PRAHAAR: India’s First National Counter-Terror Policy – Daily GK Update for UPSC and Other Exams

Overview of the News

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has unveiled India’s first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, titled “PRAHAAR”, to deal with evolving threats such as cross-border terrorism, drone-based attacks, and cyber-enabled terror activities.
This eight-page policy formalises a unified national framework based on zero tolerance towards terrorism, while clearly stating that India does not link terrorism with any particular religion, ethnicity, nationality or civilisation.

Alongside this policy, security forces have recently concluded a 326-day-long high-altitude counter-terror operation in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, eliminating seven terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), including a top commander, in a series of linked operations.

What is PRAHAAR?

PRAHAAR is the acronym for India’s new national counter-terrorism strategy announced by the MHA in February 2026.
It stands for a seven-pillar framework designed to prevent terror attacks, enable swift responses, integrate capacities, uphold human rights, counter radicalisation, align international efforts, and strengthen recovery and resilience.

Full form of PRAHAAR (as per MHA strategy document):

P – Prevention of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and national interests.

R – Responses that are swift and proportionate to the level of threat.

A – Aggregating internal capacities for synergy in a whole-of-government approach.

H – Human rights and ‘Rule of Law’–based processes for mitigating threats.

A – Attenuating conditions enabling terrorism, including radicalisation.

A – Aligning and shaping international efforts to counter terrorism.

R – Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.

For static notes on internal security and terrorism, refer to:

Security Issues & Internal Security Notes – Atharva Examwise

Key Features of PRAHAAR (Exam-Focused Points)

The policy document provides a structured doctrine for India’s counter-terror approach, emphasising intelligence-led prevention, inter-agency coordination and adherence to law.

1. Intelligence-led Prevention

The policy puts intelligence-guided prevention at the core, focusing on disrupting terror plots before they materialise.

Institutions like the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) in the Intelligence Bureau are designated as central nodes for real-time intelligence sharing and threat assessment.

2. Swift and Proportionate Responses

Local police are recognised as first responders in terror incidents, supported by state special forces and central units.

The National Security Guard (NSG) is reaffirmed as the nodal national counter-terror force for major attacks.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police lead investigations to ensure effective prosecution and high conviction rates, creating deterrence.

3. Aggregation of Capacities (Whole-of-Government)

PRAHAAR stresses standardisation of counter-terror structures and SOPs across states, moving towards more uniform anti-terror frameworks at state level.

It calls for modernisation of police and counter-terror units with advanced weapons, technology, surveillance tools and training.

Border security is to be strengthened using advanced surveillance and detection technologies across land, maritime and aerial domains.

4. Human Rights and Rule of Law

The policy clearly states that operations must adhere to human rights standards, due process and rule of law, citing laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and India’s international legal commitments.

It emphasises multiple levels of legal redressal and appeal for terror-accused while maintaining stringent penalties and deterrent provisions.

5. Tackling Radicalisation and Online Jihad Propaganda

PRAHAAR recognises that terrorists extensively use the internet, social media and encrypted platforms for communication, recruitment and glorification of “jihad”.

It calls for graded police response to radicalisation, where legal action depends on the level of radicalisation, combined with de-radicalisation and socio-economic interventions for vulnerable youth.

Measures include community engagement, working with religious leaders, civil society and NGOs, and reintegration programmes for affected individuals.

6. Focus on New and Emerging Threats

The strategy flags threats from cross-border terrorism, cyber-attacks, misuse of drones, robotics and emerging technologies by both state and non-state actors.

It notes attempts by terror outfits to gain access to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive and Digital (CBRNED) materials, as well as cyber-attacks by criminal hackers and hostile states.

Critical infrastructure such as power, railways, aviation, ports, defence facilities, space and atomic energy installations are prioritised for enhanced protection.

7. International Cooperation and Legal Instruments

PRAHAAR seeks to align and shape global counter-terror efforts through treaties, extradition arrangements, mutual legal assistance and intelligence sharing.

India will continue to work for a comprehensive framework on international terrorism at the United Nations, including designation of terrorist entities and denial of safe havens.

For background revision on India’s external relations and multilateral frameworks, see:

International Relations & Multilateral Institutions – Atharva Examwise

India’s Stand on Terrorism (Ideological Position)

The document reiterates that India has decades of experience in combating terrorism and follows a zero-tolerance approach to terror in all its forms and manifestations.

It explicitly states that terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances and must not be associated with any particular religion, ethnicity, nationality or civilisation.

This normative stance is important for Mains (GS-II and GS-III) as it aligns with India’s long-standing position in international forums, including the push for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN.

Kishtwar Operation Trashi-I: Recent Counter-Terror Success

While the PRAHAAR policy lays down the strategic doctrine, recent operations on the ground show its practical enforcement, especially in Jammu & Kashmir.

In Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir, security forces conducted a 326-day-long high-altitude joint operation in the Chatroo belt, under harsh weather and rugged terrain.

The operation involved the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, Rashtriya Rifles units, Jammu & Kashmir Police and CRPF, supported by a well-knit intelligence grid.

Key Facts from Kishtwar (Important for MCQs)

The campaign, often referred to as Operation Trashi-I, culminated in the elimination of seven Pakistani terrorists, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander Saifullah.

In the final phase, three terrorists were killed in an encounter in the Passerkut/Chatroo area of Kishtwar, after they were cornered in a mud hut (dhok) on a steep hillside.

Security forces used FPV drones, satellite imagery, night-vision equipment and other technologies to track and neutralise the group over almost a year.

The Army described this as a “massive blow to the terror network” in the region and an example of sustained, technology-enabled counter-terror operations.

For regular internal security current affairs, bookmark:

UPSC Current Affairs – Atharva Examwise

Possible Prelims Angles

Some likely Prelims-type objective questions emerging from this topic:

PRAHAAR in news refers to:

(a) A new paramilitary force

(b) India’s first national counter-terrorism policy and strategy

(c) A coastal security scheme

(d) A cyber-security portal

With reference to PRAHAAR, which of the following is/are correctly matched?

P – Prevention of terror attacks

H – Human rights and Rule of Law

R – Recovery and resilience

Use the codes below:

Consider the following statements about Operation Trashi-I:

It was a long-duration counter-terror operation in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir.

It led to the elimination of seven terrorists associated with Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Both statements are correct as per current reports.

Why this matters for your exam preparation

High probability current affairs topic: PRAHAAR is India’s first national counter-terror policy, released through an official MHA document, making it a prime candidate for Prelims MCQs, UPSC CSE Mains (GS-II & GS-III), CAPF, CDS, State PSC and SSC exams.

Integrates static and dynamic portions: It directly links static internal security concepts (radicalisation, intelligence coordination, federal structure in policing, role of NSG/NIA, UAPA) with recent developments like cyber-terrorism, drone threats and cross-border terror networks.

Case-study material for ethics and essay: The policy’s stress on human rights, rule of law and non-linkage of terror with any religion gives you strong ethical and constitutional points for Ethics (GS-IV) and essay papers.

Operational example for answers: The Kishtwar 326-day operation offers a concrete, recent case study to show how intelligence, technology, inter-agency coordination and perseverance translate the PRAHAAR framework into field outcomes.

To make this topic exam-ready:

Add PRAHAAR to your internal security notes with its seven pillars and key features.

Practise one Prelims MCQ and one 150–250 word Mains answer on PRAHAAR and the Kishtwar operation.

Revise along with related topics like UAPA, NIA, NSG, MAC, radicalisation, cyber-terrorism and CCIT at the UN.

For a consolidated PDF/notes-style coverage of such topics, keep checking:

Atharva Examwise – Daily UPSC Current Affairs & News Analysis