Today's Brief 25/08/2025

1 .Fiji,

General Studies Paper-I (Mains) - Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island nation located in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific.

The country is an archipelago of more than 330 islands, with the two largest, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, being home to about 87% of the population.

The capital city is Suva, located on Viti Levu. Fiji's culture is a unique blend of indigenous Fijian, Polynesian, Melanesian, and Indo-Fijian influences. This multicultural identity is reflected in its three official languages: English, Fijian, and Fiji Hindi.

Historically, Fiji was settled by Austronesian and later Melanesian peoples, developing a culture known for fierce warriors and traditional practices. The islands became a British Crown colony in 1874 and gained independence in 1970.

Today, the economy is one of the most developed in the Pacific, primarily driven by tourism, which is a major source of foreign exchange, as well as sugar cane and bottled water exports, such as the internationally recognized Fiji Water.

A prominent cultural practice is the ceremonial drinking of kava, a traditional beverage made from the root of the yaqona plant. Rugby is the national sport, and the country is particularly famous for its successful rugby sevens team.

2 .All-women commando unit:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has initiated a significant step towards gender parity by establishing its first-ever all-women commando unit.

This team is being trained for high-security and frontline operational roles, traditionally dominated by men.

The training is an intensive eight-week advanced commando course that includes physical fitness, weapons training, and endurance drills, preparing the women for deployment in Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and Special Task Forces (STFs).

The inaugural batch, consisting of 30 women from various aviation security groups, commenced training on August 11, with plans for a second batch to follow.

Ultimately, the CISF aims to train at least 100 women in the initial phase and make such all-women courses a regular part of its training curriculum, as it works towards the government's target of 10% representation of women in the force.

3 .Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. 

This significant achievement marks a major step in bolstering India's multi-layered air defense capabilities.

The IADWS is a multi-layered, indigenous system designed to counter various aerial threats, from high-speed aircraft and missiles to drones. It integrates three distinct components under a centralized command and control system:

• Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM): A mobile, short-range missile system for intercepting targets up to 30 kilometers away.

  
  

• Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS): A man-portable system for close-range protection against low-flying threats, with an engagement envelope up to six kilometers.

  
  

• High-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW): A non-kinetic weapon that uses a laser to disable or destroy drones and other small aerial targets.

  
  

During the test, the system flawlessly engaged and destroyed three different targets simultaneously, including two high-speed fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and a multi-copter drone, at varying ranges and altitudes. 

This successful trial highlights the system's ability to coordinate different weapon platforms to counter multiple threats at once. 

The IADWS is part of a larger initiative to create a comprehensive and self-reliant air defense shield for India.