Why this matters now
Terrorism is a high-priority GS-3 topic — its forms, causes and India’s counter-terror legal and institutional framework, plus the global dimension. It connects to terror financing and radicalisation.
Meaning and types
Terrorism is the calculated use of violence (or its threat) against civilians and the state to create fear and advance political, religious or ideological aims. Types include cross-border (state-sponsored) terrorism, ideological/religious extremism, ethno-nationalist terrorism, and increasingly lone-wolf and cyber-enabled attacks. There is no universal definition, complicating global action.
Causes
Drivers include external sponsorship and proxy war, religious and ideological radicalisation, political and ethnic grievances, socio-economic alienation, and the role of the internet/social media in propaganda and recruitment.
India’s counter-terrorism framework
India’s response combines law, agencies and operations: the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for terror cases, intelligence coordination via the Multi-Agency Centre and NATGRID, the NSG for operations, and efforts to choke terror financing (PMLA, FATF cooperation).
Global cooperation
Terrorism is transnational, so India pushes for global cooperation — a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN, action against safe havens and financing (FATF), intelligence sharing, and a “zero tolerance” norm with no distinction between “good” and “bad” terrorists.
UPSC angle
Know the types of terrorism, the causes (sponsorship, radicalisation, online), India’s framework (UAPA, NIA, NATGRID, NSG) and the global push (CCIT, FATF). Link to terror financing.
Frequently asked questions
What is terrorism?
The calculated use of violence or its threat against civilians and the state to spread fear and advance political, religious or ideological aims.
What is India’s main anti-terrorism law?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA); terror cases are investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
What is NATGRID?
The National Intelligence Grid — a platform that links databases to help security and intelligence agencies counter terrorism.
What is the CCIT?
The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism — a proposed UN treaty, long championed by India, to provide a global legal framework against terrorism.