Introduction

  • PRAHAAR – an acronym for Prevention, Response, Aggregating capacities, Human rights, Attenuating conditions, Aligning international efforts, Recovery.
  • Unveiled on 25 February 2026 by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • Marks India's shift to a proactive, intelligence‑driven, whole‑of‑government & whole‑of‑society counter‑terrorism framework.

Key Pillars & Components

1. Prevention

  • Real‑time intelligence sharing via Multi‑Agency Centre (MAC) and Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) under the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
  • Counter‑terror use of internet, dismantling over‑ground workers (OGWs), disrupting arms‑terror nexus.
  • Protection of critical infrastructure (power, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space, atomic energy).

2. Response

  • Local police as first responders; supported by State Counter‑Terror Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
  • National Security Guard (NSG) – elite intervention agency.
  • Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by MHA; coordination through MAC.
  • Post‑incident investigation by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

3. Aggregating Capacities

  • Modernisation of weaponry & technology; uniform training via Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) and CAPFs.
  • Identification of resource gaps; push for a uniform anti‑terror structure across states.

4. Human Rights & Rule of Law

  • Alignment with Protection of Human Rights Act (1993), Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), ICCPR.
  • Legal backbone: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act, 2002, Arms Act, 1959, and the new criminal codes (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam – 2023).
  • Multi‑level judicial redressal from district courts to the Supreme Court.

5. Attenuating Conducive Conditions

  • De‑radicalisation framework involving community leaders, NGOs, religious heads.
  • Graded response: rehabilitation for minor cases, prosecution for hardcore elements.
  • Socio‑economic empowerment and segregation of extremist ideologues in prisons.

6. Aligning International Efforts

  • Utilisation of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs), Extradition Treaties, and Joint Working Groups.
  • Collaboration in UN forums for terrorist designation; sharing best practices.

7. Recovery & Resilience

  • Whole‑of‑Society approach: public‑private partnerships for rapid restoration.
  • Community‑level psychological and infrastructural resilience building.

Emerging Threat Landscape

  • Cross‑border state‑sponsored terrorism, global terror linkages (Al‑Qaeda, ISIS).
  • Use of drones, robotics, CBRNED materials, cryptocurrencies, dark web, and encrypted messaging.
  • Criminal‑terror nexus for logistics and financing.

Implementation Challenges

  • Federal friction: policing is a State List subject; central‑state coordination issues.
  • Capacity asymmetry: many state police lack advanced cyber‑training and equipment.
  • Subjectivity in de‑radicalisation: risk of profiling and inconsistent application.
  • Stringent security laws: concerns over low conviction rates and prolonged detentions.
  • Inter‑departmental silos: historic turf wars hinder seamless intelligence sharing.

Measures to Strengthen PRAHAAR

  • Enhance inter‑agency coordination and update SOPs regularly.
  • Uniform capacity building for State Counter‑Terrorism Units and ATS.
  • Embed legal experts in investigations; create a dedicated cadre of federal prosecutors.
  • Expand global cooperation via MLATs and fast‑track data‑sharing agreements.
  • Invest in technology: AI‑driven big‑data analytics, crypto‑tracking tools, cyber‑forensics labs.
  • Amend IT Rules to hold platforms accountable for extremist content.

Constitutional & Legal Provisions

  • Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty; must be balanced with security measures.
  • Article 352 – Proclamation of Emergency; relevant for large‑scale terror incidents.
  • State List (List II) – Police and public order; necessitates cooperative federalism.
  • UAPA, PMLA, Arms Act, and the 2023 criminal codes provide statutory basis.

Significance for India

  • Provides a holistic, integrated framework to counter evolving terror threats.
  • Aligns India’s internal security architecture with international norms while safeguarding human rights.
  • Addresses technological challenges and cross‑border dimensions, crucial for contemporary security.

Potential UPSC Questions

  • Evaluate the significance of PRAHAAR in the context of India’s internal security challenges.
  • Discuss the role of MAC and IB in the preventive pillar of PRAHAAR.
  • Analyse the constitutional challenges in centralising counter‑terrorism functions.

References

  • Ministry of Home Affairs press release, 25 Feb 2026.
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.
  • Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) – India.