AASHVAST Labs

Context: The Indian Army is establishing six AASHVAST laboratories across India to detect and eliminate firmware-level and electronic vulnerabilities in military drones, with one laboratory already inaugurated in New Delhi.

What is AASHVAST?

• AASHVAST stands for Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities and Security Threats.

• It is a Firmware Analysis and Validation Suite developed by QuickPay Pvt. Ltd. for the Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (DG EME).

• The Army has planned six labs, with at least five more to be established after the Delhi facility.

• The Army had also issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in April 2026 for customised licensed software to validate firmware and embedded systems in electronic components, including UAV components.

• Initially, the labs will inspect military drones, while Army-procured CCTV cameras may also be screened in the future.

What is Firmware?

• Firmware is specialised software embedded in hardware that provides low-level control and basic operational instructions to a device.

• Vulnerabilities can be introduced during manufacturing or software upgrades.

• Hidden codes, commands, passwords or location/time-based controls may cause a drone to malfunction, terminate its operation or fail to reach its designated destination.

Significance of AASHVAST

• Closes a critical security gap: It enables firmware-level security checks that were not routinely performed on Army-procured drones.

• Detects hidden vulnerabilities: The system can identify around 14 types of vulnerabilities, including geospatial, time-based and hidden-code vulnerabilities.

• Strengthens cyber resilience: It can detect hidden passwords, embedded keys, remote-access tools and location-based security controls, reducing the risk of hostile interference.

• Addresses supply-chain risks: The labs can examine Chinese and other foreign-origin active components, helping identify components whose actual origin may not be evident from purchase invoices.

National Systems Gold Medal Awarded to IIT Ropar Director

Context: IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja has been awarded the National Systems Gold Medal by the Systems Society of India (SSI) for his contribution to Systems Science and Engineering.

About the National Systems Gold Medal

• It is the highest award instituted by the Systems Society of India (SSI).

• It is presented to an eminent person for significant contributions to any branch of Systems Science and Engineering.

• The medal was presented to Prof. Rajeev Ahuja at Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, during the 49th (Inter) National Systems Conference, held from 21–23 September 2026.

• A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1997) and K. Sivan (2018) are among the prominent recipients.

• Systems Science and Engineering applies a holistic systems approach to areas such as control systems, aerospace systems and large-scale system development.

About the Systems Society of India (SSI)

• SSI was formally registered in 1982 as a professional body of engineers and scientists from engineering, science, social studies and arts disciplines.

• Prof. P.S. Satsangi was its Founder President and is regarded as the Father of the Systems Movement in India.

• SSI promotes the theory, research, application and practice of systems approaches for societal advancement.

• It organises the National Systems Conference every year to advance Systems Science and Engineering and promote its applications.

• Other SSI honours include the Doyens of Systems Science & Engineering Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Rajkumar Varshney Award, SSI Vikram Award and Young Scientist Award.

NRIDA–IIM Kolkata Study on Rural Road Connectivity

Context: The National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) and Indian Institute of Management Kolkata (IIM Kolkata) have signed an MoU for a four-year longitudinal impact assessment study of roads constructed under PMGSY-IV and PM-JANMAN.

Key Highlights of the Study

• Duration: Four years, using a longitudinal approach to measure changes over time.

• Coverage: 10 States/UTs, 50 districts, 150 blocks and 250 roads.

• States/UTs: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttarakhand.

• Households: Approximately 5,000 households will be surveyed.

• Survey design:

• Baseline Survey (Pre-construction): 14 months
• Transition Period: About 12 months
• Endline Survey (Post-construction): 22 months

• Impact areas: Mobility, accessibility, livelihoods, employment, income diversification, agriculture, non-farm activities, market access, education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and household welfare.

• The study will also examine travel time, transportation costs, migration patterns and access to essential public and financial services, including variations across regions and vulnerable groups.

• The findings are expected to support programme review, outcome monitoring, evidence-based policy formulation and future rural infrastructure planning.

About the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - IV (PMGSY-IV) 

• Period: FY 2024-25 to 2028-29

• Total outlay: ₹70,125 crore — Central Share ₹49,087.50 crore and State Share ₹21,037.50 crore.

• Target: Provide 62,500 km of all-weather roads to 25,000 unconnected habitations.

• Population criteria include 500+ in plains, 250+ in North-East and Hill States/UTs, 100+ in Left-Wing Extremism-affected districts, and specified special-category areas.

• Road planning will use the PM Gati Shakti portal, while construction will incorporate technologies such as Cold Mix Technology, Waste Plastic and Full Depth Reclamation.

About the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) 

• Launched: 15 November 2023

• Outlay: ₹24,104 crore

• Target group: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 States/UTs.

• It focuses on improving housing, drinking water, roads, electricity, healthcare, education, mobile connectivity and livelihood opportunities.

• Under its infrastructure component, the mission targets 8,000 km of all-weather roads connecting approximately 6,500 PVTG villages.