UPSC 2025 · GS 2
Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?
Read this PYQ →GS 2 · Federalism and Centre–State relations
Bihar Pushes for Centre-State Coordination to Curb Infiltration Along Nepal Border
Published · Updated
Recent administrative directives in Bihar emphasizing enhanced collaboration between central security apparatuses and state machinery to manage the porous India-Nepal border underscore critical challenges in regional internal security. The push to curb illicit cross-border movement, alongside instructions to audit unregistered religious sites, highlights the intricate intersection of federal cooperative frameworks, border management, and local administrative enforcement.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR MAINS
Examine: move beyond the headline.
This topic tests candidates' understanding of cooperative federalism in managing internal security threats across porous international borders. It demands an evaluation of how states coordinate with central agencies for border surveillance while balancing civil administration, legal due process, and communal harmony in sensitive geopolitical zones.
Study angle, not an exam prediction · GS 2 / Constitution & polity
Background and Vulnerabilities of the Open India-Nepal Border
- The 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship permits free movement of citizens across an open, largely unfenced border, fostering deep socio-cultural ties but creating unique security vulnerabilities.
- Porous terrain across districts in Bihar has historically been exploited for illicit trade, smuggling of contraband, and illegal infiltration by third-country nationals.
- Deployment of the Sashastra Seema Bal as the designated border guarding force provides primary deterrence, yet its effectiveness depends heavily on grassroots intelligence sharing with local state police.
Imperatives of Centre-State Cooperative Federalism in Internal Security
- Under the Indian Constitution, police and public order fall under the State List, while defence and external affairs rest with the Union, making seamless synergy imperative for effective border policing.
- Infiltration management requires harmonizing central intelligence inputs with state-level law enforcement actions to neutralize local sleeper cells and trafficking networks operating in border zones.
- Institutionalizing joint coordination committees ensures that resource constraints at the district level do not compromise national security imperatives along international boundaries.
Administrative Auditing and Regulation of Religious Sites
- Recent administrative mandates requiring the identification and verification of unregistered religious sites aim to plug regulatory grey areas that can occasionally be misused for unauthorized activities.
- Such state-led audits demand scrupulous adherence to due process and statutory guidelines to prevent arbitrary actions and safeguard communal harmony in sensitive border districts.
- Balancing public safety mandates with constitutional protections for religious freedom requires transparent institutional frameworks and consultation with local stakeholders.
Way Forward for Comprehensive Border Governance
- Upgrading physical and technological infrastructure, including smart fencing, thermal imaging, and high-resolution surveillance systems, can mitigate human resource limitations in rugged terrain.
- Strengthening community policing initiatives along border villages fosters vital human intelligence networks, enabling authorities to track suspicious demographic shifts and illegal entries early.
- Fostering a nuanced diplomatic and administrative dialogue with local authorities across the international boundary can help streamline cross-border regulation without alienating border-dwelling populations.
TRY THE DEMAND · ORIGINAL PRACTICE PROMPT
Evaluate the challenges of managing open international borders in India through cooperative federalism. Discuss how enhanced Centre-State coordination can address internal security concerns without disrupting socio-economic and cultural linkages along the border regions.
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How this theme has been asked
UPSC 2024 · GS 2
What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.
Read this PYQ →UPSC 2015 · GS 2
The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.
Read this PYQ →UPSC 2014 · GS 2
Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.
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GS 2 · Constitution & polity
Omar Abdullah’s Statehood Resolution and Amendments for Article 370 in J&K Assembly
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GS 2 · Constitution & polity
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GS 3 · Science, technology & security
Goldy Brar Added to FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List
In September 2026, Satinderjeet Singh, widely known as Goldy Brar and linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate, was officially added to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, carrying a reward of up to $1 million. This milestone highlights the escalating international dimensions of Indian organized crime syndicates and underscores intensified cross-border law enforcement cooperation between India and Western security agencies.