UPSC CSE 2026 Essay Paper Discussion
GS Paper 3 15 marks · 250w 14 min Medium

Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.

Subtopic: Internal Security · Border management

Model answer outline

How to structure your answer

Introduction: borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan (incl. LoC) as varied security challenges → threat profile on each front → role of security forces on each → measures for management → Conclusion: technology-plus-diplomacy approach.
Full model answer

Written within the word limit

156 words · target 250 words · 14 min

India's eastern and western borders present distinct internal-security and transborder-crime challenges shaped by terrain, porosity and hostile actors.

Threats by frontier

  • Myanmar: movement of north-eastern insurgent groups, drug trafficking from the Golden Triangle, and arms and gold smuggling, aided by the earlier Free Movement Regime.
  • Bangladesh: illegal migration, cattle and fake-currency (FICN) smuggling, human trafficking and a porous riverine boundary.
  • Pakistan and the LoC: cross-border terrorism, infiltration, narco-terrorism, drone-dropped arms and drugs, and counterfeit currency.

Role of security forces

  • Assam Rifles guards the Myanmar border and aids counter-insurgency in the North-East.
  • Border Security Force (BSF) mans the Bangladesh and Pakistan international boundaries.
  • The Army holds the Line of Control against infiltration, backed by BSF in some sectors.

Measures

  • Smart fencing under CIBMS, anti-drone systems, and review of the Free Movement Regime with Myanmar.
  • Better border infrastructure, riverine patrolling and intelligence coordination through MAC.

A blend of surveillance technology, capable forces and neighbourhood diplomacy is essential to secure these frontiers.

Key points

What an examiner expects to see

  • Myanmar border: NE insurgents, Golden Triangle drugs, arms/gold smuggling; Free Movement Regime a concern
  • Bangladesh border: illegal migration, cattle and FICN smuggling, human trafficking, porous riverine terrain
  • Pakistan/LoC: terrorism, infiltration, narco-terrorism, drone drops and counterfeit currency
  • Assam Rifles guards Myanmar frontier and aids NE counter-insurgency
  • BSF mans Bangladesh and Pakistan international borders; Army holds the LoC
  • CIBMS smart fencing, anti-drone grids and border infrastructure as key measures
  • Intelligence sharing (MAC) and neighbourhood diplomacy complement physical security
Examples to use

Concrete cases, schemes and judgments

  • Free Movement Regime with Myanmar scrapped and border fencing announced (2024)
  • Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) pilots on Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Pak borders
  • Rising drone-dropped narcotics and arms interceptions along the Punjab border
  • Assam Rifles ('Sentinels of the North-East') and BSF as designated border-guarding forces
Keywords / terms

Terminology to weave into the answer

CIBMS smart fencingFree Movement Regimenarco-terrorismAssam Rifles and BSFLine of Controlfake Indian currency notes

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