UPSC Mains PYQs on Border Areas and Organised Crime (GS Paper 3)
Every UPSC Mains question on Border Areas and Organised Crime between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 20 questions on Border Areas and Organised Crime (syllabus item 22 of GS Paper 3) between 2013 and 2025, worth 242.5 marks in all, about 1.8 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Organized Crime and Terrorism (10), Border Area Management (7), Maritime Security challenges (3). The busiest year was 2023 (3 questions, 35 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 3, item 22: Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
Border Areas and Organised Crime: questions year-wise with marks
2025 2 questions · 25 marks
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Why is maritime security vital to protect India's sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.
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Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain.
2024 2 questions · 25 marks
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India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development being undertaken in these areas under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme.
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Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism.
2023 3 questions · 35 marks
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The use of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.
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Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the ' No Money for Terror [NMFT]' Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022.
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Winning of 'Hearts and Minds' in terrorism affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.
2022 2 questions · 20 marks
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What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security.
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Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels.
2021 1 question · 15 marks
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Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
2020 1 question · 10 marks
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For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals.
2019 2 questions · 25 marks
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Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges.
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The banning of 'Jamaat-e – islaami' in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs.
2017 1 question · 15 marks
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The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?
2016 3 questions · 37.5 marks
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Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.
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Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades. Analyse the above statement.
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The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.
2014 2 questions · 25 marks
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How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India's security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration.
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In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime organisation. What impact does this have on India's maritime security concerns?
2013 1 question · 10 marks
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How far are India's internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Border Areas and Organised Crime at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 3, item 22 (Internal Security) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 20 (2013-2025), about 1.8 a year |
| Total marks | 242.5 marks |
| Last five years | 10 questions, 120 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (9 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (9), Suggest (4), Explain (1), Examine (1) |
| Busiest year | 2023 (3 questions, 35 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2024 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2023 | 3 | 35 marks |
| 2022 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2019 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2017 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2016 | 3 | 37.5 marks |
| 2014 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 marks |
| Total | 20 | 242.5 marks |
Microthemes in Border Areas and Organised Crime
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Organized Crime and Terrorism 10 · 120 marks
- Border Area Management 7 · 85 marks
- Maritime Security challenges 3 · 37.5 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 3
- 01. Indian Economy: Growth and Development 22 · 272.5 marks
- 02. Inclusive Growth 12 · 145 marks
- 03. Government Budgeting 8 · 97.5 marks
- 04. Major Crops and Cropping Patterns 12 · 157.5 marks
- 05. Irrigation 6 · 72.5 marks
- 06. Agricultural Storage, Transport and Marketing 5 · 57.5 marks
- 07. E-Technology for Farmers 4 · 50 marks
- 08. Farm Subsidies, MSP and PDS 12 · 150 marks
- 09. Animal Rearing 1 · 12.5 marks
- 10. Food Processing Industries 7 · 82.5 marks
- 11. Land Reforms 7 · 77.5 marks
- 12. Liberalisation and Industrial Policy 14 · 160 marks
- 13. Infrastructure and Investment Models 15 · 177.5 marks
- 14. Science and Technology in Everyday Life 14 · 147.5 marks
- 15. Indian Achievements and Indigenisation in S&T 5 · 57.5 marks
- 16. IT, Space, Robotics, Nano and Biotechnology, IPR 23 · 282.5 marks
- 17. Conservation, Pollution and EIA 32 · 395 marks
- 18. Disaster Management 16 · 205 marks
- 19. Development and Extremism 8 · 97.5 marks
- 20. External State and Non-State Actors 5 · 62.5 marks
- 21. Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering 16 · 190 marks
- 23. Security Forces and Agencies 4 · 57.5 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on Border Areas and Organised Crime?
20 questions on Border Areas and Organised Crime appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 between 2013 and 2025, worth 242.5 marks in all. That is about 1.8 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Border Areas and Organised Crime microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Border Areas and Organised Crime are Organized Crime and Terrorism (10), Border Area Management (7), Maritime Security challenges (3). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was Border Areas and Organised Crime asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Border Areas and Organised Crime was 2023 (3 questions, 35 marks). The lightest was 2021 (1 questions, 15 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Border Areas and Organised Crime questions carry?
Of the 20 questions on Border Areas and Organised Crime, 6 of 15 marks, 5 of 12.5 marks, 9 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on Border Areas and Organised Crime?
The directive words in the 20 questions on Border Areas and Organised Crime are Discuss (9), Suggest (4), Explain (1), Examine (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is Border Areas and Organised Crime important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 10 questions on Border Areas and Organised Crime, worth 120 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 7, worth 87.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Border Areas and Organised Crime belong to?
Border Areas and Organised Crime belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 3, titled Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Border Areas and Organised Crime PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules