Security UPSC Mains Topic Wise Previous Year Questions (1979-2023)

1. BASIC CONCEPTS OF SECURITY STUDIES

Explain the difference between Terrorism and Insurgency. 2000
What are surgical strike operations? 2001
Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also, discuss the measures required to be taken to combat these threats. (250 words) 2021
Analyze the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages, and obnoxious nexus. Also suggests measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism. (250 words) 2021

2. VARIOUS SECURITY FORCES IN INDIA AND THEIR MANDATE

The maintenance of law and order has become increasingly difficult in many parts of India. What are the main reasons for the deterioration in law and order position? How are the state governments trying to control crimes? What further steps would you suggest with a view to instilling a greater sense of security in the minds of the people especially those, who belong to the vulnerable sections of society and live in remote areas? 1981
Coast Guards – its main tasks. Setup. HQ? 1982
Discuss the names of Paramilitary forces and their roles. 1983
Discuss the mandate of the Coast Guard, Terriers, and BSF and their roles. 1987
What are the reasons for setting up of the National Security Council of India? 1995
Write a short note on INTERPOL. 2002
A brief note on the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). 2009
What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organizational, technical, and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security. (Answer in 150 words) 2022

3. GLOBAL FUNDAMENTALISM AND THREAT TO INDIA

What are the sources of terrorism emanating from Pakistan? 2006
What are the causes of terrorism and discuss the measures to deal with it? 2008
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

4. SUBVERSION AGAINST INDIA

What is the Tamil problem of Sri Lanka? Why is India involved in it? What efforts have been made by India to solve this problem? 1984
The ISI of Pakistan has been carrying out multiple kinds of subversion and sabotage operations against India. Discuss the nature of these operations and illustrate with examples. 2000

5. TERRORISM IN PUNJAB, NORTHEAST AND KASHMIR

Analyze the situation of the Northeastern states and indicate what steps are being taken and could be taken to restore it to normalcy having regard to strategic location of these states, the interests and aspirations of the different communities and classes of people living there and the paramount importance of national integration. 1980
To normalize NE insurgency, interests and aspirations of different communities and the different classes of people living there are important for the national integration. Analyse the situation of insurgency and discuss the steps taken and suggest steps to mitigate the insurgency.1980
What are the demands of the Akali Dal in support of which an agitation has been launched by them? What has been the Indian government response to the demands? What issues remain outstanding and what are the difficulties experienced in resolving them? 1983
What criteria for a fair and just solution of the Punjab problem have been laid down in the White Paper on Punjab? Explain its contention that the propositions contained in the Anandpur Sahib resolution of Akali Dal on the Center-State relations are contrary to the very basic concept of national unity and integrity and are therefore unacceptable. 1984
What were the measures taken by the government of India that preceded the Punjab Accord of 1985? What are the main points in the memorandum of settlement signed by the PM and the President of Akali Dal? 1985
When was the Mizoram Accord signed? What were the salient points in the memorandum of settlement? Set forth the main grounds on which the Mizoram Accord was criticised by the opposition parties? 1986
What does the Gorkha National Liberation Front seek? In what way are the demands of different from the earlier demands of Mizo demands and Khalistan demands? 1987
Who are the Bodos? What are the causes of restiveness of the Bodos? 1989
What is the Shillong Accord? 2001
Discuss how did the US respond to the problem of cross-border terrorism after Kaluchak event in Jammu and Kashmir. 2002
Discuss India’s policy towards international terrorism.2003
What is the Naga Framework Agreement? 2012
Why did the Naga Insurgency arise? Discuss the problems of the Naga people. 2012
Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (ARSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by the security forces. What sections of ARSPA do the activists oppose? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by the Apex. Court.2015
“Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.” Analyse the above statement. 2016
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. 2017
The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curt this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding? 2017
What is the Assam Accord? Discuss the factors that led to the rise of the problem a Assam? 2018
The 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 LAPA by human rights organizations. 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. 2019
What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in Eastern part of India? What strategy should Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? 2020
Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels. (Answer in 150 words) 2022
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. (Answer in 150 words) 2023

6. ORGANISED CRIME

What are the factors that led to the rise of the Mumbai mafia? 1999
How has the security forces dealt with the phenomena of organised crime? Analyze in specific reference to legal architecture of India to deal with organised crime? 2014
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. 2017

7. LINKAGES BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT AND EXTREMISM

Analyse the different phases of Naxalite movement from inception to present day. What are the initial drawbacks of the movement? 1990
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. 2013
The persisting drives of the government for 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
Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues suggest a multi layered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism. (Answer in 250 words) 2022

8. MONEY LAUNDERING AND ITS PREVENTION

Money laundering poses a serious threat to country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace? 2013
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
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
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 in New Delhi in November 2022. 2023

9. CHALLENGES TO INTERNAL SECURITY THROUGH COMMUNICATION NETWORKS, ROLE OF MEDIA AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES IN INTERNAL SECURITY CHALLENGES, BASICS OF CYBER SECURITY

What is the concept of Cyber Terrorism? 2005
What is the concept of CCTV Technology? 2011
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.2013
What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present? 2013
What is digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Give various salient built-in features of a digital signature. 2013
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
Discuss the advantages and the security implications of cloud hosting of server vis-a-vis in-house machine based hosting for government businesses. 2015
Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major concern. How has these have been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat. 2016
Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. 2017
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 weakness of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space? 2018
What is the Cyber Dome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling Internet crimes in India. 2019
Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. 2020
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
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. (Answer in 250 words) 2022
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. 2023

10. CHALLENGES IN BORDER MANAGEMENT

What are the island territories and island security efforts?1984
What are the threats posed by refugees? 1996
Who are the Myanmar/Bangladesh refugees? Discuss the threats they pose. 1996
How does the use of satellites help in border surveillance? 1999
What do you know about the Siachen dispute? 2000
Discuss the problem of infiltration in Eastern India. 2001
Discuss the developments in the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime border dispute. What are its implications for India? 2010
What are the steps taken to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean? 2011
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? 2013
In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78° East in the Arabian Sea by the International Maritime Organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns? 2014
China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for the development of an economic corridor. What threat does it pose to India’s security? Critically examine. 2014
How illegal trans-border migration does pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this and bring out the factors, which give impetus to such migration. 2014
International civil aviation laws provide all countries with complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges that this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat. 2014
The diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multiethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism, which has been in her neighbourhood. Discuss, along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment. 2014
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
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. 2016
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
The cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in Northeast India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges. 2019
For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and suggest ways to manage favorable perceptions among locals. 2020
Analyse internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan border including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. 2020
How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world? 2021
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. (Answer in 150 words) 2023