Internal Security Challenges and State Responses
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
UPSC examines internal security threats, their causes, and various state strategies to counter them, including their socio-political and human rights implications. Case studies from different countries provide comparative insights into effective and controversial approaches.
Internal security challenges encompass threats like illegal armed groups, drug trafficking, and organized crime that undermine state authority and societal stability. State responses often involve a spectrum from peace negotiations and social integration to hardline military operations and enhanced law enforcement, each with implications for human rights and democratic governance.
Facts & tables
- Key Threats
- Illegal armed groups and drug trafficking are major destabilizing factors in many nations.
- Hardline Approaches
- Involve increased military presence, mass detentions, and construction of mega-prisons.
- Peace Efforts
- Aim for demobilization and reintegration of armed groups, often controversial.
- Human Rights Concerns
- Heavy-handed security policies can lead to criticism from human rights groups.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Human Rights |
| Conceptual area | Internal Security |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Internal security threats: illegal armed groups, drug trafficking.
- State responses: hardline military, mega-prisons, peace efforts.
- Human rights implications of security crackdowns.
- Comparative analysis of security models (e.g., El Salvador's approach).
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Cause and effect relationships |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Human Rights
Conceptual area
-
Internal Security
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2018
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Cause and effect relationships
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Who is Abelardo De La Espriella, Colombia's new right-wing President?
Understanding the multifaceted nature of internal security threats (e.g., drug cartels, insurgent groups) and the contrasting state responses (e.g., peace processes vs. military crackdowns, human rights concerns) is crucial for GS3.
See also
Past papers
2015–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Who is Abelardo De La Espriella, Colombia's new right-wing President?
Understanding the multifaceted nature of internal security threats (e.g., drug cartels, insurgent groups) and the contrasting state responses (e.g., peace processes vs. military crackdowns, human rights concerns) is crucial for GS3.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel. * Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. This statement is correct as the Sahel region has been experiencing significant instability and security challenges, including terrorism, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises. * Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past. This statement is also correct. Several countries in the Sahel region, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, have experienced military coups in recent years. * Statement-II explains Statement-I because the military takeovers and coups contribute to the instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. The political instability resulting from these coups disrupts governance, exacerbates conflict, and undermines efforts to address security and development challenges in the region.
Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India?
1. Employment Policy Convention
2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
3. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
4. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
5. Convention on Reduction of Statelessness
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (ILO No. 122) is one of the International Labour Organization's governance (priority) conventions. India ratified it on November 17, 1998. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (ILO No. 105) is a fundamental ILO convention. India ratified it on May 18, 2000. Statement 3 is Correct: The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (1990) is a UN multilateral treaty. India has neither signed nor ratified this convention. Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949) (also known as the Fourth Geneva Convention) was ratified by India on November 9, 1950, and implemented domestically via the Geneva Conventions Act, 1960. *(Note: The question setter likely confused this with the 1951 Refugee Convention, which was adopted in Geneva and which India has not ratified).* Statement 5 is Correct: The Convention on Reduction of Statelessness (1961) has not been signed or ratified by India. India is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1954 Convention on Statelessness, or this 1961 Convention. *Conclusion:* Factually, only conventions 3 and 5 have not been ratified by India. However, among the given options, there is a discrepancy as no option perfectly matches "3 and 5". Since any correct answer must include the unratified conventions 3 and 5, Option D is the only possible choice by elimination.
The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
The Two-State Solution is used in the context of the Israel-Palestine issue. It envisages an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel west of the Jordan River.
With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The United Nations Credentials Committee is a committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Statement 2 is incorrect. A Credentials Committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly. It consists of nine members, who are appointed by the General Assembly on the proposal of the President. Statement 3 is correct. The Committee reports to the Assembly on the credentials of representatives. The Committee is mandated to examine the credentials of representatives of Member States and to report to the General Assembly thereon (Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly). The credentials of representatives and the names of members of the delegation of each Member State are submitted to the Secretary-General and are issued either by the Head of the State or Government or by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Rule 27 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly).
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following countries -
1. China
2. France
3. India
4. Israel
5. Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes five states as nuclear-weapon states:
- The United States, - Russia, - The United Kingdom, - France,
- China (also the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council). Four other states are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons India, Pakistan and North Korea have openly tested and declared that they possess nuclear weapons, while Israel has had a policy of opacity regarding its nuclear weapons program.
Community sometimes mentioned in the news In the affairs of
1. Kurd: Bangladesh
2. Madhesi: Nepal
3. Rohingya: Myanmar
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
1. Kurd - Bangladesh (Incorrect): Kurds are a Muslim ethnic group with a significant population in southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, northwestern Iran, and northern Syria. They are not a major community in Bangladesh. 2. Madhesi - Nepal (Correct): Madhesis are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group inhabiting the Terai plains of southern Nepal. They are a politically and socially aware community that has sometimes advocated for greater rights and representation within Nepal. 3. Rohingya - Myanmar (Correct): Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic group facing persecution in Myanmar. They are often mentioned in the news due to human rights concerns and the ongoing Rohingya genocide. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.