Maya OS

Facts for Prelims

Maya OS

News: The Defence Ministry has decided to replace the Microsoft Operating System (OS) in all computers connected to the Internet with the Maya Operating System(OS).

What is Maya OS?
•  Maya OS is a new operating system that is based on Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution that uses free and open-source software.
•  It is developed by Ministry of Defence with the help of various government agencies, including the DRDO, the C-DAC, and the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
•  Maya offers a similar interface and functionality as Windows, easing the transition for users.
•  A cybersecurity system called Chakravyuh is being deployed for endpoint detection and protection.

Why switching to Maya OS is important?
•  India’s critical infrastructure has seen numerous cyberattacks and security breaches in recent years. For example, cyberattack on Kudankulum Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in 2019, the Mumbai Power Grid outage in 2020, the ransomware attacks on Oil India Limited and Spice Jet servers in 2022, and the Goa Flood Monitoring System hack.
•  Hence, using an indigenous operating system could not only be a promising step towards securing India’s vital computer systems from malicious actors, but also reduce the country’s reliance on foreign software and enhance its cyber resilience.