DRDO hands over AI-powered 'Prajna' satellite imaging system to Home Ministry
DRDO transferred the AI-driven Prajna satellite imaging system to the Ministry of Home Affairs, giving security agencies an indigenous tool for real-time geospatial intelligence and border surveillance.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) formally handed over an indigenously developed satellite imaging system named 'Prajna' to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at a ceremony in Kartavya Bhawan-3, New Delhi. The system was transferred by the Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development to the Union Home Secretary, with reports of the handover circulating on 22 April 2026.
Prajna has been developed by the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory that specialises in command-control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR). The platform combines high-resolution satellite imagery with AI-based analytics to provide near real-time intelligence to security agencies. It can flag suspicious patterns of movement, monitor remote and border areas, and support counter-terrorism and disaster-response operations.
By using indigenous geospatial intelligence, the platform reduces dependence on foreign commercial satellite imagery providers and keeps sensitive operational data within sovereign systems. It is meant to complement the work of agencies like the Intelligence Bureau, Central Armed Police Forces and state police in volatile regions. The handover continues a pattern of cross-ministry transfer of DRDO products – earlier examples include explosive-detection kits, body armour and unmanned ground vehicles.
Exam angle: Note that Prajna was developed by DRDO's CAIR lab in Bengaluru, is an AI-based satellite imaging system, and is now used by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Banking GA and UPSC Prelims often pair questions on DRDO labs with their specialisations (CAIR – AI and robotics, DRDL – missiles, ADE – aeronautics).
Key Points to Remember
- DRDO handed over the 'Prajna' AI-based satellite imaging system to MHA in late April 2026.
- Developed by DRDO's Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru.
- Combines high-resolution satellite imagery with AI analytics for real-time decision-making.
- Supports border management, counter-terrorism and disaster-response operations.
- Reduces dependence on foreign commercial satellite imagery services.
- Handover ceremony held at Kartavya Bhawan-3, New Delhi.
Exam Relevance
Banking GA, SSC GK and UPSC Prelims on DRDO labs (CAIR), AI in security and indigenous defence-tech. Useful for GS-3 internal security.
Related Articles
India Notifies Use of Ethanol in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
India has notified the use of ethanol to make Sustainable Aviation Fuel, using the alcohol-to-jet …
China Launches Pakistani Earth Observation Satellite PRSC-EO3
China launched a Pakistani Earth observation satellite, PRSC-EO3, from Taiyuan Launch Centre on 26 April …
World Intellectual Property Day 2026: theme is "IP and Sports: Ready, Set, …
Observed on 26 April every year, World Intellectual Property Day in 2026 carries the theme …
Kalpakkam Fast Breeder Reactor attains first criticality, India enters Stage II of …
The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu attained first criticality on …
ISRO and TIFR sign MoU for long-term space-science research partnership
ISRO and TIFR signed an MoU in April 2026 setting up a long-term partnership in …