UPSC GS-3: Security, Previous Years Questions (Topic wise)

Security Topicwise PYQs

Syllabus Topic: Terrorism, Extremists (LWE, NE): Linkages between Development & spread of Extremism; Linkages of Organized crime and Terrorism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security

• 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. [UPSC-2021]
• Analyse the multidimensıonal 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. [UPSC-2021] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• 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?[UPSC-2020]
• The banning of ‘Jamaat-e – islaami’ 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. (जम्मू और कश्मीर में ‘जमात-ए-इस्लामी’ पर पाबंदी लगाने से आतंकवादी संगठनों को सहायता पहुंचाने में भूमि-उपरि कार्यकर्ताओं (ओ. जी. डबल्यू) की भूमिका ध्यान का केंद्र बन गई है | उपप्लव (बगावत) प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में आतंकवादी संगठनो को सहायता पहुंचाने में भूमि-उपरि कार्यकर्ताओं द्वारा निभाई जा रही भूमिका का परिक्षण कीजिए | भूमि-उपरि कार्यकर्ताओं के प्रभाव को निष्प्रभावित करने के उपायों की चर्चा कीजिए |) [UPSC-2019]
• 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. [UPSC-2018]
• 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. [UPSC-2017]
• 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? [UPSC-2017]
• 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. [UPSC-2017] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• “Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.” Analyse the above statement.[UPSC-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.[UPSC-2016]
• 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. [UPSC-2015]
• 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? [UPSC-2015]
• The diverse nature of India as a multireligious and multi-ethnic 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. [UPSC-2014] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• 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. [UPSC-2013]

Syllabus Topic: Cross border: Security challenges and their management in border areas;

• How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world? [UPSC-2021]
• 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. [UPSC-2020]
• Analyse internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. [UPSC-2020]
• 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. (उत्तर-पूर्वी भारत में उपप्लवियों की सीमा के आरपार आवाजाही, सीमा की पुलिसिंग के सामने अनेक सुरक्षा चुनौतियों में से केवल एक है | भारत-म्यांमार सीमा के आरपार वर्तमान में आरंभ होने वाली विभिन्न चुनौतियों का परिक्षण कीजिए | साथ ही चुनौतियों को प्रतिरोध करने के कदमों पर चर्चा कीजिए |) [UPSC-2019] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• 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. [UPSC-2018]
  • China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India’s security? Critically examine. [UPSC- 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. [UPSC-2016]
• International civil aviation laws provide all countries 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 which this poses and suggests ways to contain the threat. [UPSC- 2014] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration. [UPSC- 2014]
• 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 International Maritime organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns? [UPSC- 2014]
• 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? [UPSC- 2013]

Syllabus Topic: Cyber security and social media: Basics of cyber security; Role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, Challenges to internal security through communication networks,

• Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks. [UPSC-2021]
• Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. [UPSC-2020]
• What is the CyberDome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India. (साइबरडोम परियोजना क्या है ? स्पष्ट कीजिए की भारत में इंटरनेट अपराधों को नियंत्रित करने में यह किस प्रकार उपयोगी हो सकता है |) [UPSC-2019] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• 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 sof the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space?[UPSC-2018]
• Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. [UPSC-2017]
• Discuss the advantage and security implications of cloud hosting of server vis-a-vis in-house machine-based hosting for government businesses.
• Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major concern. How have these have misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.[UPSC-2016]
• Discuss the advantage and security implications of cloud hosting of server vis-a-vis in-house machine-based hosting for government businesses. [UPSC-2015]
• 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. [UPSC-2015] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• What is digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Giver various salient built in features of a digital signature. [UPSC-2013]
• What are social networking site and what security implications do these sites present? [UPSC-2013]
• Cyber warfare is considered by some defense 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. [UPSC-2013]

Syllabus Topic: Money-laundering and its prevention.

• 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. [UPSC-2021]
• 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? [UPSC-2018] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• 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? [UPSC-2013]

Syllabus Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

• The 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. (भारत सरकार ने हाल ही में विधिविरुद्ध क्रियाकलाप (निवारण) अधिनियम (यू. ए. पी. ए), 1967 और एन. आइ. ए. अधिनियम के संशोधन के द्वारा आतंकवाद-रोधी कानूनों को मजबूत कर दिया है | मानवधिकार संगठनों द्वारा क्रियाकलाप (निवारण) अधिनियम का विरोध करने के विस्तार और कारणों पर चर्चा करते समय वर्तमान सुरक्षा परिवेश के संदर्भ में, परिवर्तनों का विश्लेषण कीजिए |) [UPSC-2019] ©crackingcivilservices.com
• Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by the security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by the Apex Court.[UPSC-2015]