A high-level meeting was convened by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah to plan the constitution of the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS).
The meeting was also attended by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Minister of Civil Aviation, reflecting an inter-ministerial approach to security.
Need for a Dedicated Port Security Framework
Emphasis was laid on creating a robust, uniform, and national port security framework.
Security measures are to be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, considering:
Vulnerability levels
Trade and cargo volumes
Strategic location of ports
Other relevant risk parameters
Legal and Institutional Structure
BoPS will be constituted as a statutory body under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
It will function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
The Bureau will be headed by a Director General, an IPS officer of Pay Level-15.
During a one-year transition period, the Director General of Shipping (DGS/DGMA) will act as the Director General, BoPS.
The structure is modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
Mandate and Functions
Responsible for regulatory and oversight functions relating to:
Security of vessels
Security of port facilities
Will ensure analysis, collection, and exchange of security-related information.
Special emphasis on cyber security, including:
A dedicated division to protect port IT and digital infrastructure from cyber threats.
Role of CISF and Private Security Agencies
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for ports.
CISF responsibilities include:
Conducting security assessments of ports
Preparing port security plans
CISF will also:
Train and build capacity of Private Security Agencies (PSAs) involved in port security
Support certification and regulation of PSAs
Measures will be introduced to ensure only licensed PSAs operate at ports.
Cross-Sectoral Learning
It was noted that lessons from maritime security frameworks would be replicated in the aviation security domain, strengthening overall national transport security.
Strategic Significance
Establishment of BoPS represents a major institutional reform in India’s maritime security architecture.
Enhances:
Standardisation of port security
Risk-based governance
Integration of cyber and physical security
Reflects India’s focus on securing critical trade infrastructure and adapting to emerging security threats.
Niryat Cargo Express
Key Development
Indian Railways has achieved a new milestone by operating the Niryat Cargo Express as a double-stack container train.
The service ran from Ichhapuri Container Terminal, Gurugram, to Mundra Port.
This marks the first time a timetabled assured freight train has been operated from Ichhapuri, Gurugram.
About Niryat Cargo Express
It is an export-focused, assured transit freight service.
Designed to provide time-bound, predictable logistics for exporters.
Operates as a weekly service, ensuring reliability and planning certainty.
Operational Highlights
The train was operated as a “crack train”, meaning:
Minimal halts
Uninterrupted movement
Faster transit times
Use of double-stack containers enhances carrying capacity and efficiency.
Previous Operations
Prior to this, 20 trips of assured transit service had been successfully operated from Garhi, Gurugram.
The Ichhapuri run expands the assured freight network in the region.
Role of Northern Railway
Delhi Division of Northern Railway has strengthened assured freight movement for exporters.
Focus is on high-value export cargo that requires timely and reliable delivery.
Benefits to Exporters
Reduced transit time to Mundra Port.
Lower logistics costs due to fewer delays and predictable schedules.
Improved competitiveness of Indian exports through efficient rail-based logistics.
Overall Significance
Reflects Indian Railways’ push towards:
Modern freight operations
Export facilitation
Logistics efficiency
Supports India’s broader goal of boosting exports and improving supply chain reliability.
New Study on Measuring Galaxy Halo Mass
Research origin and significance
The study was conducted by the Raman Research Institute (RRI), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
It challenges existing methods used to estimate the mass of the diffuse gas halo surrounding galaxies.
Accurate measurement of this halo is crucial for understanding galaxy formation and evolution.
Structure of a galaxy beyond visible stars
Galaxies are surrounded by a vast, diffuse halo extending 10–20 times the size of the visible galaxy.
Most of a galaxy’s mass lies in this halo, made up of dark matter and gas.
The gaseous component bound to the galaxy is called the Circumgalactic Medium (CGM).
The gas outside this region, not gravitationally bound to the galaxy, is known as the Intergalactic Medium (IGM).
Role of the CGM
CGM acts as a bridge between galaxies and the cosmic web.
It regulates gas inflow (fuel for star formation) and outflow (feedback processes), shaping galaxy evolution.
Measuring the CGM’s mass helps trace how galaxies grow over cosmic time.
Current observational method
Astronomers estimate CGM mass by measuring highly ionized oxygen in the halo.
Light from distant, bright background sources passes through gas around foreground galaxies.
Specific wavelengths absorbed by ionized oxygen reveal the amount of gas along the line of sight.
Core problem identified
Observations measure the total ionized oxygen along the line of sight, not just from the CGM.
Both CGM and IGM lie along this path, making it impossible to separate their contributions observationally.
Existing models assume all detected ionized oxygen belongs to the CGM.
Key findings of the RRI study
The study’s models indicate that a significant fraction of observed ionized oxygen actually comes from the IGM.
This leads to systematic overestimation of CGM mass.
The IGM forms a “blanket” around the CGM, contaminating measurements.
Variation across galaxy masses
In high-mass galaxies (like the Milky Way), only about 50% of observed ionized oxygen may come from CGM.
In low-mass galaxies, the CGM contribution could be as low as 30%.
This explains why models and observations disagree more strongly for low-mass galaxies.
Conceptual analogy
The CGM is likened to a crowd gathered around a street magician (the galaxy).
The crowd stops growing beyond a boundary, representing the transition from CGM to IGM.
Implications of the study
Galaxy halo mass estimates may need significant revision.
Understanding gas flows and galaxy evolution requires explicitly accounting for IGM contributions.
The findings call for refinement of theoretical and observational models.
Future work
RRI researchers, along with collaborators from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, are developing more realistic and comprehensive models.
The goal is to precisely quantify the CGM–IGM contribution mismatch and improve mass estimates.
Overall takeaway
The study redefines how astronomers interpret halo gas observations.
It highlights that intergalactic matter plays a larger role than previously assumed in shaping galaxy halo measurements.
BlueBird Communications Satellite.
ISRO Announcement
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially announced the launch of the BlueBird communications satellite.
Satellite Details
The satellite weighs approximately 6,500 kg.
It has been developed by AST SpaceMobile, a U.S.-based company.
BlueBird is a communications satellite, intended to support space-based connectivity.
Launch Vehicle and Mission
The satellite will be launched aboard LVM3, India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle.
The mission is designated LVM3-M6, indicating the sixth mission of the LVM3 rocket.
Launch Date and Time
The launch is scheduled for December 24, 2025, at 8:54 am IST.
It will take place from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
International Collaboration
The mission highlights international cooperation, with ISRO launching a satellite developed by a U.S. private space company.
Significance
Demonstrates ISRO’s capability to launch heavy commercial satellites.
Reinforces India’s growing role as a reliable global launch service provider.
Support to Poor Prisoners scheme
Background of the Scheme
The Support to Poor Prisoners scheme was launched in 2023 by the Union Home Ministry.
It aims to provide financial assistance to indigent prisoners whose release is delayed only due to inability to pay fines or furnish bail sureties.
Reason for Revising Guidelines
The Ministry observed a “sub-optimal” response from several States and Union Territories.
Poor implementation was undermining the scheme’s core objective of timely prisoner release.
Revised guidelines were issued to ensure better coordination, accountability, and faster execution.
Objectives of Revised Guidelines
Introduce fixed timelines for processing eligible cases.
Mandate involvement of senior district-level officials.
Strengthen institutional mechanisms for effective implementation.
Help reduce prison overcrowding while alleviating hardship faced by poor prisoners.
Changes in Institutional Framework
The district-level Empowered Committee will now include:
A nominee of the District Collector
The judge in-charge of the concerned prison, nominated by the District Judge
This aims to enhance oversight and decision-making.
Procedure for Convicted Prisoners
If a convicted prisoner cannot secure release due to non-payment of fines:
The Jail Superintendent must inform the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) within one week.
The DLSA verifies the prisoner’s financial condition.
Eligible cases are forwarded to the Empowered Committee.
The Committee may approve financial assistance up to ₹25,000, to be deposited with the court.
Applicability to Undertrial Prisoners
Similar provisions apply to eligible undertrial prisoners unable to secure release due to bail conditions.
Exclusions Under the Scheme
The scheme does not apply to persons accused under:
Prevention of Corruption Act
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
Any other laws notified later
Crimes Explicitly Excluded
Persons accused of heinous offences such as:
Terrorism and offences affecting national security
Dowry deaths
Rape
Human trafficking
Offences under the POCSO Act
Overall Significance
The revised guidelines aim to ensure humane treatment of economically vulnerable prisoners.
Emphasises the principle that poverty should not be a barrier to justice or freedom.
Supports broader criminal justice goals, including decongestion of prisons.
