Vayu Baan
- Context: The Indian Air Force has launched Vayu Baan, a trailblazing initiative to develop India’s first drone system deployable from helicopters.
About Vayu Baan
- It is a compact, autonomous drone that can be released from a helicopter in flight.
- The name Vayu Baan means “Air Arrow” and forms part of an indigenous Air-Launched Effects (ALE) program, integrating unmanned aerial systems with manned helicopters.
Objective
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- To provide stand-off attack capabilities, enabling helicopters to detect and neutralize enemy targets from distances exceeding 50 km.
- Keeps helicopters out of the threat range of MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems), enhancing crew safety while maintaining operational effectiveness.
- Vayu Baan represents a significant step in integrating unmanned and manned aerial platforms, boosting India’s long-range precision strike and reconnaissance capabilities.
Current Facts
- Election Commission of India
- The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. They have tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
- They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
- The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office in like manner and on like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
- At the state level, the election work is supervised, subject to overall superintendence, direction and control of the Commission, by the Chief Electoral Officer of the State.
- At the district and constituency levels, the District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers, who are assisted by a large number of functionaries, perform election work.
