Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is in the final stages of drafting India’s first comprehensive National Counter Terrorism Policy, aimed at creating a uniform framework for States to prevent, combat, and respond to terrorist incidents.
The policy reflects evolving security challenges and seeks to address new-age threats such as digital radicalisation, misuse of open borders, and foreign-funded conversion networks.
India to Introduce First National Counter Terrorism Policy
Role of Home Ministry and NIA
The policy is being finalised by the Ministry of Home Affairs with key operational and intelligence inputs from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
An NIA official confirmed that the agency has contributed:
- Field-level operational insights
- Intelligence-based threat assessments
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier announced in November that a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy would be introduced soon.
Key Focus Areas of the Proposed Policy
The draft policy focuses on strengthening preventive and pre-emptive counter-terror mechanisms.
Key threat areas include:
- Online and digital radicalisation
- Aadhaar spoofing and identity misuse
- Foreign-funded religious conversion rackets
- Misuse of open borders, particularly along the Nepal frontier
The policy aims to improve coordination between Central and State agencies to neutralise terror threats before they materialise.
Consultations with States and Security Agencies
Following the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, the NIA conducted meetings with anti-terror units from all States to discuss:
- Preventive strategies
- Crisis response mechanisms
- Intelligence coordination
A major point of deliberation has been the use of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), a secure system that enables authorised agencies to access multiple government and private databases for intelligence analysis.
Briefings on Emerging Terror Methodologies
In recent months:
- Sadanand Date, Director General of the NIA
- National Security Guard (NSG) chief Brighu Srinivasan
have briefed State police chiefs on emerging terror tactics and methodologies, highlighting the need for a standardised national approach.
Context and Upcoming Deliberations
The NIA is scheduled to organise an anti-terror conference in New Delhi on December 26–27, where the broad contours of the proposed policy are expected to be shared with key stakeholders.
The initiative follows earlier structured responses such as the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan for Left Wing Extremism, signalling the government’s intent to adopt a nationwide, institutional counter-terrorism framework suited to modern threat landscapes.
Exam-Oriented Key Facts
- India’s first National Counter Terrorism Policy is being drafted
- Finalised by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- NIA has provided operational and intelligence inputs
- Focus areas include digital radicalisation and open borders
- NATGRID supports intelligence sharing among agencies
- Anti-terror conference scheduled for December 26–27 in Delhi
Question & Answer
Q1. Which ministry is finalising India’s first National Counter Terrorism Policy?
(a) Ministry of Defence
(b) Ministry of Law and Justice
(c) Ministry of Home Affairs
(d) Ministry of External Affairs
Answer: Ministry of Home Affairs
Q2. Which agency has provided key operational inputs to the National Counter Terrorism Policy?
(a) CBI
(b) RAW
(c) National Investigation Agency
(d) Intelligence Bureau
Answer: National Investigation Agency
Q3. Which of the following is a key focus area of the proposed anti-terror policy?
(a) Climate security
(b) Digital radicalisation
(c) Cyber taxation
(d) Border trade facilitation
Answer: Digital radicalisation
Q4. NATGRID is primarily used for which purpose?
(a) Border fencing
(b) Intelligence data sharing
(c) Cyber warfare
(d) Military surveillance
Answer: Intelligence data sharing
Q5. The upcoming anti-terror conference related to the new policy will be held in which city?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Hyderabad
(c) New Delhi
(d) Jaipur
Answer: New Delhi
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