GS Paper 3 10 marks · 150w 9 min Medium

Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain.

Subtopic: Internal Security · terrorism and counter-terrorism

Model answer outline

How to structure your answer

Introduction (terrorism as a global scourge) → manifestations in India with examples → state counter-measures (legal, institutional, operational) → Conclusion

Full model answer

Written within the word limit

137 words · target 150 words · 9 min

Introduction

Terrorism — the calculated use of violence to instil fear for political or ideological ends — is a transnational threat. In India it has taken multiple forms across regions.

Manifestations in India

Cross-border terrorism: Pakistan-sponsored militancy in Jammu & Kashmir; the 26/11 Mumbai (2008), Pathankot (2016) and Pulwama (2019) attacks.
Left-Wing Extremism: Maoist violence across the 'Red Corridor', though shrinking sharply.
North-East insurgencies with ethnic and secessionist strands.
Radicalisation and lone-wolf threats spread through the internet and social media.

Counter-measures by the State

Legal: the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act.
Institutional: NIA, Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), NATGRID and NSG.
Operational: intelligence-led operations, border fencing, and choking terror-financing via the FATF framework and PMLA.
De-radicalisation and development in affected regions.

Conclusion

A calibrated mix of hard security, robust intelligence, financial choking and community engagement offers the most durable answer to terrorism.

Key points

What an examiner expects to see

Terrorism = calculated violence to instil fear for political/ideological ends
Cross-border terror in J&K; 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, Pulwama attacks
Left-Wing Extremism in the shrinking 'Red Corridor'; North-East insurgencies
Online radicalisation and lone-wolf threats via social media
Legal tools: UAPA, NIA Act; terror-financing curbs via PMLA and FATF
Institutions: NIA, Multi-Agency Centre, NATGRID, NSG
Development, de-radicalisation and community engagement complement hard security

Examples to use

Concrete cases, schemes and judgments

26/11 Mumbai attacks (2008); Pulwama attack (2019)
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the NIA Act, 2008
NATGRID and Multi-Agency Centre for intelligence integration
FATF grey-listing pressure on terror financing

Keywords / terms

Terminology to weave into the answer

terrorismcross-border terrorismUAPANIAterror financingde-radicalisation