National Security, Defence and Strategic Environment
This domain tests how India defines security, who guards it, and how the neighbourhood and major powers shape strategy.
What security includes
Territorial integrity and border management, internal security (terrorism, Left-Wing Extremism, north-east insurgency), cyber and information security, and energy, food and health security. India has roughly 15,200 km of land border and 7,516.6 km of coastline including island territories.
Institutions
National Security Council (1998) with the NSA; Intelligence Bureau (internal intelligence); R&AW (external, 1968); NTRO (technical intelligence, 2004); NIA (2008, terrorism cases); NSG (1984); NDRF (2006); CDS and Department of Military Affairs (2019). The Kargil Review Committee (1999–2000) and the Shekatkar Committee (2016) drove reform.
Doctrines and groupings
Nuclear doctrine: credible minimum deterrence with No First Use; the triad is completed by INS Arihant. The Army's Cold Start doctrine dates from 2004. Diplomatically: Act East, SAGAR, Neighbourhood First, Quad, SCO and BIMSTEC.
Worked example
"A hostile drone crosses the Punjab border at night. Who acts?" Reasoning: the response is layered - BSF or local police detect and report, the IAF and dedicated counter-drone systems engage, and intelligence agencies investigate the launch point. Naming one agency only misses the layered design and loses the mark.
Traps
- No First Use is declared policy, not a treaty obligation.
- The NSC advises; it does not command forces.
- Confusing internal (IB) and external (R&AW) intelligence mandates.