Which Operating System Defence Ministry of India has implemented by replacing…

Concept

Operating systems used on sensitive government and defence networks are chosen primarily for security and sovereignty. Many governments move from proprietary foreign operating systems to indigenous, Linux/Unix-based systems so the source code can be audited domestically and the dependency on an external vendor is removed.

Application

India's Ministry of Defence developed an indigenous operating system to replace Microsoft Windows on its internet-connected computers, in order to harden them against cyber and malware threats:

• It is named Maya OS, built on the open-source Ubuntu (Linux) platform.

• It pairs with an end-point detection and protection system called 'Chakravyuh'.

• Roll-out was led by the Ministry of Defence and reported in mid-2023.

Cross-check / Contrast

• Mac OS is Apple's proprietary, foreign operating system, so it would not serve the goal of replacing one foreign vendor's OS with an indigenous one.

• Haiku OS is a hobbyist open-source OS inspired by BeOS, not adopted by the Indian defence establishment.

• Kuku OS is not an operating system associated with the Indian Ministry of Defence.

Hence the indigenous Ubuntu-based system adopted by the Defence Ministry is Maya OS.