What is the common examiner trap about Security & Defence in UPSC exams?

Trap: Confusing the evolution timeline (e.g., saying surgical strikes happened after 26/11 instead of after 2016 Uri attack). Also, may confuse PRAHAAR with specific state-level policies or other operations like 'Operation Vijay'.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Security & Defence for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: PRAHAAR policy launched on February 23, 2026. 2. Target this Operation: Operation Sindoor (May 6-7, 2025) - the first to hit Pakistan's terror network's 'heart'. 3. Target this Statement: India declared that any future cross-border terror will be treated as an 'act of war' and nuclear blackmail will no longer be a restraint.

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News 4 of 27

India Unveils PRAHAAR Policy, Shifts from Restraint to Proactive Counter-Terrorism

Q: Which of the following is India's first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, announced in February 2026?

PRAHAAR, On February 23, 2026, India unveiled 'PRAHAAR', its first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy. The other options are military operations, not policy documents.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding India's counter-terror strategy: 1. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks (2008) led to India's first cross-border surgical strikes against Pakistan. 2. Operation Sindoor (May 2025) targeted the leadership and headquarters of LeT and JeM terror networks. 3. India has declared that any future cross-border terror attack will be treated as an 'act of war'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 2 and 3, Statement 1 is incorrect because the first cross-border surgical strikes followed the 2016 Uri attack (not 26/11). Statement 2 is correct: Operation Sindoor destroyed LeT and JeM leadership. Statement 3 is correct: India declared that future attacks will be treated as an 'act of war' and nuclear blackmail will no longer be a restraint.

Q: On which date did India launch its first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy named 'PRAHAAR'?

February 23, 2026, The article explicitly states that India unveiled 'PRAHAAR' on February 23, 2026. The other options are dates of other significant events: May 6, 2025 (Operation Sindoor), September 28, 2016 (surgical strikes), February 14, 2019 (Pulwama attack).

Q: What is the primary shift in India's counter-terror doctrine as described in the article?

From passive restraint and warnings to proactive military action treating cross-border terror as an act of war, The article clearly outlines that India moved from a strategy of merely warning Pakistan without punitive action (passive restraint) to a bold strategy that classifies cross-border terror as an 'act of war', demonstrated by surgical strikes, Balakot, and Operation Sindoor.

Security & Defence Intl. Relations PolityCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

13 Sept 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:9/11 (Sept 11, 2001)26/11 (Nov 2008)Operation Parakram (Dec 2001)Surgical Strikes (Sept 28-29, 2016)Balakot Airstrike (Feb 2019)Operation Sindoor (May 6-7, 2025)

Bodies:Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)al-QaedaIslamic StateIndian Air Force (IAF)Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)BRICS

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.India's counter-terror strategy evolved from defensive restraint (post-9/11, 26/11) to proactive cross-border strikes (2016 Uri surgical strikes, 2019 Balakot airstrikes, 2025 Operation Sindoor).

2.In Feb 2026, India unveiled 'PRAHAAR', its first National Counter-Terrorism Policy, adopting a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach.

3.The article highlights a four-fold strategy: eliminate terror remnants, pre-emptive military action, de-radicalisation, and cutting terror financing.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

India has evolved from a passive counter-terrorism posture to a proactive, punitive strategy, marked by cross-border surgical strikes, Operation Sindoor (2025), and the release of its first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, 'PRAHAAR' (Feb 2026). This shift, from restraint to treating cross-border terror as an 'act of war', is a critical development for UPSC, MPSC, and Security-focused exams.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Policy NamePRAHAAR (National Counter-Terrorism Policy)

Date of Policy LaunchFebruary 23, 2026

Key Operation (2025)Operation Sindoor (May 6-7, 2025)

First Cross-Border StrikesSurgical Strikes (Sept 28-29, 2016) after Uri attack (Sept 18, 2016)

India's 9/11 Moment26/11 Mumbai Attacks (Nov 2008)

1-Minute Revision

›Policy Name: PRAHAAR (National Counter-Terrorism Policy)
›Date of Policy Launch: February 23, 2026
›Target this Data: PRAHAAR policy launched on February 23, 2026.
›Target this Operation: Operation Sindoor (May 6-7, 2025) - the first to hit Pakistan's terror network's 'heart'.
›Target this Statement: India declared that any future cross-border terror will be treated as an 'act of war' and nuclear blackmail will no longer be a restraint.

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News Snapshot

🛡️

From Restraint to Proactive Action

India's counter-terror strategy has shifted from a passive, warning-based policy to one that classifies cross-border terror as an 'act of war', with military responses like Balakot and Operation Sindoor.

📜

PRAHAAR - First National Policy

On Feb 23, 2026, India launched its first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy, focusing on prevention, de-radicalisation, and coordinated whole-of-government action.

🌍

Global Leadership on Terror

At SCO and BRICS summits (2026), PM Modi called out double standards on terrorism, securing an exclusive mention of the Pahalgam attack in the BRICS Delhi Declaration.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The article traces India's counter-terror evolution from the 1990s, highlighting early passive responses to major attacks: 1991 Rajiv Gandhi assassination, 1993 Mumbai blasts, 1999 IC-814 hijacking, and the 2001 Parliament attack (Operation Parakram). Despite conclusive proof of Pakistan's role post-26/11, India initially chose restraint, constrained by nuclear escalation fears and limited options.

Core Analysis & Implications

The article marks a clear inflection point post-2014: India moved to active deterrence through 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The 2025 Pahalgam attack triggered Operation Sindoor (May 6-7), which targeted terror leadership and military assets in Pakistan. This demonstrates a doctrine shift: Pakistan will pay a 'direct and heavy price' for attacks, nuclear blackmail is no longer a deterrent, and unilateral cross-border action is now a policy tool.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

India's four-fold strategy for the future includes: 1) eliminating terror remnants, especially in Kashmir; 2) pre-emptive strikes on launch pads across the LoC; 3) a national de-radicalisation program; and 4) cutting terror financing with international cooperation. The PRAHAAR policy institutionalises this approach, signalling a long-term, coordinated, and assertive posture against cross-border terrorism.

Global and Diplomatic Context

At the SCO Summit in Bishkek (Sept 1, 2026) and the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi successfully pushed for international recognition of India's stance, including an exclusive paragraph on Pahalgam in the Delhi Declaration. This reflects growing global consensus against terrorism as a policy instrument.

Key Facts at a Glance

Policy NamePRAHAAR (National Counter-Terrorism Policy)

Date of Policy LaunchFebruary 23, 2026

Key Operation (2025)Operation Sindoor (May 6-7, 2025)

First Cross-Border StrikesSurgical Strikes (Sept 28-29, 2016) after Uri attack (Sept 18, 2016)

India's 9/11 Moment26/11 Mumbai Attacks (Nov 2008)

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which of the following is India's first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, announced in February 2026?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding India's counter-terror strategy:

1. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks (2008) led to India's first cross-border surgical strikes against Pakistan.

2. Operation Sindoor (May 2025) targeted the leadership and headquarters of LeT and JeM terror networks.

3. India has declared that any future cross-border terror attack will be treated as an 'act of war'.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

On which date did India launch its first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy named 'PRAHAAR'?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary shift in India's counter-terror doctrine as described in the article?

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India Unveils PRAHAAR Policy, Shifts from Restraint to Proactive Counter-Terrorism

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

From Restraint to Proactive Action

PRAHAAR - First National Policy

Global Leadership on Terror

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Global and Diplomatic Context

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance