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UPSC Prelims & Mains
PIB Snippets — September 24, 2026
Today’s official releases — SLINEX-26, the India–Sri Lanka naval exercise, and KAVACH 4.0, Indian Railways’ upgraded Automatic Train Protection system
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SLINEX-26: India–Sri Lanka Naval Exercise, MAHASAGAR and Neighbourhood First
Why in News
- The 13th edition of SLINEX-26, the India–Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise, was held from 17–21 September 2026 at Visakhapatnam between the Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy.
- The exercise strengthens maritime cooperation and regional security, supporting India’s MAHASAGAR vision and Neighbourhood First policy.
About SLINEX — Key Facts
- SLINEX = Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise; began in 2005 in Colombo, held alternately in India and Sri Lanka since.
- 12th edition: Colombo, August 2025. 11th edition: Visakhapatnam, December 2024.
- Aims to improve interoperability, build mutual understanding, and respond jointly to non-traditional maritime threats — piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing.
MAHASAGAR
Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions — builds on the earlier SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region); focuses on maritime security, trade and capacity building across the Indian Ocean Region.
India’s Naval Exercises
Bangladesh — Bongosagar; Indonesia — Samudra Shakti; Singapore — SIMBEX; Japan — JIMEX; France — Varuna. (Mitra Shakti is the India–Sri Lanka Army exercise, not naval.)
Sri Lanka sits at a key position near major Indian Ocean shipping routes, so the exercise supports India’s role as a net security provider and first responder in the region, and helps India remain the preferred defence partner of neighbouring navies.
Source: PIB
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KAVACH 4.0: India’s Indigenous Automatic Train Protection System
Why in News
- Indian Railways commissioned KAVACH Version 4.0 for the first time on South Central Railway (SCR) — upgrading from Version 3.2, covering 108 route km on the Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section of Hyderabad Division (reported 23 September 2026).
What Is Kavach — Key Facts
- An indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system — “Kavach” means “shield” in Hindi.
- Developed by Indian Railways with RDSO and Indian industry partners.
- Keeps the train within prescribed speed limits and automatically applies brakes if the Loco Pilot fails to — prevents Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) and supports safer running in fog.
- Also supports automatic whistling near level crossings and SOS messaging in emergencies. Needs the highest safety certification level — Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4).
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Station Kavach | Installed at stations and block sections |
| RFID Tags | Placed along the whole length of the track |
| Telecom Towers | Installed throughout the section |
| Optical Fibre Cable | Laid along the track |
| Loco Kavach | Fitted on locomotives running on Indian Railways |
Kavach reduces human-error accidents and reflects India’s self-reliance in safety technology under Atmanirbhar Bharat — a single indigenous system for the entire network avoids dependence on foreign train control systems, though wide deployment needs heavy investment in towers, cables and locomotive equipment.
Source: PIB
