UPSC Mains 2021 GS3 Q20 — Terrorism and 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. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Analysesuggest
- Scope keywords
- complexity and intensitycauseslinkagesobnoxious nexusmeasures requirederadicate the menace
- Implicit sub-parts
- How has terrorism evolved from localized acts to sophisticated, cross-border, and asymmetric warfare (intensity and complexity)?
- What are the specific drivers (ideological, socio-economic, geopolitical) leading to radicalization?
- What is the operational relationship between organized crime, drug trafficking, and state-sponsored terror (the nexus)?
- A multi-pronged strategy encompassing legal (UAPA), institutional (NIA/NATGRID), and international (CCIT) frameworks.
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on terrorism without differentiating between 'linkages' (logistics/funding) and 'nexus' (organized crime/state actors).
- Failing to mention specific contemporary examples like the Lone Wolf attacks or Dark Web/Cryptocurrency financing that illustrate 'complexity'.
- Proposing only 'hard' security measures while ignoring 'soft' measures like de-radicalization and community policing.
- Ignoring the international dimension, such as the FATF's role or the lack of a global definition of terrorism.
- Dimensions required
- Geopolitical (State-sponsored)Economic (Terror-funding/Money laundering)Technological (Cyber-terrorism/Social media)Legislative (Anti-terror laws)Sociological (Radicalization/Alienation)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate roughly 100 words to the 'Analysis' section (complexity, causes, and nexus) as this forms the core of the 15-marker. Use 100 words for comprehensive 'Measures' ranging from local to global levels. Dedicate the remaining 50 words to a punchy introduction on the evolving nature of terror and a forward-looking conclusion on zero-tolerance policies.
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