Terrorism, insurgency, LWE, cybersecurity, border management, NDMA, disaster types, Sendai Framework — complete GS-3 coverage for UPSC Civil Services
| Threat Type | Nature | Affected Areas | Key Actors/Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrorism (Jihadi/Cross-border) | Pakistan-sponsored; Kashmir-centric; pan-India potential | J&K, Delhi, Mumbai, other cities | LeT, JeM, Hizbul Mujahideen, Al-Qaeda affiliate groups |
| Left Wing Extremism (LWE/Naxalism) | Ideological (Maoist/communist); anti-state violence; targets security forces, officials, infrastructure | Red Corridor: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra | CPI (Maoist) — central leadership; PLGA (armed wing) |
| Northeast Insurgency | Ethnic, sub-nationalist; demand for separate homeland or autonomy | Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya | ULFA, NSCN, Meitei groups (UNLF, PREPAK), Bodo groups (NDFB) |
| Cybersecurity Threats | State and non-state actors; ransomware, espionage, critical infrastructure attacks | National; financial systems, power grids, defence | Nation-state hackers (China, Pakistan, N. Korea); cybercriminals |
| Drug Trafficking | Golden Crescent (Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran), Golden Triangle (Myanmar-Thailand-Laos); Punjab corridor | Punjab, J&K, Northeast, coastal states | Transnational criminal organisations, local networks |
| Organised Crime | Underworld, money laundering, human trafficking, counterfeit currency (FICN) | Mumbai, Delhi NCR, UP, coastal regions | D-Company (Dawood), local crime syndicates |
| Communal Violence | Hindu-Muslim, inter-caste tensions; often politically triggered | UP, Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat | Non-state actors; political mobilisation |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | UNOCT: Use of violence/threat against civilians to achieve political/ideological goals; no universally agreed UN definition |
| Types | Jihadist/religious; ethno-nationalist; left-wing (Naxal); right-wing (white supremacist abroad); state-sponsored; lone-wolf; cyberterrorism |
| Causes | Ideology, poverty/marginalisation, political grievance, foreign sponsorship, radicalisation online, identity politics, failure of governance |
| Kashmir Terrorism | Pakistan-sponsored since 1989; ISI-supported groups; cross-LoC infiltration; local recruitment; Article 370 abrogation (2019) changed dynamics; decline in violence post-2020 |
| Law / Institution | Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) | 1967, amended 2004, 2008, 2019 | Banning organisations; designating individuals as terrorists (2019 amendment); stringent bail conditions; UAPA tribunals; NIA investigates |
| National Investigation Agency (NIA) | 2008 | Central counter-terrorism agency; pan-India jurisdiction; investigates UAPA, NDPS, WMD cases; HQ New Delhi |
| FATF (Financial Action Task Force) | 1989 (international) | Anti-money laundering + counter-terrorist financing; greylists Pakistan; India member; PMLA linked |
| NSG (National Security Guard) | 1984 | "Black Cats"; counter-terrorism; hostage rescue; VVIP protection; under MHA; 26/11 response |
| RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) | 1968 | India's external intelligence; PM's office control; foreign intelligence, counter-intelligence |
| IB (Intelligence Bureau) | 1887 | Internal intelligence; domestic counter-terrorism; input to NTRO; under MHA |
| NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation) | 2004 | Technical intelligence; signals, imagery, cyber intelligence; under NSA |
| Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) | 2001 | Intelligence fusion after Kargil; all agencies share inputs; SMAC (state-level) |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | 1967 — Naxalbari uprising (Siliguri, West Bengal); Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal; "spring thunder over India" (Beijing Radio) |
| Ideology | Maoist/Marxist-Leninist; protracted people's war; annihilation of class enemies; state power through armed struggle |
| Red Corridor | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar — max affected; declining from 10 states to ~6 |
| Social Base | Tribal communities, landless labourers, marginalised forest dwellers; grievances: displacement, forest rights denial, bonded labour, non-implementation of laws |
| CPI (Maoist) | Formed 2004 (merger of CPI-ML People's War + MCCI); Central Committee; PLGA (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army) armed wing; banned under UAPA |
| Tactics | IED attacks, ambushes, jan adalats (people's courts), mass mobilisation, extortion, destruction of infrastructure |
| Government Response | SAMADHAN strategy (Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard-based KPIs, Harnessing Technology, Action plan for each theatre, No access to financing/supplies); CRPF CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action); development schemes (PMGSY roads; mobile connectivity) |
| Status | Significant decline: LWE deaths — from 1000+ (2009–10) to ~200 (2022); shrinking geographical spread; Andhra Pradesh, Telangana largely LWE-free |
| State | Key Groups | Status / Peace Talks |
|---|---|---|
| Nagaland | NSCN-IM (Isak-Muivah); NSCN-K; lesser factions | NSCN-IM ceasefire (1997); Framework Agreement with GoI 2015 (Naga political solution); Naga Accord still being finalised; NSCN-K (anti-ceasefire) |
| Assam | ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam); NDFB (Bodo factions) | ULFA(P) — pro-talks faction; peace talks since 2011; Bodo Accord 2020 — NDFB factions surrendered; Bodoland Territorial Council strengthened |
| Manipur | UNLF, PREPAK, PLA (Meitei groups); KCP; Kuki insurgent groups (post-2023 conflict) | Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflict since May 2023 — 200+ deaths; AFSPA applicable; peace elusive |
| Tripura | NLFT, ATTF | Largely peaceful now; BTC (Bru-Reang agreement 2020 — settlement of Bru migrants from Mizoram) |
| Mizoram | MNF (historical) | Peaceful — Mizo Accord 1986 (Rajiv Gandhi–Laldenga); model peace settlement |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Act | AFSPA 1958 (NE); AFSPA 1990 (J&K) |
| Powers | Armed forces can: search without warrant; arrest without warrant; shoot to kill on reasonable suspicion; no prosecution without Centre's sanction |
| Application | Governor/Centre declares "disturbed area"; applies in Nagaland, Manipur (partial lifted 2023), J&K, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Controversies | Irom Sharmila's 16-year fast (2000–2016) demanding repeal in Manipur; Manorama killing (2004); NHRC criticism; Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) — repeal recommended but not implemented |
| Supreme Court | Naga People's Movement (1998) — upheld AFSPA but with safeguards; Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (2016) — extrajudicial killings not protected even under AFSPA |
| Border | Length | Challenges | Forces / Infrastructure |
|---|---|---|---|
| India-Pakistan (LoC + IB) | 3,323 km total | Cross-border terrorism; infiltration; Jammu border vulnerabilities; tunnels; drones | BSF; Army; fencing (Border Fencing Project); CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System); sensors, cameras, flood-lighting |
| India-Bangladesh | 4,096 km (longest) | Illegal migration (Rohingya, economic migration); cattle smuggling; FICN (fake currency); drug trafficking | BSF; CIBMS; smart fencing project; Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) with Bangladesh |
| India-China (LAC) | 3,488 km (undemarcated) | Three disputed sectors; Chinese infrastructure build-up; PLA incursions; buffer zones | ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police); Army; BRO (Border Roads Organisation) — accelerated road building; Vibrant Villages Programme (2023) |
| India-Myanmar | 1,643 km | Insurgents using Myanmar bases (NSCN-K, Arakan Army); drugs; arms; refugees post-2021 coup | Assam Rifles; Free Movement Regime (FMR) suspended 2024; border fencing proposed |
| India-Nepal | 1,751 km | Open border (1950 Treaty); smuggling; terrorists using route; FICN | SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal); Open border — challenge and opportunity |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Threats | Ransomware (AIIMS Delhi 2022 attack); phishing; APT (Advanced Persistent Threats); critical infrastructure attacks (power grid); data theft; deepfakes; election interference |
| Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) | Power, banking, telecom, transport, nuclear — incapacitation causes national security threat; protected under IT Act Section 70 |
| CERT-In | Computer Emergency Response Team — India; under MeitY; national nodal agency; incident reporting (6-hour rule); cybersecurity advisories |
| NCIIPC | National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre; under NTRO; protects CII sectors |
| IT Act 2000 (amended 2008) | Legal framework; Section 66A (struck down by SC 2015 — Shreya Singhal case); Section 69 (surveillance powers); Section 70 (protected systems); cybercrime provisions |
| DPDP Act 2023 | Digital Personal Data Protection Act; consent-based data processing; Data Protection Board; right to erasure; obligations on Data Fiduciaries |
| National Cyber Security Policy 2013 | Outdated; new comprehensive policy being developed; 5-year roadmap; 500,000 cybersecurity professionals target |
| Budapest Convention | Council of Europe convention on cybercrime; India NOT a signatory (sovereignty concerns); China, Russia also not members |
| SCO-RATS, INTERPOL | Multilateral cybercrime cooperation; India member |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| MCOCA | Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act 1999 — extended to Delhi; used against organised crime, terrorism; wire-tap evidence admissible |
| PMLA 2002 | Prevention of Money Laundering Act; ED (Enforcement Directorate) implements; attachment and confiscation of proceeds of crime; FATF compliance |
| FICN | Fake Indian Currency Notes — counterfeit ₹2000, ₹500; Pakistan ISI-D Company nexus; NIA investigates; demonetization impact mixed |
| Hawala | Informal money transfer system; used for terrorist financing; FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulates; ED, IB investigate |
| Drug Trafficking | NDPS Act 1985; NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau); Golden Crescent route (Pakistan → Punjab); Golden Triangle route (Myanmar → NE); sea route (Gujarat coast) |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| DM Act 2005 | National Disaster Management Act; created NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) under PM; SDMA (State — CM); DDMA (District — DM/Collector); NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) |
| NDMA | National Disaster Management Authority; PM as ex-officio chairman; 8 members; lays down policies, plans, guidelines |
| NDRF | National Disaster Response Force; 16 battalions (from CAPFs); specialised rescue/relief; deployed across country; trained for various disaster types |
| SDMA | State Disaster Management Authority; CM chairs; state-specific disaster plans; state disaster response funds (SDRF) — funded 75% Centre, 25% state (NE: 90-10) |
| NDRF Funding | National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) — Union List; contributions from states; PM's Relief Fund separate |
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 2015; successor to Hyogo Framework (2005–2015); agreed at 3rd UN World Conference on DRR (Sendai, Japan) |
| 4 Priorities | 1. Understanding disaster risk; 2. Strengthening disaster risk governance; 3. Investing in DRR for resilience; 4. Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response |
| 7 Global Targets (by 2030) | Reduce mortality; reduce number of affected people; reduce economic losses; reduce critical infrastructure damage; increase national/local DRR strategies; enhance cooperation; increase early warning/information systems |
| India's Contribution | Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) launched by PM Modi at UN Climate Summit 2019; infrastructure standards; HQ New Delhi |
| Type | Definition | India Examples / Hotspots |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | Seismic event; measured on Richter scale; India has 59% area in seismic zones III–V | Bhuj 2001 (7.7 magnitude); Uttarkashi 1991; Nepal 2015 (Bihar affected); Himalayan belt, NE — high risk |
| Flood | Excess water inundation; riverine, flash, coastal, urban flooding | Assam (Brahmaputra floods annual); Bihar (Kosi); Kerala floods 2018; Uttarakhand 2013 (Kedarnath flash flood); Chennai 2015 urban flood |
| Cyclone | Tropical storm; Bay of Bengal (NE monsoon) and Arabian Sea; IMD tracks | Odisha-AP coast: Amphan (2020), Fani (2019 — 1.2 mn evacuated), Phailin (2013); Cyclone Biparjoy (2023 — Gujarat) |
| Drought | Rainfall deficit >50% in a season; meteorological, hydrological, agricultural | Marathwada (Maharashtra); Vidarbha; Bundelkhand; PMKSY; crop insurance (PMFBY) |
| Tsunami | Seismic sea wave; triggered by underwater earthquake/volcanic eruption | Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004 (2.3 lakh deaths globally; India: Tamil Nadu, Andaman, Andhra Pradesh — 12,000+); Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS) set up after 2004 |
| Landslide | Mass movement of earth; triggered by rain, earthquake, deforestation | Himalayas (monsoon season); Western Ghats (Kerala landslides 2018, 2019, Wayanad 2024 — 200+ deaths) |
| Heat Wave | Prolonged period of excessively hot weather; India: 40°C+ plains, 45°C+ with high humidity = wet bulb temperatures critical | Telangana, AP, Rajasthan, UP — recurring; increasing with climate change; NDMA heat action plans |
| Chemical/Industrial | BLEVE, toxic gas release, chemical spill; NDMA guidelines | Bhopal Gas Tragedy 1984 (MIC gas; Union Carbide; 2000+ immediate deaths; worst industrial disaster); Vizag gas leak 2020 (LG Polymers; styrene gas; 12 deaths) |
| Nuclear | Radiation release; AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) governs; Radiological Disaster Management Plan | No major nuclear disaster in India; NDMA nuclear disaster guidelines; AERB oversight |
| Sector | Agency | Key Threats and Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Power Grid | MoP, POSOCO, CEA | Cyber attacks (2021 Mumbai power outage linked to Chinese APT group); SCADA system vulnerabilities; redundancy; National Power Grid Security Policy |
| Nuclear Installations | AERB, DAE | Physical security; CISF guard; cyber separation; IAEA safeguards |
| Financial System | RBI, SEBI, IRDAI | Cyber fraud; systemic risk; payment system security; CERT-In guidelines for financial sector |
| Telecom | DoT, TRAI | Data interception; 5G security (Huawei exclusion); IMEI tracking; spectrum management security |
| Space | ISRO, NTRO | Satellite jamming; anti-satellite weapons (ASAT); Mission Shakti (2019 — India tested ASAT capability) |
| Aviation | DGCA, BCAS, CISF | Drone threats; BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security); anti-drone systems at airports |
| Challenge | Key Facts | Legal/Institutional Response |
|---|---|---|
| Radicalization / Online Radicalization | ISIS, Al-Qaeda propaganda via social media; recruitment of Indian youth (Kerala, Hyderabad cases); "infodemic" threat | NIA; MHA Counter Radicalization Cell; CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) programmes; deradicalisation |
| Drone Threats | Pakistan-origin drones carrying weapons/drugs to Punjab, J&K; Jammu Air Force base drone attack (2021) | Anti-drone systems (C-UAS); DRDO NETRA; Drone Rules 2021; RPAs |
| Disinformation / Fake News | WhatsApp misinformation leading to mob violence; election interference; deepfakes | IT Rules 2021; PIB Fact Check; Social media platform accountability; IT Amendment Act 2023 (Fact Check Units — SC stayed) |
| Proxy War | State-sponsored sub-conventional warfare; Pakistan's ISI using non-state actors; plausible deniability; 26/11 model | Diplomatic pressure; NSG; NIA investigations; international sanctions pressure (FATF) |
| Radicalisation of Prisons | Prisons as incubators of extremism; inter-gang violence; jailbreaks | De-radicalisation programmes; prison reforms; NHRC guidelines; Prison Act 1894 (outdated) |