SSB GD TOPIC NOTES: India’s major problem in becoming a superpower Terrorism,Naxalism,Separatism 

Fresh SSB Batches start around 1st and 15th of every month

India is facing several challenges on its path to becoming a superpower. Which of these in your opinion is the most complex problemand must be addressed first?(a) Terrorism(b) Naxalism(c) separatism

Introduction

• India is steadily progressing towards becoming a global superpower. 
• However, internal security challenges such as terrorism, naxalism, and separatism continue to slow down national growth and stability. 
• Each of these threats affects India in different ways and needs serious attention.
  

• Terrorism remains one of the biggest threats to India’s national security and global image.
•  India has witnessed several major terrorist attacks in the past. The 2008 Mumbai attacks resulted in the death of around 166 people, including foreign nationals, and exposed vulnerabilities in coastal and urban security. 
• Similarly, the Pulwama attack in 2019, where 40 CRPF personnel were martyred, ✅highlighted the continued threat of cross-border terrorism.
• According to government and global security reports, India has faced terrorist threats mainly from Pakistan-based terror organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
•  Terrorism affects tourism, foreign investment, and public confidence. For instance, after major attacks, tourism and economic activity in affected regions often decline. 
• To counter terrorism, India has strengthened agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), improved border surveillance, and enhanced intelligence coordination. 
• Operations such as surgical strikes in 2016 and the Balakot airstrike in 2019 demonstrated India’s proactive response to terrorism.

Naxalism📝

• Naxalism is an internal insurgency driven by socio-economic inequality, lack of development, and tribal exploitation. 
• It mainly affects states located in the “Red Corridor,” including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
• At its peak around 2010, Naxalism affected nearly 200 districts across India. ✅
• Due to government intervention, it has now reduced to around 70 districts, ✅showing improvement but still remaining a serious challenge. 
• According to Ministry of Home Affairs data, several security personnel and civilians have lost their lives in Naxal-related violence over the years.
•  For example, the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur attack in Chhattisgarh, where 22 security personnel were martyred, highlighted the intensity of this threat.
• What makes Naxalism complex is that it is not just a law and order problem. 
• It arises due to land disputes, unemployment, poverty, and lack of education and healthcare facilities in tribal areas. 
• The government has adopted both security and developmental approaches such as building roads, opening schools, providing skill training, and implementing schemes like the Aspirational District Programme to improve living standards in affected areas.

• Separatism refers to movements demanding independence or greater autonomy from the Indian Union. 
• It has been observed in regions like Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the Northeast such as Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam.✅
• Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed separatist movements for decades. Militancy in the 1990s caused heavy casualties among civilians and security forces.
•  After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, ✅the government aimed to integrate the region more closely with the rest of India.
•  Reports indicate that terrorist recruitment and violent incidents in the region have gradually declined, and there has been an increase in tourism and infrastructure development.
• In the Northeast, insurgent groups like NSCN in Nagaland and ULFA in Assam have demanded autonomy or independence in the past. 
• However, peace talks, ceasefire agreements, and development initiatives have reduced insurgency in many areas. 
• For example, the government signed peace agreements with several groups to promote stability and economic development.
• Separatism mainly arises due to identity concerns, political grievances, and economic neglect. It affects national unity and slows regional development.

Conclusion📝

• Terrorism, naxalism, and separatism are all serious challenges that impact India’s internal security and growth. 
• Terrorism threatens national security and international relations, separatism challenges national unity and integration, while naxalism highlights socio-economic inequality and governance gaps. 
• Among these, naxalism is often considered more complex because it is deeply connected to developmental and social issues, requiring long-term solutions beyond security operations.
• For India to achieve its goal of becoming a superpower, it must adopt a balanced approach that includes strong security measures, inclusive development, effective governance, and active public participation.
•  Addressing these challenges collectively will ensure national stability, economic progress, and social harmony.