Why in the News
The Ministry of Home Affairs on February 23, 2026 released India’s first comprehensive anti terror policy titled PRAHAAR, outlining a national counter terrorism strategy addressing conventional and emerging threats including cyber attacks and drone based terror.
What is PRAHAAR?
- PRAHAAR is India’s first formal National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy.
- It provides a unified framework to:
- Counter cross border sponsored terrorism
- Address cyber terror and digital radicalisation
- Protect critical infrastructure
- Strengthen coordination between Centre and States
- Enhance prosecution and legal preparedness
Nature of Threat Identified
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Cross Border Terror
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- Sponsored terrorism from across the border
- Activities by global terror groups like Al Qaeda and Islamic State
- Use of sleeper cells
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Emerging Technological Threats
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- Criminal hackers and hostile nation states
- Cyber attacks on critical sectors
- Use of encryption, dark web, crypto wallets
- Drones and robotics for terror activities
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CBRNED Risks
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- Threat of misuse of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive and Digital materials.
Critical Sectors Identified
- Protection strengthened in: Power, Railways, Aviation, Ports, Defence, Space, and Atomic energy
| [2023] Consider the following statements:
1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances. 2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to person being held for preventive detention. 3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
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