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General Studies 2025 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Elaborate

GS Paper III — Q9

Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India ? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter…

Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India ? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State ? Explain. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

आतंकवाद एक वैश्विक महाविपत्ति है। यह भारत में किस रूप में प्रकट हुआ है ? समसामयिक उदाहरणों से व्याख्या कीजिए। राज्य द्वारा कौन-से जवाबी उपाय अपनाए गए हैं ? समझाइए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q9 of the 2025 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, as printed
The question as printed in the 2025 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Terrorism in India manifests across multiple distinct theatres:

Manifestations and Contemporary Examples

  • Cross-Border Terrorism: Pakistan-sponsored proxy warfare in Jammu & Kashmir, exemplified by the 2019 Pulwama attack.
  • Left-Wing Extremism (LWE): Insurgency across the Red Corridor, marked by lethal IED ambushes in Chhattisgarh (2023–24).
  • Northeast Insurgencies: Factional ethnic conflicts, highlighted during the 2021 Nagaland Oting security context.
  • Transnational Radicalization: Online propaganda driving lone-wolf terror attacks, seen in the Udaipur radicalization case.

State Counter-Measures

  • Legislative: Amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) allowing individual terrorist designation, strengthening the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, and stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) enforcement.
  • Institutional and Operational: Intelligence integration via the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), NATGRID, and CCTNS; operational deterrence through Operation All-Out and cross-border surgical/air strikes (2016, 2019).
  • Technological and Soft Power: Smart border fencing, cyber-surveillance, de-radicalization initiatives, and global compliance with FATF standards to choke terror financing.

Addressing emerging threats like weaponized drones, crypto-financing, and operationalizing the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) are vital to consolidating internal security.

What "Elaborate" is asking you to do

Give the full detailed account the question has compressed into a line — every dimension of it, with specifics. Elaborate rewards completeness and detail rather than clarification or argument: the examiner is checking whether you can fill out a topic without being told what its parts are.

Structure that answers it

State the proposition → first dimension in detail → second dimension in detail → the part the statement leaves implicit → the consolidated picture

Where marks are lost

Repeating the statement at greater length instead of adding substance. Elaborate also punishes narrowness: omitting a whole dimension costs more here than anywhere else in this family.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Security: classify threat, vulnerability, response; stay calm. explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Precise classification of threats with specific recent examples and detailed legal/institutional counter-measures.

Key points expected

  • Classify threat types (cross-border, internal, Naxal)
  • Cite specific contemporary examples (e.g., 2016 Pathankot, 2019 Pulwama)
  • Name specific legal counter-measures (UAPA, MCA, NIA)
  • Mention institutional response (NSG, NIA, CBI)

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Define manifestation of terrorism in India and explain state counter-measures.  · 150 words

    explain— definition/context → points in order → small example → short close

    Must cover

    • Classify threat types (cross-border, internal, Naxal)
    • Cite specific contemporary examples (e.g., 2016 Pathankot, 2019 Pulwama)
    • Name specific legal counter-measures (UAPA, MCA, NIA)
    • Mention institutional response (NSG, NIA, CBI)

    Loses marks

    • Dramatic or emotional security writing
    • Vague generalities without specific examples
    • Ignoring the 'contemporary' aspect of the question

    Earns more

    • Reference to specific operational successes (e.g., Operation All Caste)
    • Mention of developmental measures (Border Roads Organisation)
    • Reference to international cooperation (UNSCR 1373)

    Extra mark

    • Cite specific budget allocation for security
    • Mention specific technology (e.g., AI in surveillance)

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

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