Delayed honour: On Operation Sindoor, gains and losses
The article discusses the critical balance between maintaining operational secrecy during military and intelligence operations and ensuring democratic accountability. It emphasizes the need for timely recognition of service personnel's contributions and argues that secrecy must not be used as a shield to avoid accountability or institutional scrutiny.
Read source at The Hindu — Editorial →Mains Practice Question
While operational secrecy is indispensable for national security, absolute opacity can undermine democratic accountability and lead to the denial of recognition for service personnel. Examine the need for institutional reforms in India's defence establishment to balance secrecy with accountability.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQ
With reference to the declassification of war histories and operational records of the Indian Armed Forces, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Public Records Act, 1993, records of historical value are normally transferred to the National Archives of India after 25 years. 2. The Ministry of Defence's declassification policy mandates that war histories should be compiled and declassified within a specific timeframe unless they compromise national security.
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct. Under the Public Records Act, 1993, records of historical value should ordinarily be transferred to the National Archives of India after 25 years. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence approved a policy on archiving, declassification, and compilation of war/operations histories to ensure systematic archiving and declassification within 25 years to encourage historical research and accountability.
Practice more MCQs like this →