Public Section Preview
Predicted Questions with Model Answers
Q1 (5 marks — 50 words): What is the NIA? State its establishment and key powers.
Model Answer:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was established under the NIA Act, 2008 in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks as India's central counter-terrorism investigative body under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Key powers: (1) Pan-India jurisdiction — can investigate scheduled offences (UAPA, Explosive Substances Act, etc.) in any state without state consent; (2) Property attachment without prior sanction; (3) Prosecution in Special NIA Courts with 95%+ conviction rate. NIA has registered 600+ cases and designated 1,000+ individuals under UAPA.
Q2 (5 marks — 50 words): Write a note on Left-Wing Extremism (Naxalism) in India. What is its current status?
Model Answer:
Left-Wing Extremism (Naxalism) originates from the 1967 Naxalbari peasant uprising in West Bengal (led by Charu Majumdar). The CPI (Maoist), formed in 2004, is the primary armed group with ideology of violent overthrow of the "semi-feudal" Indian state. At peak (2009–10), LWE affected 106 districts in 10 states. By 2025, affected districts reduced to ~18–20 (90% decline) due to SAMADHAN policy, CRPF Cobras, improved road connectivity, and Forest Rights Act implementation.
Q3 (5 marks — 50 words): What is UAPA? State the significance of its 2019 amendment.
Model Answer:
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 is India's primary anti-terrorism legislation, allowing investigation and prosecution of terrorism, secessionism, and militant activities. Offences under UAPA carry up to life imprisonment or death. The 2019 amendment added a significant power: the Central Government can designate individuals as terrorists (not just organisations) under the First Schedule without conviction. Critics argue this could suppress dissent; supporters contend it helps track financiers and recruiters who escape organisational designation.
Q4 (10 marks — 150 words): Examine India's major internal security challenges and the institutional mechanisms to address them.
Model Answer:
India faces a multi-dimensional internal security challenge requiring layered institutional responses:
Left-Wing Extremism (LWE): Once spanning 106 districts (2009–10), Naxal-affected area reduced to ~18–20 districts by 2025 through SAMADHAN policy — combining CRPF Cobras (special jungle warfare units), NDRF disaster response, infrastructure penetration (PM Gram Sadak Yojana), Forest Rights Act (2006), and surrender-rehabilitation schemes.
Northeast Insurgencies: 220+ armed groups historically; managed through AFSPA (enabling special powers), peace negotiations (Naga Framework Agreement 2015), and developmental interventions. Bru-Reang settlement (2020) permanently rehabilitated 37,000 refugees. Manipur ethnic crisis (2023) — 200+ killed in Meitei-Kuki-Zo conflict — shows persistent challenge.
J&K Terrorism: Post-Article 370 abrogation (2019), militant incidents reduced significantly. But hybrid militancy (local civilian recruitment) and cross-border infrastructure continue. Operation Sindoor (May 2025) — precision strikes on 9 Pakistani terror camps following Pahalgam attack (26 killed) — marked India's most significant counter-terrorism action since 2019 Balakot strikes.
Cyber Threats: AIIMS Delhi ransomware (2022 — servers down 5 days) and documented Chinese APT intrusions into power grids highlight critical infrastructure vulnerability. CERT-In (6-hour reporting mandate) and NCIIPC (critical infrastructure protection) are the primary agencies; Phase III e-Courts and health IT systems require dedicated cybersecurity frameworks.
Institutional Mechanisms: NIA (central investigative agency — NIA Act 2008), CAPFs (CRPF 3.25 lakh, BSF 2.65 lakh), IB-led Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), NSG hubs (5 cities post-26/11), and UAPA as primary legal framework.
Challenge: Police Act 1861 (colonial) still governs state police; Prakash Singh SC directives (2006) on police reforms under-implemented.
Q5 (5 marks — 50 words): What is Operation Sindoor? State its significance for India's counter-terrorism doctrine.
Model Answer:
Operation Sindoor (7 May 2025) was India's precision military operation targeting 9 terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — including JeM headquarters (Bahawalpur) and LeT facility (near Muzaffarabad) — in response to the Pahalgam terror attack (22 April 2025) in which 26 tourists were killed. Conducted by Indian Air Force and Army, using precision-guided munitions, avoiding Pakistani military targets. Significance: Demonstrates India's proactive counter-terrorism doctrine — terrorists will face consequences regardless of borders; marks second major cross-border operation after 2019 Balakot strikes.
Q6 (5 marks — 50 words): Distinguish between CRPF, BSF, and NSG — their roles and deployment.
Model Answer:
CRPF (est. 1939): India's largest CAPF (~3.25 lakh); deployed for internal security — LWE areas (Cobras), J&K (anti-militancy), election duty. BSF (est. 1965): Guards India-Pakistan (3,323 km) and India-Bangladesh (4,156 km) borders; anti-infiltration and anti-smuggling; also deployed in J&K counter-militancy. NSG (est. 1984): Elite Black Cat Commandos; specialised urban counter-terrorism, anti-hijacking, VIP protection; NSG Hubs in 5 cities for rapid deployment.