Mirage 2000–Astra Mk2 Integration: Boosting India’s Air Power Indian Air Force and Defence Research and Development Organisation are studying integration of the Astra Mk2 missile on Mirage 2000 jets. The upgrade aims to enhance long-range interception capability and strengthen aerial dominance. The Mirage 2000 “Vajra” fleet is already upgraded with improved avionics and extended service life. Integration would transform it into a long-range interceptor capable of striking without close combat engagement. Astra Mk2 Missile Features Astra Mk2 missile is an advanced indigenous Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). Range: Approximately 200–240 km (at high altitude). Propulsion: Dual-pulse solid rocket motor for extended engagement capability. Guidance: AESA seeker with ECCM features for resistance to jamming. Designed for long-range BVR interception missions. Strategic Significance Offers significantly greater range compared to Astra Mk1 (~110 km). Comparable to advanced missiles like China’s PL-15. Enhances India’s “first-shot” advantage in aerial combat. Boosts indigenous defence capability and reduces reliance on foreign systems. Current Facts Delimitation in India: Evolution, Freeze, and Emerging Challenges Articles 82 and 170(3) mandate periodic readjustment of Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats and constituency boundaries after every Census. The first delimitation (1950–51) was based on estimated population figures due to urgency, followed by a proper exercise after the 1951 Census. Subsequent delimitations occurred after the 1961 and 1971 Censuses, with the 1976 exercise based on 1971 data. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment froze delimitation until the 2001 Census to avoid penalising States that successfully controlled population growth. After 2001, the freeze on increasing the number of seats continued, though constituency boundaries were redrawn using 2001 Census data to maintain population balance. The 84th Amendment (2001) extended the freeze on fresh delimitation until after the first Census post-2026, aiming to encourage population stabilisation. The assumption was that population growth would stabilise uniformly across States within 25…
