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

They may ask about the 'number of pillars' in Prahaar (7) or confuse IEA's associate membership (2017) with the year India sought full membership (2023). For AI, they might swap the number of Delhi Declaration signatories (88) with the Paris summit signatories (61).

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

1. Target this Data: The 7 pillars of the 'Prahaar' policy. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for Prahaar; International Energy Agency (IEA) for membership. 3. Target this Legal Point: IEA's founding charter restriction to OECD members.

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News 4 of 35

‘Prahaar’ Counter-Terrorism Policy Unveiled with 7 Pillars, IEA Seeks Charter Change for India’s Full Membership, 88 Nations Sign Delhi AI Declaration

Q: Which ministry announced India's first counter-terrorism policy 'Prahaar'?

Ministry of Home Affairs, The article explicitly states that the 'Prahaar' policy was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The MHA is the nodal ministry for internal security and counter-terrorism in India.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the International Energy Agency (IEA): 1. It was created in 1974 as a response to the global oil crisis triggered by the Yom Kippur War. 2. Its founding legal framework restricts full membership only to countries that are members of the OECD. 3. India became an associate member of the IEA in the year 2020. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct: The IEA was created in 1974 after the oil embargo following the Yom Kippur War. Statement 2 is correct: The article confirms the IEA's charter restricts full membership to OECD countries. Statement 3 is incorrect: India became an associate member in 2017, not 2020.

Q: According to the news, how many countries and international organisations endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact announced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026?

88, The article states that the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was endorsed by 88 countries and international organisations. The figure 61 refers to the signatories at the previous Paris AI Action Summit in 2025.

Q: What is the primary significance of India's 'Prahaar' counter-terrorism policy as outlined in the article?

It establishes India's first comprehensive, multi-layered framework built on zero tolerance and intelligence-led prevention., The article defines 'Prahaar' as India's first counter-terrorism policy, describing it as a 'comprehensive framework' structured on seven key pillars including prevention and zero tolerance. While military action (like Operation Sindoor) is a part of the response, the policy's core is its structured, preventive, and holistic approach.

Security & Defence Intl. Relations Science & Tech PolityCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

24 Feb 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:7 pillars33 IEA members88 AI Declaration signatories81,000 SC pending cases62.4 lakh HC pending cases4.7 crore subordinate court pending cases

Bodies:Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)International Energy Agency (IEA)Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)NCERTSupreme Court of India

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.India's Ministry of Home Affairs launched its first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy 'Prahaar', built on seven pillars including prevention, response, and a zero-tolerance approach.

2.India's bid for full membership in the International Energy Agency (IEA) requires an amendment to its founding charter, which currently restricts membership to OECD countries.

3.The India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded with the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, endorsed by 88 countries, focusing on collaborative and inclusive AI governance.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

This compilation covers high-stakes developments in national security, international energy governance, and global AI diplomacy. India’s first counter-terrorism policy 'Prahaar' establishes a structured framework, while its push for full IEA membership hinges on amending the agency's OECD-only charter. Concurrently, India has positioned itself as a key convener in AI governance with the New Delhi Declaration.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Prahaar Pillars7 (Prevention, Response, Capacity, Human Rights, Countering Radicalisation, Global Alignment, Recovery)

IEA Full Members33 (including Colombia, inducted 2026)

Delhi AI Declaration Signatories88 Countries & Organizations

Pending Cases (SC, HCs, Subordinate)81,000; 62.4 Lakh; 4.7 Crore

1-Minute Revision

›Prahaar Pillars: 7 (Prevention, Response, Capacity, Human Rights, Countering Radicalisation, Global Alignment, Recovery)
›IEA Full Members: 33 (including Colombia, inducted 2026)
›Target this Data: The 7 pillars of the 'Prahaar' policy.
›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for Prahaar; International Energy Agency (IEA) for membership.
›Target this Legal Point: IEA's founding charter restriction to OECD members.

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News Snapshot

🛡️

Prahaar Policy

India's first counter-terrorism policy 'Prahaar' is a zero-tolerance, intelligence-led framework structured on seven key pillars.

⚡

IEA Membership Hurdle

India's request for full IEA membership necessitates amending the agency's founding charter, which restricts membership to OECD countries.

🤖

AI Governance Push

India hosted the AI Impact Summit, resulting in the New Delhi Declaration endorsed by 88 nations, positioning itself in global AI governance.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

India's counter-terrorism strategy has evolved through responses like the surgical strikes (2016) and Balakot airstrikes (2019). The need for a formal, comprehensive doctrine led to 'Prahaar'. Simultaneously, India's growing energy consumption and climate commitments drive its engagement with the IEA, while its digital public infrastructure ambitions underpin its leadership push in global AI governance.

Core Analysis & Implications

'Prahaar' shifts India's CT approach from reactive to proactive, emphasizing intelligence-led prevention and a 'whole-of-society' model. It acknowledges challenges like crypto-financed terrorism and drone misuse. For the IEA, amending its OECD-only charter for India would recognize its status as a major energy consumer and clean energy player. The Delhi AI Declaration, though voluntary, establishes India as a convening power from the Global South, balancing innovation with sovereignty and inclusion.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The operationalization of 'Prahaar' will test inter-agency coordination and technological adaptation. IEA charter amendment talks will be a litmus test for global energy governance inclusivity. The principles of the Delhi AI Declaration will need concrete follow-up in domestic policy (like the PM's MANAV vision) and international forums to move from dialogue to tangible governance frameworks.

Linkage to Broader Syllabus

This news integrates GS-II (Government Policies, International Institutions), GS-III (Internal Security, Science & Tech), and GS-I (History - decolonisation symbols). It tests understanding of non-traditional security threats (CBRNED, cyber), the evolution of multilateral institutions, and the geopolitics of emerging technologies.

Key Facts at a Glance

Prahaar Pillars7 (Prevention, Response, Capacity, Human Rights, Countering Radicalisation, Global Alignment, Recovery)

IEA Full Members33 (including Colombia, inducted 2026)

Delhi AI Declaration Signatories88 Countries & Organizations

Pending Cases (SC, HCs, Subordinate)81,000; 62.4 Lakh; 4.7 Crore

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which ministry announced India's first counter-terrorism policy 'Prahaar'?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the International Energy Agency (IEA):

1. It was created in 1974 as a response to the global oil crisis triggered by the Yom Kippur War.

2. Its founding legal framework restricts full membership only to countries that are members of the OECD.

3. India became an associate member of the IEA in the year 2020.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the news, how many countries and international organisations endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact announced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary significance of India's 'Prahaar' counter-terrorism policy as outlined in the article?

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