Important Topics for Internal Security for UPSC Mains 2024

Important Topics for Internal Security for UPSC Mains 2024

• Understanding the root causes of terrorism.
• Analysis of major terrorist organizations and their networks.
• Government strategies and policies for counter-terrorism.
• Case studies on recent terror attacks and counter-terrorism operations.

• Historical background and current status of insurgencies in various regions.
• Case studies of insurgent movements in the Northeast, Naxalism, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Government initiatives and policies to tackle insurgency.
• Role of security forces in combating insurgency.

• Types of cyber threats: hacking, phishing, ransomware, etc.
• National Cyber Security Policy.
• Measures to enhance cyber security infrastructure.
• Role of CERT-IN (Computer Emergency Response Team – India).

• Understanding organized crime syndicates.
• Laws and policies against organized crime (e.g., MCOCA).
• Money laundering mechanisms and prevention methods.
• Role of agencies like ED (Enforcement Directorate) and FATF (Financial Action Task Force).

• Issues related to border management with neighbouring countries.
• Role of BSF, ITBP, and other border security forces.
• Challenges in coastal security and measures to address them.

• Influence of external state actors in internal security.
• Non-state actors and their impact on national security.
• Case studies of foreign interventions and their repercussions.

• Counterterrorism Strategies.
• Intelligence Gathering and Analysis.
• Counterinsurgency Operations.
• Cyberterrorism.

• Police Reforms.
• Community Policing.
• Use of Technology in Policing.
• Specialized Units (SWAT, Anti-Terrorism Units).

• Border Surveillance.
• Immigration Control.
• Smuggling and Trafficking.
• Cross-Border Cooperation.

• Critical Infrastructure Protection.
• Cybercrime Investigations.
• National Cybersecurity Policies.
• Cyber Threat Intelligence

• Disaster Preparedness.
• Crisis Response and Recovery.
• Pandemic Preparedness.
• Civil Defense.

• Signals Intelligence (SIGINT).
• Human Intelligence (HUMINT).
• Surveillance Technologies.
• National Security Agency (NSA).

• Countering Political Extremism.
• Election Security.
• Internal Political Threats.
• Political Intelligence.

• Emergency Services (Fire, Medical).
• Public Health Security.
• Safety Regulations and Compliance.
• Transportation Security.

• National Security Laws.
• Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
• Privacy Laws.
• Surveillance Laws.

• Community Engagement.
• Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).
• De-radicalization Programs.
• Media and Propaganda Analysis.

• Anti-Money Laundering (AML).
• Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT).
• Economic Espionage.
• Asset Forfeiture.

• Energy Security.
• Transportation Security.
• Water and Food Security.
• Telecommunications Security.

• Surveillance Technologies.
• Artificial Intelligence in Security.
• Biometric Systems.
• Robotics in Security Operations.

• Diplomacy in Security Affairs.
• Intelligence Sharing.
• Joint Task Forces.
• Regional Security Alliances.

Internal Security Mains PYQs

Q.1 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.

Q.2 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.

Q.3 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.

Q.4 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.

Q.1 Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels.

Q.2 What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security.

Q.3 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.

Q.4 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.

Q.1 How is the S-400 air defense system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?

Q.2 Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyze the impact of cross-border cyber-attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.

Q.3 Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors to the internal security of India and discuss measures required to combat these threats.

Q.4 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.

Q.5 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.