UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s post-LWE future, from red sun to new dawn

Q1. The periodic list of Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, and their classification into 'Most Affected Districts', 'Districts of Concern' and 'Other LWE-affected Districts', is maintained by which of the following?

  • A. Left Wing Extremism Division, Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Rural Development Department, Ministry of Rural Development
  • C. Tribal Development Division, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  • D. Internal Security Wing, Ministry of Defence

Q2. With reference to the trend in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts in India, consider the following statements: 1. The number of LWE-affected districts fell from 126 to 90 in April 2018. 2. As of April 2024, the number of LWE-affected districts stood at 38, spread across 9 states. 3. The Ministry of Home Affairs currently groups affected districts into 'Most Affected Districts', 'Districts of Concern' and 'Other LWE-affected Districts'. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The number of LWE-affected districts fell from 126 to 90 in April 2018.
  2. As of April 2024, the number of LWE-affected districts stood at 38, spread across 9 states.
  3. The Ministry of Home Affairs currently groups affected districts into 'Most Affected Districts', 'Districts of Concern' and 'Other LWE-affected Districts'.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. As the 31 March 2026 'Naxal-free India' deadline approached, the Ministry of Home Affairs identified a short list of districts as the 'most affected' by LWE. Which one of the following is NOT correctly identified as one of these 'most affected' districts?

  1. Bijapur (Chhattisgarh)
  2. Sukma (Chhattisgarh)
  3. Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh)
  4. Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q4. Ahead of the 31 March 2026 'Naxal-free India' deadline, to how many districts had the category of 'most affected' LWE districts been reduced (down from 6)?

  • A. 3
  • B. 6
  • C. 11
  • D. 38

Q5. The 'SAMADHAN' doctrine, an eight-pillar operational strategy against Left Wing Extremism, was enunciated and is operationalised under which of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Defence
  • C. National Investigation Agency
  • D. National Security Council Secretariat

Q6. In the anti-LWE 'SAMADHAN' doctrine, the leading component denoted by the first letter 'S' stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Smart Leadership
  • B. Strategic Command
  • C. Special Forces deployment
  • D. Surrender and rehabilitation

Q7. With reference to the 'National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE', consider the following statements: 1. It was approved in 2015. 2. It was formulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 3. Unlike earlier approaches, it is confined solely to security operations and excludes development measures. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It was approved in 2015.
  2. It was formulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  3. Unlike earlier approaches, it is confined solely to security operations and excludes development measures.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. With reference to the history of Left Wing Extremism in India, consider the following statements: 1. The April 2010 Dantewada ambush, in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed, was the deadliest single Maoist attack on security forces. 2. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006) described Left Wing Extremism as the single biggest internal security challenge facing the country. 3. The CPI (Maoist) was formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The April 2010 Dantewada ambush, in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed, was the deadliest single Maoist attack on security forces.
  2. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006) described Left Wing Extremism as the single biggest internal security challenge facing the country.
  3. The CPI (Maoist) was formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. With reference to laws governing tribal areas in LWE-affected regions, consider the following statements: 1. The PESA Act, 1996 extends the provisions of Part IX (Panchayats) of the Constitution to the Fifth Schedule (Scheduled) Areas. 2. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 3. Of the ten PESA states, eight have notified their State PESA Rules. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The PESA Act, 1996 extends the provisions of Part IX (Panchayats) of the Constitution to the Fifth Schedule (Scheduled) Areas.
  2. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  3. Of the ten PESA states, eight have notified their State PESA Rules.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3