Internal Security: Extremism, External Actors, Communication Networks, Cyber Security and Money Laundering · HCS (Haryana)

What the official syllabus says

General Studies III (Main Written Examination, Paper V):
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.

Topics in detail

Development and the spread of extremism

Left Wing Extremism: origins in Naxalbari (1967); the most affected regions
Causes: land alienation, displacement, forest rights, poor governance, lack of roads, schools and health care
Response: security operations with development; the SAMADHAN strategy; road and mobile connectivity in affected areas; Aspirational Districts
Insurgency in the North-East: ethnic identity, development gaps, peace accords
Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir
Radicalisation and de-radicalisation

External state and non-state actors

State-sponsored cross-border terrorism; proxy war
Terror groups and their networks; safe havens across borders
Funding through fake currency, narcotics, hawala and charities
Foreign contributions and their regulation (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010)
Insurgent groups operating from neighbouring countries
Information warfare and propaganda

Communication networks, media and social networking sites

Use of encrypted messaging, the dark web and social media by terrorists and criminals
Fake news, deepfakes and the spread of rumours leading to violence
Role of the media in reporting terrorism and security operations
Regulation: intermediary guidelines under the IT Act; internet shutdowns and their limits
Critical communication infrastructure and its protection

Basics of cyber security

Threats: malware, ransomware, phishing, denial of service, data breaches, cyber espionage, attacks on critical infrastructure
Cyber fraud: online financial fraud, identity theft, sextortion
Institutions: CERT-In; National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre; Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre; cyber crime reporting portal and helpline 1930
National Cyber Security Policy (2013)
Information Technology Act, 2000: offences including cyber terrorism (Section 66F)
International cooperation; Budapest Convention (India not a party)

Money laundering and its prevention

Stages: placement, layering, integration
Methods: hawala, shell companies, trade-based laundering, real estate, cryptocurrencies
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002; the Enforcement Directorate
Financial Intelligence Unit-India; know-your-customer norms; suspicious transaction reports
Financial Action Task Force and its standards; India's membership
Link between money laundering, terror financing and corruption

Laws and institutions for internal security

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
National Investigation Agency (2008); NATGRID; Multi-Agency Centre
Constitution: public order and police as State subjects; the Union's duty to protect States (Article 355)
Coordination between Central and State agencies; intelligence sharing
India's proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations

Overlaps

Haryana: Disasters and Internal Security: cyber fraud, drugs and organised crime in Haryana.
General Studies II: India's relations with neighbouring countries.