Defence & Internal Security MCQs for UPSC Prelims — February 2026

Q1. With reference to the 'PRAHAAR' policy of 2026, consider the following as components of its doctrine: 1. Attenuation of conditions that enable terrorism and radicalisation 2. Reduction of India's overall defence expenditure as a share of GDP 3. Alignment and shaping of international efforts to counter terrorism 4. Human rights and rule-of-law based approach while responding to threats Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a pillar of PRAHAAR?

1. Attenuation of conditions that enable terrorism and radicalisation
2. Reduction of India's overall defence expenditure as a share of GDP
3. Alignment and shaping of international efforts to counter terrorism
4. Human rights and rule-of-law based approach while responding to threats

• A. 2 only
• B. 1 and 3
• C. 2 and 4
• D. 3 only

Q2. The acronym 'PRAHAAR', adopted for India's National Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy released in 2026, is formed from how many guiding pillars?

• A. Five
• B. Six
• C. Seven
• D. Nine

Q3. The PRAHAAR National Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy (2026) describes India's counter-terror approach as being primarily guided by which one of the following?

• A. Kinetic-response-led, prioritising rapid deployment of special forces
• B. Legislation-led, prioritising new statutes over operational doctrine
• C. Intelligence-Guided, according primacy to intelligence gathering and dissemination to executive agencies
• D. Diplomacy-led, prioritising bilateral extradition treaties over domestic disruption

Q4. With reference to the 'PRAHAAR' policy released by the Government of India in 2026, consider the following as its stated pillars: 1. Prevention of terror attacks 2. Response to threats in a swift and proportionate manner 3. Aggregating Internal Capacities through a whole-of-government approach 4. Recovery and Resilience through an inclusive, whole-of-society approach Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Prevention of terror attacks
2. Response to threats in a swift and proportionate manner
3. Aggregating Internal Capacities through a whole-of-government approach
4. Recovery and Resilience through an inclusive, whole-of-society approach

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 3 only
• C. 2, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. With reference to recent developments, the 'PRAHAAR — National Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy', made public in February 2026, was released by which one of the following?

• A. Ministry of Defence
• B. Ministry of Home Affairs
• C. Ministry of External Affairs
• D. Cabinet Secretariat through the National Security Council Secretariat

Q6. Which one of the following was the first insurgent outfit in the Northeast to enter into a formal ceasefire with the Government of India that opened the way for the present-day Naga peace process?

• A. NSCN (Khaplang) in 2001
• B. NSCN (Isak-Muivah) in 1997
• C. United Liberation Front of Asom in 2011
• D. National Democratic Front of Bodoland in 2005

Q7. In the context of India's internal security, the 'Framework Agreement of August 2015' refers to which one of the following?

• A. An accord between the Government of India and the United Liberation Front of Asom (pro-talks faction) on Assam autonomy
• B. An agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) outlining the principles of a final Naga political settlement
• C. An accord between the Government of India and the Bodoland Territorial Council expanding Sixth Schedule areas
• D. An agreement between the Government of India and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland on disbandment and rehabilitation

Q8. Which one of the following Central Armed Police Forces was the FIRST to amend its recruitment rules to reserve 50% of Group-C (constable) vacancies for ex-Agniveers in 2025?

• A. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
• B. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
• C. Border Security Force (BSF)
• D. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)