Centre Finalises India’s First National Anti-Terror Policy

The Union government is in the final stages of drafting India’s first comprehensive anti-terror policy, aimed at providing a uniform framework for States to prevent, combat, and respond to terrorist incidents. Senior officials have indicated that the policy will address emerging threats such as digital radicalisation, misuse of open borders, and foreign-funded conversion networks, reflecting evolving security challenges.

Role of Home Ministry and NIA

The policy is being finalised by the Ministry of Home Affairs with substantive inputs from the National Investigation Agency. An NIA official confirmed that the agency has contributed operational and intelligence perspectives to the document. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced in November that a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy would be introduced in the near future.

Key Focus Areas of the Proposed Policy

Among the critical issues under discussion are online radicalisation, Aadhaar spoofing, and foreign-funded conversion rackets. The misuse of open borders, particularly along the Nepal frontier, has also been flagged as a priority concern. Officials noted that the policy aims to strengthen coordination between central and State agencies to pre-empt terror activities before they materialise.

Consultations with States and Security Agencies

Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, the NIA held meetings with anti-terror units from all States to discuss preventive measures and response mechanisms. The use of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), a secure platform enabling authorised agencies to access multiple government and private databases, has been a key point of deliberation. In recent months, NIA Director General Sadanand Date and National Security Guard chief Brighu Srinivasan have briefed several State police chiefs on emerging terror methodologies.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• India’s first National Counter Terrorism Policy is being finalised by the MHA.
• The NIA has provided key operational inputs to the policy.
• Digital radicalisation and misuse of open borders are priority concerns.
• NATGRID supports intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies.

Context and Upcoming Deliberations

The NIA is set to organise an anti-terror conference in Delhi on December 26 and 27, where the broad contours of the policy are expected to be shared with stakeholders. The move follows earlier initiatives such as the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan for Left Wing Extremism, signalling the government’s intent to adopt a structured, nationwide approach to counter-terrorism in response to changing threat landscapes.