The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Internal Security Notes serve as an indispensable resource for aspirants preparing for one of the most challenging and prestigious examinations in India, the Civil Services Examination. These meticulously crafted notes delve into the intricate domain of internal security, a critical aspect of governance that encompasses safeguarding the nation from internal threats and challenges. Aspirants undertaking the UPSC journey recognize the paramount importance of mastering this subject, given its relevance to contemporary issues and the evolving landscape of security concerns. The UPSC Internal Security Notes provide a comprehensive and insightful guide, offering candidates a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of internal security, encompassing issues such as terrorism, insurgency, cyber threats, and socio-political unrest. With a focus on conceptual clarity and real-world applicability, these notes become an invaluable tool for candidates seeking success in the Civil Services Examination and, more importantly, aspiring to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s security apparatus.
| Topic | Sub – Topic |
| Introduction to Cyber Security | Cyberspace |
| Cyberthreats – Cyber Crime/ Cyber Attacks, Cyber terrorism, Cyber warfare, Cyber Espionage, Main Cyber players and their motives | |
| Importance of CyberspaceChallenges in Defending Cyberspace | |
| Cybersecurity in India | Current Situation. |
| Steps taken by Government in Cybersecurity | |
| Legal Framework | |
| National Cybersecurity Policy 2013 | |
| Information Technology Act 2000 (As Amended in 2008) | |
| Criticisms of the Information Technology Act | |
| Draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines (Amendment) Rules) 2018 to deal with cyber crimes | |
| National Digital Communication Policy, 2018 | |
| Institutional Framework | National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) |
| India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) | |
| National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) | |
| Indian Cyber-Crime Coordination Centre and Cyber Warrior Police Force | |
| Cyber Swachchta Kendra (CSK). | |
| Other Measures – Digital Army Programme, Cooperation with other countries, Audit of government websites and applications, Formulation of Crisis Management Plan for countering cyber attacks, TechSagar Platform, Training of Information Security Personnel. | |
| Challenges to Cybersecurity in India | Structural |
| Administrative | |
| Human Resource Related | |
| Procedural | |
| Towards a new Cyber Strategy | Need for a new strategy for India |
| Global Cyber Strategy | Need of a global strategy – Key Components |
| Why should India not join these Global Efforts? | |
| Why should India join these Global Efforts? | |
| Global initiatives | |
| Way Forward | |
| Miscellaneous | Ransomware Cyber Attacks |
| Issue of Encryption in India | |
| The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Current Data Protection Regime in India – Key Aspects, Criticism, Way Forward | |
| Edge Computing and Cloud Computing- Benefits, Challenges | |
| Recent Challenges | |
| Communication Network | What is Communication Network |
| Role of Communication Network in Today’s World | |
| Special Case – Communication Network in the Smart City | |
| Types of threats to Communication Networks – Natural, Human Induced(Classification of Human Threat Actors) | |
| Examples of security threats to the Communication Networks | |
| Importance of Securing Communication Networks and its challenges | |
| Building a Risk Management Strategy | Understanding Risk, Need for a Risk Management Strategy, Building an Effective Risk Management Strategy. |
| Recent Developments | WannaCry Malware, Hybrid Warfare, 5G and Internal Security, Steps taken by the Government |
| Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism | Concepts and Definitions – Terrorism Extremism and Radicalisation |
| India’s Internal Security Situation – Left Wing Extremism (Naxalism) in India | sci |
| Objective of LWE in India, Strategy of the Naxal Movement, Key aspects of Maoists Functioning | |
| Causes for Spread of Left Extremism – Land issues, Displacement and Forced Evictions, Livelihood Related Causes, Social Exclusion, Governance Related Factors. | |
| Factors that Sustain the Movement – An Appealing Ideology, Organisational Strength of Extremists Groups, Funding Sources, Continuous Availability of Recruits, Lack of an Adequately Assessed and Coordinated Response from the Government. | |
| The Government of India’s Approach (SAMADHAN), Review & Monitoring Mechanisms, Schemes for LWE States, | |
| State’s Response: An Analysis of the Counter-insurgency efforts and its Outcomes. | |
| Reasons for the decline in Violence and Challenges persisting for the government, | |
| Important trends and the state of play with regard to LWE in India in 2023 and Way Forward | |
| India’s Internal Security Situation -North-East Insurgency | Causes of Insurgency and Reasons for the Existence of the Armed Ethnic Groups – Political motivation, Availability of Arms, Popular support base, Geographical terrain, External Support etc. |
| Strategy and Nature of these Outfits | |
| Government Initiatives – What Needs to be Done | |
| Miscellaneous Issues – Assam NRC, Naga Peace Talks, Bodoland Issue, Cross Border Linkages in NE Insurgency, Bezbaruah Committee recommendations on racial discrimination against NE Indians in metros. | |
| India’s Internal Security Situation – Jammu and Kashmir Insurgency | Two Dimensions of the Kashmir Conundrum |
| Reasons for J & K Insurgency – Rigging of 1987 Assembly elections, ISI’s role, Mujahideen influence, Sense of Alienation, Humanitarian abuses | |
| Government’s Approach Towards Insurgency in J & K | |
| Challenges faced by the region | |
| Why has Militancy failed in Kashmir? | |
| Removal of Article 370 and its Assessmen | |
| Supreme Court ruling on Internet shutdowns in the region | |
| Miscellaneous – Kashmiri Pandit Tragedy, Role of Over Ground Workers (OGWs), Hybrid Terrorism, Drug Trafficking Issues. | |
| Way forward | |
| Linkages of Organised Crime with Terrorism | What is Organised Crime |
| Characteristics of organized Crime – Characteristics of the Criminal Group, Protectors, Organised Crime Support | |
| Types of organized Crime – Drug Trafficking, Smuggling, Hawala & Money Laundering, Human Trafficking – Kidnapping, Prostitution, Arms Trafficking, Contract Killings | |
| Similarities and Differences between organized Crime and Terrorism | |
| Financing Terrorism, Narco-Terrorism,Human Traficking and Terrorism, Intellectual Property Crime and Terrorism | |
| Linkages in the Indian Context – North-East India, Jammu and Kashmir, Maoist affected regions | |
| Steps taken to tackle organized crime – Indian Initiatives and Global Initiatives | |
| What more needs to be done? | |
| Money Laundering and its Prevention | Introduction – Definitions, Why & How is Money Laundered |
| Various Techniques Used for Money Laundering | |
| Hawala and Money Laundering, Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering | |
| Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and Money laundering | |
| Impact of Money Laundering on Nations | |
| Prevention of Money Laundering | |
| Indian Mechanisms to Combat Money Laundering – Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND), Enforcement Directorate | |
| Global mechanisms to Combat Money Laundering:Vienna Convention The Council of Europe Convention, Basel Committee’s Statement of Principles, The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), United Nations Global Programme against Money Laundering (GPML) | |
| Other Organizations and Initiatives w.r.t Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) | |
| Challenges in Prevention of Money Laundering | |
| Way forward | |
| Role of External State and Non State Actors in creating challenges to internal security | Introduction – Challenges posed by External State Actors and Challenges posed by Non-State actors |
| Terrorism – Framework for defining Terrorism, Classification, State terrorism – Sponsored, Violent Non State Terrorism | |
| History of Terrorism in India – Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab Growth of Hinterland Terrorism in India | |
| Key Issues – Terrorism in the Age of Technology, Terror Financing, Urban Terrorism, Lone-Wolf Attacks, | |
| Use of Terror as a foreign policy instrument by External States – The challenge of IS and Al-Qaeda in India | |
| India’s Counter Terrorism Strategy – India’s preparedness against terrorism, Steps taken by the government, Enabling a strong legislation framework, Institutional framework to tackle terrorism, Combating Terror Finance, India’s Involvement at the UN | |
| Various Global Actions for countering Terrorism | |
| Way Forward – Strengthening the technology framework to deal with extremism, A 360- degree approach, Early prevention and De-Radicalisation, Strengthening the role of the police forces. | |
| Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges | Media – Introduction |
| Role of Media in India | |
| National Security & Media | |
| Existing Regulations and Restrictions | |
| Measures to tackle the threat | |
| Social Media – Introduction | |
| Social Media vs Social Networking | |
| Types of Social Media | |
| National Security & Social Media | |
| Threat to Internal Security & Key Issues | |
| Digital Media Regulation | |
| Media Trials | |
| Data Localisation | |
| Available Checks and Balances: Regulations and Measures to Tackle the Threat | |
| Security Challenges and their management in Border Areas | Introduction – What is Border Management |
| Indo-China Border – Challenges Along the China Border, Recent Border Tensions in Ladakh and North Sikkim, | |
| Initiatives Taken for Effective Border Management and Way Forward | |
| Indo-Pakistan – Challenges Along the Border( Sir Creek Dispute, Siachen Dispute, River water Disputes, Gilgit Baltistan Issue & Other issues) | |
| Initiatives Taken by Government | |
| Indo-Nepal – Challenges Along the Border, Recent Border Dispute | |
| Initiatives Taken for Effective Border Management and Way Forward | |
| Indo-Bhutan – Challenges Along the Border, Recent Issues – Doklam Issue, Border Dispute and Other Issues | |
| Initiatives Taken for Effective Border Management and Way Forward | |
| Indo-Bangladesh – Challenges Along the Border and Recent Issues | |
| Initiatives Taken and way forward | |
| Indo-Myanmar – Challenges at Indo-Myanmar border, Recent Dispute: Border Fencing between BP No.79 and 81 in Moreh | |
| Steps taken by government and Way Ahead | |
| Indo-Sri Lanka – Challenges along the border(katchatheevu Island, Fishermen Issues) | |
| Steps taken by government and Way Ahead | |
| General Recommendations for Better Border Management – | Border Area Development Programme(BADP), Development of Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) |
| Coastal Security – Challenges, Maritime Security & Threats, The Coastal Security Architecture | |
| Custom Marine Organisation(CMO) | |
| The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) | |
| The Marine Police Force | |
| Present Coastal Security System | |
| Initiatives in Coastal Security Architecture and Way forward | |
| Various Security Forces and agencies and their mandate | National Security Architecture of India – Issues in the structure, Suggestions |
| Indian Armed Forces – Integrated Theatre Command, Chief of Defence Staff, Women in Combat Role, Defence Production.. | |
| Central Armed Police Forces – Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB), National Security Guard (NSG), Special Protection Group (SPG), Issues faced by the Armed Police Forces, Police Reforms. | |
| Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) – Assam Riles, Indian Coast Guard, Security Agencies in India | |
| Intelligence Organisations – Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Multi-Agency Center (MAC) |
Internal Security in the UPSC Syllabus
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) syllabus for the Civil Services Examination includes a segment on Internal Security. This portion of the syllabus is intended to assess the candidate’s understanding of internal security challenges and their ability to analyze and suggest solutions. The relevant portion of the syllabus is outlined below:
Paper III: General Studies – II
Topics Covered:
- Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
- Development processes and the development industry – the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighborhood- relations.
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Internal Security: This section includes topics related to internal security challenges faced by the country. Some of the key areas covered are:
- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Preparation Strategy: To prepare for the Internal Security portion of the UPSC syllabus, candidates should focus on:
- Understanding the various dimensions of internal security challenges in India.
- Staying updated on recent developments related to internal security issues.
- Analyzing the role of security forces and agencies in managing internal security challenges.
- Being aware of the impact of external factors on internal security.
- Studying the role of technology, communication networks, and social media in the context of internal security.
- Exploring disaster management policies and practices.
UPSC Internal Security Study Guide
Preparing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination, especially for the Internal Security segment, requires a comprehensive study plan and the right resources. The Internal Security portion is an important part of the General Studies Paper-III. Here’s a study guide to help you prepare for the UPSC Internal Security:
1. Understand the Syllabus:
- Familiarize yourself with the UPSC syllabus for General Studies Paper-III, especially the section related to Internal Security.
2. Books and Study Material:
- Read the recommended textbooks and study materials:
- “Internal Security and Disaster Management” by Ashok Kumar.
- “Challenges to Internal Security of India” by Ashok Kumar.
3. Newspapers and Magazines:
- Stay updated on current affairs by reading newspapers like The Hindu and magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra. Focus on issues related to internal security.
4. Government Reports and Documents:
- Refer to government reports and documents related to internal security, such as reports by the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant departments.
5. Online Resources:
- Explore online resources like PRS India, which provides analysis of bills and policies.
- IDSA (Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses) publishes insightful articles and research papers on security issues.
6. NCERT Books:
- Brush up on your basics by referring to NCERT books on political science and contemporary issues.
7. Previous Year Question Papers:
- Solve previous year question papers to understand the exam pattern and focus areas.
8. Mock Tests:
- Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and improve time management.
9. Current Affairs:
- Stay updated on national and international affairs, as questions in this section often relate to current events.
10. Security Forces and Agencies:
- Understand the roles and functions of various security forces and agencies in India.
11. Government Policies and Initiatives:
- Be well-versed with government policies and initiatives related to internal security.
12. International Relations:
- Understand India’s relations with its neighboring countries, especially in the context of security.
13. Security Threats:
- Study various security threats such as terrorism, insurgency, cyber threats, and communalism.
14. Essay Writing:
- Practice essay writing on topics related to internal security to improve your writing skills.
15. Revision:
- Regularly revise the topics you have covered to ensure better retention.
16. Group Discussions and Interview Preparation:
- Participate in group discussions on current affairs and internal security topics to enhance your communication skills.
17. Coaching and Mentorship:
- Consider joining a coaching institute for guidance, or seek mentorship from experts in the field.
FAQs on UPSC Disaster Management Notes:
Q: Why is Disaster Management an important topic for UPSC exams?
A: Disaster Management is crucial because it assesses a candidate’s understanding of various dimensions related to disasters, including their causes, impact on society, and the measures to mitigate and manage them. It reflects the candidate’s awareness of current affairs, governance issues, and their ability to analyze and propose solutions for challenges related to disasters.
Q: What key topics should be covered in Disaster Management notes for UPSC preparation?
A: Important topics include types of disasters (natural and man-made), their causes, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation strategies. Specific attention should be given to national and international frameworks, government policies, and case studies. Additionally, understanding the role of various stakeholders, including government agencies and NGOs, is essential.
Q: How can I integrate current affairs into my Disaster Management notes for UPSC preparation?
A: Regularly update your notes with recent examples of disasters, both within India and globally. Analyze the government’s response strategies, policy changes, and the role of international organizations. Relate current affairs to the theoretical concepts studied, showcasing your ability to apply knowledge to real-world situations.
Q: Are there any recommended sources or books for UPSC Disaster Management preparation?
A: While there is no specific UPSC-recommended book for Disaster Management, candidates can refer to NCERT textbooks on Geography and Environmental Science for foundational knowledge. Additionally, government reports, international frameworks like the Sendai Framework, and publications by organizations like the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) can be valuable.
Q: How should I approach answer writing for Disaster Management in UPSC mains?
A: Begin by understanding the question thoroughly and organizing your answer logically. Start with an introduction, providing context to the disaster or concept discussed. Follow this with the main body, covering causes, impacts, and relevant strategies. Include statistics, case studies, and examples to support your points. Conclude by summarizing your key arguments and proposing future measures if applicable. Use a balanced and analytical approach to showcase a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
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