Ministry Of Home Affairs (MHA)

Policy Update
Nomula Pranay Goud

Introduction

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) performs various duties, the significant ones among them in – Internal Security, Administration of the Border, Centre-State Relationship, The Administration of Union Territories, The Administration of the Central Armed Police Forces, Disaster Management, etc. Still, considering the Entries 1 and 2 of List II – approaching the 7th Schedule to the Constitution of India, which includes being concerned with ‘State List’, of which ‘public order’ and ‘police’ are the matters under the jurisdiction of the States, Article 355 recognizes the feature of the Constitution in which it instructs the Union to defend with every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is maintained in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

To discharge these duties, the Ministry of Home Affairs keeps a constant watch on the internal security situation and proffers relevant advisories and provides intelligence inputs to the State Governments and also provides manpower and financial assistance, guidance and expertise to the State Governments to maintain security, peace and harmony by not interfering with the constitutional powers of the States.

Functioning

Formulation of Policies & Governance: Formulation of laws & policies pertaining to internal security (e.g. UAPA, AFSPA). Inter-state coordination on maintenance of law and order and policing. Management of Union Territories (Delhi, J&K, Ladakh, etc.). The action of approving President Rule (Article 356) in the states within constitutional crisis.

Internal security & Counter terrorism: Inhabitants of internal intelligence are collected by Intelligence Bureau (IB). Real-Time terror alerts are shared by Multi-Agency Centre (MAC). The terrorist cases are investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is a group that fights against traffic in drugs. There is Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) which sends in CRPF, or COBRA commandos in Naxal affected regions. Introduces developmental programs in war hit regions.

Border Coastal Security: The Border Guarding Forces are BSF (Pakistan & Bangladesh border), ITBP (Chinese border) and SSB (Nepal and Bhutan borders)

Coastal Security: Liaises with the Indian Coast Guard as well as the Navy. The monitors keep check of the sea threats after 26/11.

Police and law enforcement modernization: Central Armed police Forces (CAPFs) like Anti-riot/ Counter-insurgency CRPF and CISF (metro, VIP and industrial security)

Disaster Management: Policies are formulated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). 10 battalions of NDRF to assist in rescue during earthquake, flood and cyclone. Early Warning Systems are given(e.g. IMD coordination).

Performance

Enhanced Internal Security for the reduction of terrorism in J&K: The number of terror incidents fell by 32% (2023 vs 2018) following Article 370 abrogation (2019). The number of stone-pelting fell by 90% (MHA data). The number of Naxal-affected districts decreased up to 45% (2023). There were 130+ Maoists (2022-23) COBRA operations neutralized by CRPF. The NIA convictions declined at 94% (2023). Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) was made rigorous.

Border and coastal security: BSF curbed the international smuggling activities (drones, drugs) by 40% .Laser walls (fencing & tech surveillance) on the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders were installed. More than 100 seaside police centers in use. Sagar Kavach trains with the Navy and Coast Guard.

Upgrades and modernization of Police, and technologies with the Crime tracking network (CCTNS): Police stations (100% digitized in real time crime data).The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is integrated.

Control of Cybercrime: In 2023, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) blocked 350 thousand fraud SIMs/websites. 15+ lakh complaints were filed in the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.

Disaster Management: Over the last four years, NDRF saved 1.5 + Lakh lives during floods/cyclones.

Reforms of Citizenship and Immigration: Notifications given to minorities persecuted (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh). Arrested and Removed 35,000+ Illegal immigrants (2020-23).

Impact

Better Policing: The modernization programs and projects such as CCTNS and ICJS see to it that policing is more technology driven and effective.

Anti-Terrorism & Extremism: In the unilateral strike against terror, groups such as NIA and IB under MHA have busted terror cells and cut the Leap Wing Extremism to a considerable level in many parts.

Border Management: There has been increased national security due to increased fencing or the use of surveillance technology, and upgradation of infrastructure by the BSF, ITBP, and Assam Rifles in strengthening borders.

Northeast Peace Accords: Peace negotiations with the insurgent, organizations such as NLFT, factions of NSCN have been brought through successful peace talks thus cutting out violence and allowing development to come about.

Jammu and Kashmir: Since the abrogation of Article 370 (2019), the role of the MHA has been front and center of matters concerning security in the state and development work.

Advocacy of Community harmony: By means such as running advertisements on community harmony as in the form of a week or giving grants in aid to NGOs.

Checking Hate Crimes: Liaises with the state police to check on communal violence and the maintenance of peace.

e-Governance Initiatives: Systems such as Immigration, Visa and Foreigner Registration tracking (IVFRT), NATGRID and smart policing applications have promoted openness and effectiveness.

Smart Cities & Policing: MHA funds safe city projects so that women feel safer and safe control rooms.

Criminal Justice Reforms: MHA is playing a role in the reformulation of legislations such as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and reformation of IPC/CrPC.

Prison Modernization: Encourages reform and correction of prisoners, video conferencing of undertrials and improved infrastructure.

Immigration Management: e-Visa launching period and the optimization at the airports means that the visitors and the NRIs will have a better experience.

Refugee Processing and NRC/CAA Implementation: MHA is mainly controversial when releasing its decisions of what should be classified as citizenship, which is a way of forming political and humanitarian dialogue in India.

Emerging issues

Stalled Main Reforms: Only 60% expenditure was incurred under the Modernization of Police Forces (MPF). The new Bills are (BNSS, BSA), but awaiting implementation.

Increasing Cyber Crimes and Online Frauds: Cyber Frauds rose by 24% (2023 as compared to 2022). Very low Prosecution Rate (<1%) of cybercrime.

Human Rights Issue, Cases of Misuse of UAPA: More than 4,000 people were taken under UAPA (2018-22) yet the conviction rate was low (approximately 2%).

Migrant Crisis Against COVID-19, such a lack of coordination resulted in the exodus of labor (2020).

Northeast and J&K Unrest: MHA has been accused of the late response. Terrorism in J&K is still practiced under the support of Pakistan (Poonch attacks, 2023). Illegal immigration & Deported 35,000 illegals (2020-23).

Way Forward

Enhancing Domestic Defense: Renovation of weapons, training, forensics and surveillance with technologies. Enhance NIA, intelligence exchange and De-radicalization schemes. Ameliorate infrastructure, surveillance (drones, sensors) and help to BSF, ITBP, and Assam Rifles.

Enhancing Centre-state cooperation: Empower the state police by providing funds and training under the centrally sponsored schemes. Make more effective intelligence and operational coordination on Naxalism, organized crime and trafficking. It is to facilitate superior cooperation in cases of law and order without compromising the state autonomy.

Reforms on disaster management: A more effective pre-disaster preparation and post-disaster action. Satellite information, AI, pre-warnings of floods, cyclones and earthquakes.Engage neighbours and NGOs in resilience building.

Technology as an instrument of governance: Enlarge CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems), ICJS.

Integration of Northeast and J&K: Invest in infrastructure and labour situation, boost the dialogue with stakeholders. Install and observe the acceptance of peace negotiations with rebel associations. Encourage sports, culture, and young programmes in sensitive areas.

Human Rights and Prison Reforms: Lessen prison conditions and rush through the trial of under-trial persons and encourage reformation. Increase the role of surveillance institutions such as State Police Complaints Authorities.

National Integration and Communal Harmony: Military campaigns, education programs and influence groups to promote constitutional values and social harmony. Surveillance of social media and an increased response system.

References

About Ministry of Home Affairs, MHA.gov.in https://xn--i1b5bzbybhfo5c8b4bxh.xn--11b7cb3a6a.xn--h2brj9c/en/page/about-ministry
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/A1967-37.pdf
Internal Security https://www.mha.gov.in/en/documents/annual-reports
Indian Coast Guard https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/
A Memorandum of Settlement signed by Govt. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2051900
New criminal laws https://www.mha.gov.in/en/commoncontent/new-criminal-laws
Police Modernisation division https://www.mha.gov.in/en/divisionofmha/police-modernisation-division
J&K Reorganisation (Adaption of State Laws), order 2020 https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1609804
MHA scheme for Women (Safe City Project) https://safecity.mha.gov.in/#:~:text=of%20India%20under%20the%20Nirbhaya,based%20violence%20and%2For%20harassment.
Modernisation of police force https://prsindia.org/theprsblog/modernisation-of-police-forces
Increase in cybercrimes https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1992949
Pushback of illegal immigrants https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-pushing-back-illegal-immigrants-to-bangladesh/article69621925.ece
National Disaster Response Force https://www.ndrf.gov.in/
Central Reserve Police Force https://crpf.gov.in/index
National Disaster Management Authority (Government of India) https://ndma.gov.in/About-us

About the Contributor: Nomula Pranay Goud, Masters student in International Relations at Manipal University Jaipur and a Research intern at Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI).

Acknowledgement: The author sincerely thanks Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja and the IMPRI team for their valuable support.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.