India’s Push for Tech Driven Border Security

• 09 Apr 2025

For Prelims: Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), Vibrant Villages Programme, Border Area Development Programme, Integrated check posts (ICPs), Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023  

For Mains:  Border Security– Technological Integration, Need, Related Initiatives, Challenges and Way Forward 

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

During a visit to Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir, the Union Home Minister announced plans to bring the entire India-Pakistan border under comprehensive electronic surveillance within four years.  

• The move follows the March 2025 terror attack near Kathua, which underscored the need for advanced, technology-driven border security measures. 
• As part of the initiative, anti-drone systems, tunnel detection systems, and High-Mast Lighting and Watchtowers will be key areas of development to enhance border security. 
   

Why is Enhanced Border Management Critical for India? 

• Cross-Border Terrorism: Persistent threats from Pakistan-based terror outfits (e.g., Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed) necessitate round-the-clock surveillance, particularly along the India-Pakistan border and Line of Control (LoC).  
  • For example, the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack were both carried out by these terror groups. 
  • The India-Pakistan border, stretching over 3,323 km, includes 744 km of the LoC and around 200 km of international border in Jammu and Kashmir—a region frequently targeted by infiltration and cross-border terrorism. 
    • Since 2021, over 30 terror-related incidents have been reported from the Jammu region.  
• To Tackle Smuggling, Arms, and Narcotics Trade: India's porous borders, especially in Punjab, Jammu, and the Northeast, are often exploited for drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and counterfeit currency movement.  
  • Effective border management curtails the flow of illegal goods that fuel internal crime and insurgency. 
  • A recent example includes the busting of a cross-border drug cartel by Punjab police in March 2025, highlighting the issue posed by 'Death Crescent' to India.  
    • The Death Crescent includes Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, which is a primary source of heroin trafficked into India 
• To Facilitate Development in Border Areas: Border regions often remain underdeveloped due to security risks. Strengthening border infrastructure allows for the implementation of schemes like the Vibrant Villages Programme. 
  • It also plays a crucial role in countering China’s efforts to expand villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 
• To Strengthen National Sovereignty and Strategic Deterrence: Visible, well-managed borders act as a symbol of sovereignty.  
  • They help deter adversarial activities and project India’s firm control over its territory, especially in contested zones like J&K and Arunachal Pradesh (China recently claimed this territory in its newly released map). 

What are India’s Existing Initiatives for Border Management? 

• Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): To ensure better situational awareness at all levels and enable a quick response to any situation along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, the CIBMS has been designed.  
  • It brings together manpower, sensors, communication networks, intelligence, and command control systems into one integrated setup. 
• Integrated check posts (ICPs): ICPs at international borders aim to ensure smooth, secure, and efficient movement of people and goods across borders. 
• Border Infrastructure Development: Under the Vibrant Villages Programme and Border Area Development Programme, infrastructure upgrades help in both defense and local development. 
• Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme: It aims to strengthen security along the country's international borders by implementing projects focused on developing border infrastructure, such as border fences, border roads, and other related facilities. 
• Smart Fencing: A technologically advanced border security infrastructure is designed to strengthen surveillance and control in sensitive border areas.  
  • As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to construct a 100-kilometer Smart Fencing System along the India-Myanmar border. 

Read More: India's Border and Its Management 

 

Global Models of Border Surveillance

Country	Border Surveillance Model	Key Features
USA	Integrated Fixed Towers & SBInet	Fixed and mobile video surveillance systems, thermal imaging devices, radar, ground sensors, and radio frequency sensors.
Israel	Smart Fence Technology	AI-enabled systems, underground sensors, motion detection and facial recognition.
China	BeiDou Satellite-based surveillance	Smart towers, satellite-linked border management.
European Union	EUROSUR	Real-time monitoring using drones, satellites, and AI-based analysis.
South Korea	Demilitarized Zone Surveillance	Heat sensors, seismic sensors, smart fences, and round-the-clock human surveillance with drone support.

Note: Some countries, like the US and Israel have explored border walls to address security concerns and control illegal activities, such as the US-Mexico border wall and Israel's West Bank Barrier, aiming to curb illegal immigration and trafficking. 

What are the Key Issues Associated with India's Plan for Tech Driven Border Security? 

• Terrain Complexity and Customization Needs: India’s border with Pakistan spans deserts, marshlands, and hilly terrain, making a uniform surveillance model ineffective. Adapting technology to suit local conditions, especially in forests and mountains (Valley of Kashmir), remains a key challenge. 
• Inter-agency Coordination Gaps: Effective border management requires seamless collaboration between the Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Army, Intelligence Bureau, local police, and central ministries.  
  • However, overlapping jurisdictions, lack of real-time intelligence sharing, and absence of a unified command structure often lead to delayed responses during infiltration or drone intrusions. 
• Technological Reliability and Maintenance: High-tech surveillance equipment such as drones, and sensors require regular maintenance and specialist training.  
  • Harsh weather conditions (extreme heat in Rajasthan, snow and fog in J&K) often impair system performance.  
  • This raises questions about the sustainability and durability of equipment on the ground. 
• Financial and Logistical Constraints: While the government has assured “no budget shortage,” the sheer scale of surveillance implementation entails high capital and operational expenditure.  
  • Efficient project management and strong vendor accountability are essential for the procurement, deployment, and lifecycle maintenance of equipment, especially in remote areas. 
• Civil Liberties and Environmental Concerns: Increased surveillance must be balanced with privacy safeguards and ecological concerns.  
  • For instance, under the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, strategic projects within 100 km of the border are exempted from forest clearances, raising concerns about deforestation and displacement, especially in tribal and ecologically sensitive zones. 

Indian Borders and the Forces Deployed 

Border	Deployed Forces
India-Nepal Border	Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
India-Pakistan Border	Border Security Force (BSF)
India-China Border	Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
India-Bangladesh Border	Border Security Force (BSF)
India-Bhutan Border	Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
India-Myanmar Border	Assam Rifles
India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary	Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

What Measures can India Adopt to Accelerate Tech Driven Border Security? 

• Accelerated Deployment in Vulnerable Zones: Prioritize Jammu and Punjab sectors, where infiltration attempts have spiked.  
  • For example, the 2024 Poonch terror attack highlighted vulnerabilities in forested zones, stressing the urgency for electronic surveillance and drone-based reconnaissance in such high-risk areas. 
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Indigenous Innovation: India should leverage startups under iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) to develop cost-effective surveillance systems.  
  • For instance, ideaForge, a Mumbai-based drone manufacturer, has already supplied drones to the Indian Army and BSF for surveillance in rugged terrain. 
• Use of AI and Data Analytics for Patrol Optimization: Expand models like Project Himshakti, which uses AI to process satellite imagery and predict cross-border movement in Eastern Ladakh.  
  • A similar approach can be used along the western border to enhance patrol planning and reduce surprise infiltrations. 
• Unified Border Command for Coordination: Institutionalize an integrated command like the US Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) model, which coordinates border forces, immigration, and surveillance under a central system.  
  • India can emulate this for better synergy among BSF, Army, CRPF, and intelligence agencies. 
• Integration of Satellite Surveillance and GIS Mapping: India should expand the use of Cartosat for real-time border surveillance and leverage GSAT-7 (Rukmini) for enhanced communication in remote areas, ensuring seamless coordination among security forces.  
  • High-resolution satellite inputs can aid in mapping infiltration-prone zones and real-time tracking. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

With reference to India’s border management challenges, critically assess the role of electronic surveillance in strengthening internal security. 

 

 UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

 Mains 

Q. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders. to ferry arms / ammunition, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat. (2023)

Q. For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals. (2020)

Q. Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management. (2016)

Q. How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration. (2014)

Q. How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar? (2013)