • Conducted at the Indian Navy’s specialized training establishments in Kochi (Southern Naval Command).

  • Focus: Naval operations, advanced seamanship, maritime law, and modern security concepts (e.g., countering piracy and unregulated fishing).

• Phase II: Onboard Deployment (At Sea):

  • Foreign naval personnel are embedded with Indian Navy crews.

  • Activity: Joint operational drills, navigation exercises, and real-time maritime domain awareness (MDA) tasks.

  • Goal: Fostering Interoperability—the ability of different navies to operate together seamlessly during crises.

4. Strategic Significance:

• Capacity Building: India acts as a net security provider by training personnel from smaller littoral nations that may lack advanced naval infrastructure.

• Soft Power & Diplomacy: Port visits and maritime engagements during the voyage build “professional linkages” and people-to-people ties between navies.

• Shared Understanding: It moves the region toward a unified “Maritime Security Architecture,” helping to standardize “Best Practices” for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

• Countering Regional Influence: By leading such initiatives, India maintains its strategic footprint in the IOR amidst increasing competition from non-resident powers.

5. Key Terms for Mains/Prelims:

• Interoperability: The capacity of diverse military organizations to use shared signatures, frequencies, and tactics.

• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): The effective understanding of anything associated with the global maritime domain that could impact security, safety, or the environment.

• Blue Economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.

ABOUT IOR:

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a critical maritime zone that has become the center of global geopolitics and economic activity in the 21st century. For India, it is the primary theater of national security and economic survival.

1. Geographical Scope:

• Boundaries: It is the third-largest ocean, bounded by Asia to the North, Africa to the West, Australia to the East, and the Southern Ocean to the South.

• Key Marginal Seas: Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf.

• Island Territories: India’s Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep; independent states like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar.

2. Strategic Importance (The “Why it Matters” factor):

• Global Trade Hub: Approximately 80% of the world’s seaborne oil trade and one-third of global bulk cargo pass through the IOR.

• Energy Security: It contains 40% of the world’s offshore oil production. Nearly 80% of India’s oil imports and 90% of its international trade by volume are maritime-dependent.

• Choke Points: The region is home to the world’s most critical narrow passages (Choke Points).

  • Strait of Hormuz: Links the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea (critical for oil).

  • Strait of Malacca: Links the IOR with the Pacific (China’s “Malacca Dilemma”).

  • Bab-el-Mandeb: Links the IOR to the Red Sea and Suez Canal

3. India’s Policy Frameworks:

India has shifted from being a “passive observer” to a “Net Security Provider” in the region

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): Introduced in 2015 to promote cooperative maritime security.

• MAHASAGAR: A holistic framework for security across regions.

• Act East Policy: Focused on strengthening ties with ASEAN and East Asian nations.

• IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium): A voluntary initiative that brings together navies of the IOR littorals for discussion on maritime security. (India assumed Chairmanship in Feb 2026).

4. Major Challenges:

• Geopolitical Rivalry: The “militarization” of the IOR due to the presence of extra-regional powers (USA, France) and China’s increasing footprint (e.g., the “String of Pearls” strategy).

• Non-Traditional Threats: * Piracy: Particularly around the Horn of Africa (Gulf of Aden).

  • Terrorism: 2008 Mumbai attacks highlighted the vulnerability of the sea route.

  • Smuggling & Trafficking: Illegal arms, drugs (the “Golden Crescent”), and human trafficking

• Environmental Risks: Climate change leading to sea-level rise (threatening island nations like Maldives) and recurring “Flash Floods” in coastal cities.

• Maritime Crimes: Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing depleting regional resources.

Core Objectives of the Bill:

The Bill is designed to modernize India’s legal landscape by focusing on two primary pillars:

• Ease of Doing Business (EoDB): Reducing the “compliance burden” on businesses by ensuring that minor technical or procedural slips do not lead to criminal records.
• Ease of Living: Simplifying citizen-centric laws (like municipal taxes and vehicle rules) to reduce harassment and improve convenience.

Key Statistical Highlights (2026 Bill):

The 2026 Bill is significantly more ambitious than its predecessors:

• Acts Covered: 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries.
• Provisions Amended: 784 provisions in total.
• Decriminalization: 717 provisions (shifted from criminal to civil liability).
• Ease of Living: 67 specific amendments (specifically under the NDMC Act and Motor Vehicles Act).
• Rationalization: Over 1,000 offences are being streamlined to remove redundancy.

Major Features and Shift in Enforcement:

The Bill envisages a move away from “Inspector Raj” towards a more proportionate regulatory mechanism:

A. Decriminalization Strategy:

• Removal of Imprisonment: For minor defaults, jail terms are replaced with monetary penalties.
• Graded Enforcement: Introduction of a “Warning” system for first-time offenders, ensuring that honest mistakes are not punished severely.
• Proportionate Fines: Fines and penalties are recalculated to match the actual nature and gravity of the offence.

B. New Institutional Framework:

To ensure these changes aren’t just on paper, the Bill mandates:

• Adjudicating Officers: Specialized officers to handle civil defaults, bypassing the slow court system.
• Appellate Authorities: A dedicated mechanism for citizens/businesses to appeal against the decisions of Adjudicating Officers, ensuring the Principles of Natural Justice.

Specific Legislative Examples:

While the Bill covers 79 Acts, two prominent examples mentioned are:

1. Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Aimed at simplifying vehicle-related compliance for common citizens.
2. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Act, 1994: Focusing on simplifying municipal taxation procedures.

The Evolution: 2023 to 2026:

It is important to understand the trajectory of this reform:

• Jan Vishwas Act, 2023: Decriminalized 183 provisions across 42 Acts.
• Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025: Proposed 355 amendments. It was referred to a Select Committee chaired by Shri Tejasvi Surya.
• Select Committee’s Role: Held 49 sittings and recommended a massive expansion, adding 62 more Acts to the list.
• The 2026 Bill: Based on the Committee’s report, the 2025 Bill was withdrawn and the current, more comprehensive 2026 version was introduced.

Significance for Governance:

• Reducing Judicial Burden: By moving minor cases out of criminal courts to Adjudicating Officers, the backlog of cases (pendency) is expected to decrease.
• Attracting Investment: A predictable and trust-based legal environment is a key signal to global investors that India is a safe and “business-friendly” destination.
• Modernizing Bureaucracy: It forces departments to move from a punitive mindset to a consultative and regulatory one.

Short Service Commission (SSC):

The Short Service Commission is a limited-tenure appointment. Historically, this was the only route available to women in most branches of the military.

• Tenure: Usually involves a standard period of 10 to 14 years (initial 10 years, extendable by 4).
• Termination: At the end of the tenure, the officer typically leaves the service.
• Benefits: SSC officers generally do not qualify for a pension, as pension eligibility usually requires a minimum of 20 years of service.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for high-level promotions (Colonel and above) and specialized command roles were traditionally restricted under this commission.

Permanent Commission (PC):

A Permanent Commission means a career in the armed forces until the age of retirement.

• Tenure: Officers serve until they reach the mandatory retirement age based on their rank.
• Benefits: PC officers are entitled to full pensionary benefits and other post-retirement perks provided by the government.
• Career Growth: This path allows officers to rise through the ranks to the highest levels of leadership and take on command appointments.
• Equality: By granting PC to women, the court has ensured they are no longer “temporary” members of the force but can lead units and serve as long as their male counterparts.

Comparison :

Recently, the Global Terrorism Index, 2026 was published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

About Global Terrorism Index:

• It is  published by the Institute for Economics and Peace(IEP), a Sydney-based independent, non-profit think tank.
• It is a comprehensive study analysing the impact of terrorism for 163 countriescovering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.
• Methodology
  • The GTI scores each country on a scale from 0 to 10;where 0 represents no impact from terrorism and 10 represents the highest measurable impact of terrorism.
  • This produces a composite score so as to provide an ordinal ranking of countries on the impact of terrorism.

Key Highlights of Global Terrorism Index 2026:

• Deaths from terrorism fell by 28 per cent and incidents decreased by 22 per cent
• Six of the ten countries most impactedby terrorism are in sub-Saharan Africa, maintaining its position as the epicenter.
• For the first time, Pakistan leads the Indexas the country most impacted by terrorism.
• India is placed 13thon the list.
• Deadliest terror outfits (2025):IS, Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and alShabaab.