Internal Security: Examining the Working of the Home Ministry
Distilled Policy Brief
- Under the Constitution, 'public order' and 'police' are state list subjects, while the Ministry of Home Affairs is primarily responsible for internal security, centre-state governance issues, and disaster management.
- The MHA implements the Modernisation of Police Forces scheme to supplement state resources for police infrastructure and weaponry, though CAG audits have highlighted persistent shortages of modern arms and underutilisation of funds by states.
- Major internal security challenges facing the country include cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Left Wing Extremism, and insurgency in the North-Eastern states.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Under the Constitution of India, 'public order' and 'police' are state list subjects, while internal security, border management, and disaster management are managed centrally by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Critically analyze the operational and financial bottlenecks in state police modernization and the growing dependence on Central Armed Police Forces for internal security.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the governance of internal security in India, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Constitution of India, 'public order' and 'police' are subjects under the State List. 2. Conducting the decennial population census and implementing provisions relating to official languages fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 3. The Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs to supplement state resources for police infrastructure and weaponry. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
All three statements are correct. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, 'police' and 'public order' are State List subjects. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) discharges key administrative functions including conducting the ten-year population census and implementing official language provisions, alongside running the Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme to assist state governments.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.