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BGP Hijacking, Friendshoring & Omega Block: 3 Key UPSC Concepts with Prelims MCQ

Science & TechEconomyEnvironmentIntl. RelationsSecurity & DefenceSUPPORT
Target:UPSCMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
30 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:$1.2T US trade with Canada & Mexico (2021) – nearshoring example72% organisations looking to reshore/nearshore (Capgemini)Telegram ban until June 22 (2026)
Bodies:National Testing Agency (NTA)UK Met OfficeWorld Economic ForumWTOTelegram
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.BGP hijacking is a cyberattack where internet traffic is misdirected by falsely advertising routes; Telegram's temporary ban involved this method.

2.Friendshoring refers to rerouting supply chains to politically safe countries, contrasting with nearshoring/reshoring/offshoring, and raises risks of deglobalization.

3.An Omega Block, shaped like Greek letter Ω, is a stationary high-pressure system trapping heat, causing heatwaves; urban heat islands exacerbate the effect.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The article covers three important concepts for UPSC: BGP hijacking (cyber security threat behind Telegram ban), friendshoring (supply chain strategy to allied nations amid geopolitical tensions), and omega block (weather pattern causing heat dome over Europe). Each is connected to current events and requires conceptual clarity for Prelims and Mains.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

BGP Stands forBorder Gateway Protocol
Friendshoring DefinitionSupply chains to politically allied safe countries
Omega Block ShapeGreek letter Ω (high pressure between two lows)
Telegram Ban Requested byNational Testing Agency (NTA)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›BGP Stands for: Border Gateway Protocol
  • ›Friendshoring Definition: Supply chains to politically allied safe countries
  • ›Target this Concept: BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) – the internet's routing system between Autonomous Systems.
  • ›Target this Term: Friendshoring – rerouting supply chains to politically safe allies (not nearshoring).
  • ›Target this Term: Omega Block – high pressure between two lows, shape like Greek letter Ω.
  • ›Target this Data: Telegram ban requested by NTA until June 22 (2026).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which protocol is used by internet networks to exchange routing information between Autonomous Systems?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. BGP hijacking involves falsely advertising a route to divert internet traffic.

2. Friendshoring is the relocation of supply chains primarily to geographically neighbouring countries to reduce transportation costs.

3. An Omega Block is characterised by a persistent high-pressure system sandwiched between two low-pressure systems.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

According to the article, what is the shape that gives the Omega Block its name?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary risk associated with friendshoring as highlighted in the article?

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