The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) mains examination is one of the most esteemed and challenging assessments conducted in India for recruiting candidates into various administrative services. Among the diverse array of subjects covered in this examination, internal security holds paramount importance, reflecting the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its integrity and sovereignty. Over the span of a decade, from 2013 to 2023, the UPSC mains examination has consistently featured questions pertaining to internal security, probing candidates’ understanding of the multifaceted challenges and strategies involved in maintaining law and order within the country’s borders. These questions delve into a wide spectrum of issues, ranging from terrorism and insurgency to cyber threats and communal tensions, demanding candidates to exhibit comprehensive knowledge, critical analysis, and innovative solutions to address the evolving security landscape of India. Thus, the subject-wise internal security questions in the UPSC mains serve as a litmus test for aspirants’ grasp of national security concerns and their ability to formulate effective policies in ensuring the safety and stability of the nation.
2023
- Winning of Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunition, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.
- What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.
- Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022.
2022
- Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels.
- What are the maritime security challenges in India ? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security.
- What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy.
- Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discussing the emerging issues is a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.
2021
- Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.
- Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.
- Analyse the multidimensıonal challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats.
- Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
2020
- Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace.
- For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals.
- What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas?
- Analyse 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.
2019
- The banning of “Jamaat-e-Islami” in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs.
- What is Cyber Dome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India.
- Indian Government has recently strengthened the anti-terrorism laws by amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyse the changes in the context of prevailing security environment while discussing the scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations.
- Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges.
2018
- The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.
- Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.
- Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber-crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyberspace?
- India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same?
2017
- Discuss the potential threats of Cyber-attack and the security framework to prevent it.
- The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.
- Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.
- The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest curbing this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?
2016
- The terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.
- ‘Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.” Analyse the above statement.
- Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.
- Use of internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major security concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.
2015
- Discuss the advantage and security implication of cloud hosting of server’s vis-a-vis in house machine-based hosting for government business.
- Human right activists constantly highlight the fact that the Armed forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human right abuses by security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists. Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by Apex Court.
- Religious indoctrination via social media has resulted in Indian youth joining ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous to the internal security of our country?
- The persisting drives of the government for the development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements. With Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the Left-Wing Extremism(LWE) doctrine that affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth.
- Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a “Digital Armed Forces” to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation.
2014
- “The diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which is seen in her neighbourhood? Discuss along with strategies to be adopted to counter this environment.
- International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory. What do you understand about ‘airspace’? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat.
- How does illegal transborder migration pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bringing out the factors which give impetus to such migration.
- In 2012, the longitudinal marking for high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65 degrees east to 78 degrees east in the Arabian Sea by the International Maritime Organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns?
- China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What threat does this pose for India’s security? Critically examine.
2013
- Money laundering poses a serious threat to a country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace?
- What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present?
- Cyber warfare is considered by some defence analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand about Cyber warfare? Outline the cyber threats which India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with the same.
- Article 244 of Indian Constitution relates to Administration of Scheduled areas and Tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of fifth schedule on the growth of Left-Wing Extremism.
- How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
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