General Studies 2023 GS Paper III 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Discuss

Q20

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. (Answer in 250 words) 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारत में आतंकवाद के वित्तपोषण के प्रमुख स्रोत और इन स्रोतों की कटौती के लिए किए गए प्रयासों को बताइए। इस आलोक में, हाल ही में नई दिल्ली में नवंबर 2022 में हुई 'आतंकवाद के लिए धन नहीं (एन. एम. एफ. टी.)' संगोष्ठी के लक्ष्य एवं उद्देश्य की भी विवेचना कीजिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' requires a balanced examination of terror funding sources and counter-measures, followed by analysis of NMFT Conference objectives. Structure as: brief introduction on terror financing threat → sources (hawala, narcotics, counterfeit currency, FDI/PFI) → Indian counter-measures (UAPA, FEMA, NIA, FIU-IND) → NMFT Conference aims (international cooperation, FATF standards, tech solutions) → forward-looking conclusion on global-local coordination.

Key points expected

Sources: Hawala networks, narcotics trade (Golden Crescent/Golden Triangle), counterfeit Indian currency (FICN), legitimate business fronts, foreign funding/PFI, crowdfunding/cryptocurrency
Domestic measures: UAPA amendments, FEMA, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, NIA investigations, FIU-IND, demonetization impact
NMFT Conference 2022: 3rd edition, hosted by India, 75+ countries, focus on informal value transfer systems, virtual assets, asset freezing
NMFT objectives: Strengthen international cooperation, implement FATF recommendations, develop tech-driven monitoring, enhance capacity building
Linkages: Connect domestic efforts with NMFT's global framework; mention India's presidency of FATF (2022-23)
Critical angle: Gaps in implementation, need for real-time intelligence sharing, challenges of decentralized terror financing

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	3	Treats all three components—sources, curtailment efforts, NMFT aims—as interconnected; avoids lopsided treatment; recognizes 'discuss' requires analysis not mere listing	Covers all three parts but treats them as separate silos; some imbalance in weightage between sources and NMFT discussion	Misses one component entirely (typically NMFT) or conflates sources with curtailment; treats as enumerate-type question
Content depth & accuracy	20%	3	Precise on mechanisms: hawala operations, FICN routes (Pakistan via Nepal/Bangladesh), specific UAPA/FEMA provisions, NMFT's 5-point agenda including 'Delhi Declaration'	Generic mention of 'illegal money' and 'international conference'; confuses NMFT with FATF or lists without explaining mechanisms	Factually wrong (wrong year, wrong host, confuses with G20) or vague platitudes; no specific legal/statutory references
Structure & flow	20%	3	Logical progression: threat magnitude → sources (categorized) → response pyramid (legal-institutional-international) → NMFT as apex forum → synthesis; smooth transitions within 250 words	Covers points but jumps between sources and NMFT without connective tissue; paragraphs exist but lack thematic coherence	Bullet-point dump or stream-of-consciousness; no discernible architecture; word limit exceeded with repetition
Examples / case-law / data	20%	3	Specifics: 2016 Uri attack funding trail, NIA chargesheets in Kerala PFI cases, FATF grey-listing of Pakistan, NMFT participation numbers (75+ countries), FIU-IND reports on suspicious transactions	Mentions demonetization, UAPA without case specifics; 'various reports' without naming FIU-IND or NIA	No Indian examples; generic 'terrorists use money' or irrelevant international cases (9/11, ISIS) without Indian connection
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	3	Forward-looking: need for blockchain analytics, CFT-UNSC Resolution 2462 compliance, India's role in standard-setting; acknowledges limitation—NMFT is deliberative not operational	Standard summary restating points; or optimistic platitude about 'winning war on terror' without critical nuance	No conclusion; abrupt end; or introduces new information (suggestions not asked); purely descriptive closure

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