MHA Releases ‘PRAHAAR’, India’s First National Counter-Terror Policy

The Ministry of Home Affairs on 23 February 2026 released India’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy, titled “PRAHAAR”, outlining a national framework to address threats ranging from cross-border terrorism and cyber-attacks to the misuse of drones, encryption and emerging technologies.

The strategy states that India faces terror risks across land, air and maritime domains and that capacities have been developed to secure critical infrastructure — including power, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space and atomic energy — from state and non-state actors.

It underscores that India does not link terrorism to any specific religion, ethnicity, nationality or civilisation while noting the long-standing challenge of sponsored terrorism from across the border and the role of jihadi groups and their affiliates in planning attacks.

The document names global outfits such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as attempting to incite violence through sleeper cells and highlights the growing use of social media, instant messaging platforms, the dark web and crypto wallets for recruitment, propaganda and funding. It also flags attempts by terror groups to access CBRNED materials and the increasing use of organised criminal networks for logistics.

Calling for an intelligence-led and whole-of-government approach, the policy identifies local police as first responders, with specialised state and central forces and the National Security Guard providing support. Investigations by the National Investigation Agency and state agencies, along with higher prosecution rates, are aimed at deterrence.

The roadmap stresses the need to involve legal experts from the FIR stage to prosecution, expand real-time intelligence sharing through the Multi Agency Centre, and strengthen international cooperation on extradition and terror designations.

It also focuses on counter-radicalisation through graded police responses, community engagement, prison reforms and targeted outreach to vulnerable youth, while reaffirming adherence to human rights and the rule of law.