UPSC Mains Topic-Wise Previous Year Questions – Challenges to India’s Security

The UPSC Mains Topic-Wise Previous Year Questions on Challenges to India’s Security. Uncover the multifaceted dimensions of security challenges, ranging from geopolitical complexities to internal threats, providing aspiring UPSC candidates with a nuanced understanding of the issues shaping India’s security landscape. This comprehensive overview equips candidates with the knowledge necessary to navigate this critical domain in their pursuit of success in the UPSC examination.

External Security Challenges & Related Matters

1. Differentiate between Collective security and Cooperative security. (2000, 2 Marks)
2. Explain the problem of infiltration in eastern parts of India. (2001, 2 Marks)
3. Write about Terrorism its Sources in Pakistan and Afghanistan. (2006, 15 Marks)
4. What, in your opinion, are the causes of terrorism? Suggest suitable measures to deal with the threat of terrorism in India. (250 words) (2008, 30 Marks)
5. Highlight the role of the Indian peacekeeping contingent as part of MONUSCO. (2010, 5 Marks)
6. Discuss the measures taken by the Indian government to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean.(2011,12 Marks)
7. International civil aviation laws provide all countries with complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory. What do you understand by ‘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. (2014, 12 Marks)
8. How does illegal transborder migration pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bringing out the factors that give impetus to such migration. (2014, 12 Marks)
9. 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 Organization. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns? (2014, 12 Marks)
10. China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for the development of an economic corridor. What threat does this pose for India’s security? Critically examine. (2014, 12 Marks)
11. The North-East 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. (150 words) (2017, 10 Marks)
12. The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding? (250 words) (2017, 15 Marks)
13. 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. (2018, 10 Marks)
14. 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 counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (2018, 15 Marks)
15. The 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. (250 words) (2019, 15 Marks)
16. Analyse the multidimensional 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. (250 words) (2021, 15 Marks)
17. Discuss the types of organized crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels. (150 words) (2022, 10 Marks)
18. What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organizational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security. (150 words) (2022, 10 Marks)

Internal Security Challenges

Internal Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas

1. Examine the demand for greater state autonomy and also its impact on the smooth functioning of the Indian polity. (250 words) (2000, 30 Marks)
2. Discuss India’s policy towards international terrorism. (in (20 words) (2003,2 Marks)
3. Why is there a demand for making Uttarakhand a separate Hill State in India? (1997, 15 Marks)
4. Examine the demand for greater state autonomy and its impact on the smooth functioning of Indian polity. (150 words) (2008, 15 Marks)
5. Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to the administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyse the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the Fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism. [200 words) (2013, 10 Marks)
6. “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 neighborhood.” Discuss along with strategies to be adopted to counter this environment. (2014, 12½ Marks)
7. 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-affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth. (2015, 12 Marks)
8. 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. (2016, 12 Marks)
9. Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the county. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE. (2018, 10 Marks)
10. The banning of ‘Jamaat-e-Islaami’ 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 influence of OGWs. (150 words) (2019, 10 Marks)
11. For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favorable perception among locals. (150 words) (2020, 10 Marks)
12. 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. (250 words) (2020, 15 Marks)
13. What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (250 words) (2020, 15 Marks)
14. Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism. (250 words) (2022, 15 Marks)
15. 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. (250 words) (2023, 10 Marks)
16. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across borders to ferry arms/ammunition, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat. (250 words) (2023,10 Marks )
17. 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. (250 words) (2023,15 Marks)

Role of Media and Networking Sites/Cyber Securities/Money Laundering & its Prevention

1. Write about Cyber-terrorism.(2005, 2 Marks)
2. Money laundering poses a serious security 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? (200 words) (13, 10 Marks)
3. What are social networking sites and what security Implications do these sites present? (200 words) (2013, 10 Marks)
4. Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyberwarfare? Outline the cyber threats that India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with the same. (200 words) (2013, 10 Marks)
5. Religious indoctrination via digital media has resulted in Indian youth joining the ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous for the internal security of our country? (2015, 12 Marks)
6. Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a “Digital Armed Force” to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation. (2015/11/20/12 Marks )
7. Use of the Internet and Social media by non-state actors for subversive activitics is a major security concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat. (2016,12 Marks)
8. Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. (150 words) (2017, 10 Marks)
9. Data security has assumed significant importance in the digital 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? (2018, 15 Marks)
10. What is Cyber Dome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India. (2019, 10 Marks)
11. Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (150 words) (2020,10 Marks)
12. 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. (150 words) (2021, 10 Marks)
13. Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks. (150 words) (2021, 10 Marks)
14. 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. (250 words) (2022, 15 Marks)
15. Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In 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. (250 words) (2023, 15 Marks)

Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate

1. What were the major recommendations of the ‘group of ministers’ on the Indian National Security System? (in about 150 words) (2001, 15 Marks)
2. Discuss the problems in achieving national integration in India. (150 words) (2008,15 Marks)
3. Write brief note on National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). (2009, 5 Marks)
4. Indian government has recently strengthened the anti-terrorism laws by amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyze the changes in the context of the prevailing security environment while discussing the scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations. (250 words) (2019, 15 Marks)

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