Internal Security Previous Year Questions (PYQs) |

UPSC Mains Examination

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1 Internal Security Previous Year Questions (PYQs) | UPSC Mains Examination

On this page, you will find all the updates related to the previous year’s questions of
subject Internal Security for UPSC IAS Mains examination.

Security is a major topic in the UPSC Mains GS 3 Civil Services Examination (CSE). It
includes topics such as linkages between development and spread of extremism, the role
of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security,
challenges to internal security through communication networks, the 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 and various Security forces and agencies
and their mandate

Topic: Linkages between development and spread of extremism:

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. [150 Words] [10

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Marks] [2023]

Q.2) Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent

internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues gets a multilayered
strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism. [250 words] [15 Marks] [2022]

Q.3) 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? [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2020]

Q.4) 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. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2018]

Q.5) 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. [250 Words]
[15 marks] [2017]

Q.6) The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in
backward area shave 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 mainstream of social and economic growth. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]

Q.7) Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to administration of schedules area 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] [10 Marks] [2013]

Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges

to internal security:

Q.1) The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders
to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security.
Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat. [150 Words] [10 Marks]
[2023]

Q.2) 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] [15 Marks] [2021]

Q.3)The banning of ‘Jammat-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 influence of OGWs. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2019]

Q.4)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. [150 Words] [10

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Marks] [2018]

Q.5) 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. [150
Words] [10 Marks][2017]

Q.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. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks]
[2014]

Q.7) International civil aviation laws provide all countries 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. [200 Words] [12.5
Marks] [2014]

Q.8) 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? [200
Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]

Topic: 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:

Q.1) 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][15 Marks][2023]

Q.2) What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational,
technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. [150 Words]
[10 Marks] [2022]

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. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2022]

Q.4) 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] [10 Marks] [2021]

Q.5) Discuss how emerging technologies and globalization contribute to money

laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at
national and international levels. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2021]

Q.6) Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight
the menace. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2020]

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Q.7) What is Cyber Dome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet
crimes in India. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2019]

Q.8) Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising
cyber-crimes.The Justice B. N. Sri krishna 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 cyber space? [250 Words] [15 marks] [2018]

Q.9) Discuss the potential threats of Cyber-attack and the security framework to prevent
it. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2017]

Q.10) 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] [15 marks] [2017]

Q.11) 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. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.12) Religious indoctrination via social media has resulted in Indian youth joining the
ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous to the internal security of
our country. [200 Words][12.5 Marks] [2015]

Q.13) 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. [200 Words][12.5
Marks] [2015]

Q.14) 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] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.15) What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites
present? [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.16) Cyber warfare is considered by some defence analysts to be a larger threat than
even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by 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. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas–

linkages of organized crime with terrorism:
Q.1) Discuss the types of organized crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and
organized crime that exist at the national and transnational levels.[150 Words] [10 Marks]
[2022]

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Q.2) 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.
[250 Words] [15 Marks] [2021]

Q.3) 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.[150 Words] [10 Marks] [2020]

Q.4) Analyze internal security threats and trans border 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] [15 Marks] [2020]

Q.5) 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][15 marks] [2019]

Q.6) 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 betaken to prevent the same? [250 Words] [15 marks]
[2018]

Q.7) 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. [200
Words] [12.5 Marks][2016]

Q.8) “Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.” Analyze
the above statement. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.9) 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. [200 Words][12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.10) How does illegal trans border migration pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss
the strategies tocurb this, bringing out the factors which give impetus to such migration.
[200 Words] [12.5 Marks][2014]

Q.11) 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.
[200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]

Q.12) 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? [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate:

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Q.1) 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 (NMPT Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022. [250
words][15 Marks][2023]

Q.2) 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 prevailing security environment while discussing the scope and
reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations. [250 Words] [15 marks]
[2019]

Q.3) 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. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks]
[2015]

Trends of Internal security PYQs For UPSC Mains

Every year 3-4 questions of around 10 -15 marks are asked from this subject. To
address the question, it’s crucial to stay updated with current affairs and recent
developments in the field of internal security. Regularly reading newspapers, magazines,
and government reports related to internal security issues will provide you with valuable
insights.

Year Total Marks weightage

2023 50

2022 50

2021 50

2020 50

2019 40

2018 50

2017 50

2016 50

2015 50

2014 62.5

2013 40

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