UPSC Prelims 2024 Q78: Indian Polity – Defence
- (a) Operation Sankalp
- (b) Operation Maitri
- (c) Operation Sadbhavana
- (d) Operation Madad
Answer: (c) Operation Sadbhavana
Explanation
Indian Army Civil Action Operations - Names and Purposes
| Operation | Purpose | Conducted By |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Sankalp | Indian Navy's mission in the Persian Gulf/Gulf of Oman (2019) to escort Indian-flagged vessels during Iran-US tensions | Indian Navy |
| Operation Maitri | Disaster relief operation in Nepal after 2015 earthquake | Indian Army/Air Force |
| Operation Sadbhavana | Upliftment of local population in remote/disturbed areas (J&K and Northeast) - addressing basic needs: education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth development | Indian Army (ongoing) |
| Operation Madad | Flood relief and disaster response operations in Kerala (2018) | Indian Army/Navy/NDRF |
Operation Sadbhavana (meaning 'goodwill' in Hindi) has been running since 1998 in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. It builds bridges between the Army and local communities in areas affected by insurgency.
Answer: (c) Operation Sadbhavana.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Operation Sankalp was the Indian Navy's operation in the Persian Gulf in 2019 to protect Indian-flagged merchant vessels during US-Iran tensions.
- (b) Incorrect. Operation Maitri was the Indian Army and Air Force humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operation launched in Nepal after the devastating April 2015 earthquake.
- (c) CORRECT. Operation Sadbhavana is the Indian Army's ongoing civil action program for upliftment of local population in remote/disturbed areas (J&K and Northeast), addressing their basic needs including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
- (d) Incorrect. Operation Madad refers to the Army's flood relief assistance in Kerala (2018) and similar disaster response operations - it is a reactive disaster response, not the ongoing civic upliftment program in remote areas.
Key point
Operation Sadbhavana = Indian Army's civil action program in J&K and Northeast for local population upliftment (education, healthcare, infrastructure). Running since 1998. 'Sadbhavana' means goodwill.
Remember
Operation Sadbhavana is the Indian Army's ongoing civil action program for upliftment of local population in remote/disturbed areas (J&K and Northeast), addressing education, healthcare, and basic needs.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Operation Maitri (Nepal earthquake relief 2015) with Operation Sadbhavana (ongoing civil upliftment in J&K and NE) - both involve Army but for different purposes.
- Not knowing Operation Sadbhavana's specific mandate - it is about sustained civic action in areas affected by insurgency, not disaster relief.
- Thinking Operation Sankalp is an Army operation - it was a Navy escort operation in the Persian Gulf during 2019 Iran-US tensions.
Exam tip
Sadbhavana = Goodwill = long-term civil upliftment in J&K and Northeast. Maitri = Friendship = Nepal earthquake relief. Sankalp = Resolve = Navy Persian Gulf escort. Madad = Help = Kerala floods. Remember Sadbhavana by its meaning (goodwill toward local communities).
Sources
- Indian Army - Operation Sadbhavana (Official)
- Press Information Bureau - Army Civic Action Programs in J&K