UPSC Prelims 2026Question 80Miscellaneous

The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct ?
1. The new standard is known as IS 19445:2025.
2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.
3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Options

(a)1, 2 and 3
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 2 only
(d)1 only

Correct answer: c

Decision rule

A domestic BIS standard is drafted on a request from the user ministry and its own laboratory; an unsourced foreign co-developer is the planted error.

Explanation

Correct Answer

(c) 1 and 2 only

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.

Statement	Verdict	Explanation
1. The new standard is known as IS 19445:2025.	Correct	BIS issued Indian Standard IS 19445:2025 on “Performance Evaluation and Requirements” of Bomb Disposal Systems.
2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.	Correct	A common national standard helps agencies, manufacturers and testing bodies follow uniform requirements, improving compatibility and interoperability.
3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.	Incorrect	The formulation was initiated following a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, DRDO. No official source mentions collaboration with Russia’s 30th Central Scientific Research Institute.

BIS issued IS 19445:2025 for performance evaluation and requirements of bomb disposal systems on 24 December 2025. The standard specifies qualitative requirements and test methods for various types of bomb disposal systems. (Press Information Bureau)

Hence, the correct answer is (c) 1 and 2 only.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option	Combination	Verdict	Explanation
(a)	1, 2 and 3	Incorrect	Statements 1 and 2 are correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect because no Russia collaboration is officially mentioned.
(b)	2 and 3 only	Incorrect	Statement 2 is correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect and Statement 1 is also correct.
(c)	1 and 2 only	Correct	Both statements correctly describe the BIS standard.
(d)	1 only	Incorrect	Statement 1 is correct, but Statement 2 is also correct.

Relevant Supplementary Information

IS 19445:2025 at a Glance

Parameter	Details
Standard Name	IS 19445:2025
Subject	Bomb Disposal Systems
Title / Focus	Performance Evaluation and Requirements
Issued By	Bureau of Indian Standards
Date of Issue	24 December 2025
Initiated On Request Of	Ministry of Home Affairs and TBRL, DRDO
Purpose	To test and assess bomb disposal systems
Expected Benefit	Standardisation, safety, reliability and interoperability
Applicability	Various types of bomb disposal systems

Commonly Confused Defence and Security Institutions

Institution	Full Form / Role	Relevance
BIS	Bureau of Indian Standards	Frames Indian standards for products, systems and processes
MHA	Ministry of Home Affairs	Internal security, police modernisation and domestic security coordination
DRDO	Defence Research and Development Organisation	Defence technology research and development
TBRL	Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory	DRDO laboratory dealing with ballistics, explosives and blast-related research
NSG	National Security Guard	Counter-terrorism and bomb disposal operations
BDDS	Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad	State/police-level bomb detection and disposal capability

Key Takeaways from the Tables

IS 19445:2025 is India’s national standard for bomb disposal systems.
It deals with performance evaluation and requirements.
It was initiated following a request from MHA and TBRL, DRDO.
The Russia collaboration claim is incorrect.
A common standard improves safety, procurement quality, reliability and interoperability across agencies.

Point	Explanation
IS 19445:2025 is the key standard	It relates to bomb disposal systems.
It improves interoperability	Common standards allow different agencies to use equipment with uniform performance expectations.
BIS frames standards, not operational doctrine	BIS provides technical standards; agencies decide deployment and tactics.
TBRL is relevant because of explosives and ballistics expertise	It is a DRDO laboratory associated with blast and explosive research.
Standardisation helps procurement	Agencies can buy equipment based on defined testing and performance requirements.

Context and Current Relevance

This standard is significant for India’s internal security infrastructure and bomb disposal preparedness.
It helps create uniform testing benchmarks for equipment used by security agencies.
It is relevant for police modernisation, counter-terror operations and public safety systems.

IS 19445:2025 is important for India’s counter-terrorism, police modernisation and internal security preparedness.
Standardised bomb disposal equipment can reduce operational risk for security personnel.
It also supports domestic manufacturing by giving manufacturers a clear national benchmark for product development.

Table: Important BIS Standards Recently Relevant for Security, Defence and Public Safety

Standard / Code	Subject Area	Purpose / Use	Relevance
IS 19445:2025	Bomb Disposal Systems	Performance evaluation and requirements for bomb disposal systems	Improves safety, reliability and interoperability of bomb disposal equipment
IS 17051	Bullet Resistant Jackets	Specifies requirements for bullet-resistant jackets used by police and security forces	Helps ensure quality and protection standards
IS 17566	Bullet Resistant Morcha	Standard for bullet-resistant morcha used by security forces	Useful for protective infrastructure in sensitive locations
IS 17483	Light-Weight Bullet Resistant Helmet	Standard for protective helmets	Improves safety of security personnel
IS 17373	Bullet Resistant Glass	Specifies performance requirements for bullet-resistant glass	Used in security vehicles, buildings and sensitive installations
IS 15844	Unmanned Aerial Vehicle related equipment / application context	Linked with testing and standardisation needs in drone ecosystem	Relevant for surveillance, public safety and emergency response
IS 16733	CCTV Surveillance System	Requirements for CCTV systems	Useful for urban security, policing and public infrastructure
IS 16270	Alarm Systems	Security alarm systems	Relevant for institutional and public safety infrastructure

Table: IS 19445:2025 — Bomb Disposal Systems

Parameter	Details
Standard Number	IS 19445:2025
Issued By	Bureau of Indian Standards
Subject	Bomb Disposal Systems
Focus Area	Performance evaluation and requirements
Main Objective	To provide a uniform national benchmark for testing and assessing bomb disposal systems
Initiated Following Inputs From	Ministry of Home Affairs and TBRL, DRDO
Expected Benefits	Safety, reliability, quality assurance, standardised procurement and interoperability
Users / Beneficiaries	Police forces, bomb disposal squads, paramilitary forces, security agencies and manufacturers

Table: Institutions Related to Security Standards and Bomb Disposal

Institution	Full Form / Role	Relevance to Topic
BIS	Bureau of Indian Standards	Develops Indian standards for products, systems and processes
MHA	Ministry of Home Affairs	Deals with internal security, police modernisation and coordination with security agencies
DRDO	Defence Research and Development Organisation	Develops defence and strategic technologies
TBRL	Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory	DRDO laboratory working on ballistics, explosives and blast-related research
NSG	National Security Guard	Handles counter-terror and specialised bomb disposal operations
BDDS	Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad	Police/security unit responsible for bomb detection and disposal
CAPFs	Central Armed Police Forces	Important users of standardised security and protective equipment

Table: Commonly Asked Security Equipment and Their Purpose

Equipment / System	Purpose	Why Standardisation Matters
Bomb Disposal System	Detecting, handling, neutralising or disposing explosive devices	Prevents equipment failure and improves operational safety
Bomb Suit	Protects personnel from blast impact and fragments	Ensures minimum protection level
Explosive Detector	Detects traces or presence of explosives	Improves detection reliability
Remote-Controlled Vehicle / Robot	Handles suspicious objects remotely	Reduces risk to personnel
Blast Container	Contains or transports explosive material safely	Prevents uncontrolled damage
Bullet Resistant Jacket	Protects torso from firearm threats	Ensures certified ballistic protection
Bullet Resistant Helmet	Protects head from ballistic threats	Improves survivability of security personnel
Bullet Resistant Glass	Protects vehicles/buildings from bullets	Used in sensitive security installations

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