India’s Fight Against Left-Wing Extremism

 

 

1. Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India originated from the Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal in 1967 and was influenced by Maoist ideology and armed revolution.

2. Several extremist groups merged in 2004 to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist), which emerged as the principal Left-Wing Extremist organisation in the country.

3. LWE-related violence peaked in 2010, when 1,936 incidents and 1,005 fatalities were recorded.

4. The National Policy and Action Plan to address Left-Wing Extremism was approved in 2015 and introduced a coordinated whole-of-government approach combining security, development and protection of community rights.

5. Since the Special Central Assistance Scheme began in 2017, approximately ₹4,289.20 crore has been released for development in LWE-affected areas.

6. Under the Special Infrastructure Scheme, projects worth ₹1,761 crore were sanctioned to strengthen Special Forces, intelligence branches, district police and fortified police stations.

7. Since 2014–15, ₹3,805.04 crore has been released under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme for operational support, training, rehabilitation and compensation.

8. The security grid in former LWE-affected regions was strengthened through 663 fortified police stations, 408 new Central Armed Police Forces camps and 68 night-landing helipads.

9. Security operations use specialised forces such as CoBRA, District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Greyhounds and Jharkhand Jaguar, supported by joint training and coordination.

10. Counter-LWE operations increasingly use drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, satellite imagery, Artificial Intelligence-based analysis, location tracking and mobile-data analytics.

11. Under the surrender and rehabilitation framework, higher-ranked cadres receive an immediate grant of ₹5 lakh, while other cadres receive ₹2.5 lakh and a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 for 36 months.

12. A total of 3,927 cadres surrendered between 2024 and March 2026, including 2,337 surrenders during 2025 alone.

13. Under the Road Requirement Plan and Road Connectivity Project for LWE-Affected Areas, 15,189 kilometres of roads were constructed in affected regions.

14. A total of 9,497 mobile towers were commissioned, providing mobile connectivity to 44,728 of the 46,592 villages in the most affected regions.

15. LWE-affected districts declined from 126 in 2014 to zero by March–April 2026, while incidents fell from 870 in 2014 to 33 in 2026 and fatalities declined from 310 to 11.

 

 

Must Know Terms :

 

1.Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) refers to the Maoist-inspired armed insurgency that aims to overthrow the Indian state through violence. India became effectively free from LWE-affected districts on 31 March 2026 through a strategy combining security operations, development, rehabilitation, and good governance.

 

2. Project CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action)

CoBRA is a specialised force of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trained for jungle warfare and anti-Maoist operations. It works alongside DRG, STF, Greyhounds, and other security forces in intelligence-based operations against Left-Wing Extremists.

 

3. National Policy and Action Plan (2015)

Approved in 2015, the National Policy and Action Plan adopted a comprehensive strategy based on Security, Development, and Rights. It replaced the earlier fragmented approach by integrating security operations, infrastructure development, tribal welfare, and rehabilitation.

 

4. Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme

The Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme provides financial support for infrastructure and development projects in Left-Wing Extremism-affected districts. Since its launch in 2017, around ₹4,289.20 crore has been released to accelerate development in affected regions.

 

5. Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme

The Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme provides financial assistance for anti-LWE operations, training of security personnel, rehabilitation of surrendered cadres, and compensation to affected civilians and families of martyred security personnel. Since 2014–15, over ₹3,805.04 crore has been released under the scheme.

 

6. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

EMRS are residential schools established to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote tribal areas. In LWE-affected regions, 259 EMRS have been sanctioned and 179 schools have become functional, helping improve educational access and tribal development.

 

MCQ :

1. With reference to Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India, consider the following statements:

1. It originated from the Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal in 1967.
2. It was inspired by Maoist ideology and armed revolution.
3. The Communist Party of India (Maoist) was formed in 2014.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

2. Which one of the following correctly describes the Communist Party of India (Maoist)?

(a) It was established under the National Policy and Action Plan in 2015.
(b) It was formed by the merger of several extremist groups in 2004.
(c) It was created after the Naxalbari movement in 1967 by the Government of India.
(d) It functions as a specialised unit of the CRPF.

3. With reference to Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-related violence in India, consider the following statements:

1. The highest number of LWE incidents was recorded in 2010.
2. The year 2010 witnessed 1,936 incidents and 1,005 fatalities.
3. The year 2010 recorded fewer than 500 fatalities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

4. The National Policy and Action Plan to address Left-Wing Extremism was approved in:

(a) 2012
(b) 2014
(c) 2015
(d) 2017

5. The Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme primarily aims to:

(a) Procure weapons for security forces.
(b) Finance infrastructure and development projects in LWE-affected areas.
(c) Recruit personnel for CAPFs.
(d) Modernise India’s border fencing.

6. Under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), projects worth approximately ₹1,761 crore were sanctioned mainly for:

(a) Construction of National Highways.
(b) Building Smart Cities.
(c) Strengthening Special Forces, intelligence branches, district police and fortified police stations.
(d) Setting up new military cantonments.

7. With reference to the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It supports operational needs and training of security forces.
2. It provides assistance for rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadres.
3. It provides ex gratia assistance to families of martyred security personnel and civilians.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

8. Which one of the following is NOT a specialised force involved in anti-LWE operations?

(a) CoBRA
(b) Greyhounds
(c) District Reserve Guard (DRG)
(d) National Security Guard (NSG)

9. Counter-LWE operations increasingly utilise which of the following technologies?

1. Drones and UAVs
2. Satellite imagery
3. Artificial Intelligence-based analysis
4. Mobile-data analytics

Select the correct answer using the code below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

10. Under the surrender and rehabilitation policy for Left-Wing Extremists, higher-ranked surrendered cadres receive an immediate grant of:

(a) ₹2 lakh
(b) ₹2.5 lakh
(c) ₹5 lakh
(d) ₹10 lakh

11. Which one of the following correctly describes the rehabilitation package for surrendered LWE cadres?

(a) Monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for 24 months.
(b) Monthly stipend of ₹10,000 for 36 months.
(c) Monthly stipend of ₹15,000 for 24 months.
(d) One-time grant only without monthly assistance.

12. Between 2024 and March 2026, approximately how many Left-Wing Extremist cadres surrendered?

(a) 1,936
(b) 2,337
(c) 3,927
(d) 5,019

13. Under the Road Requirement Plan (RRP) and the Road Connectivity Project for LWE-Affected Areas (RCPLWEA), approximately how many kilometres of roads were constructed?

(a) 9,497 km
(b) 12,126 km
(c) 15,189 km
(d) 17,542 km

14. With reference to digital connectivity in former LWE-affected areas, consider the following statements:

1. A total of 9,497 mobile towers were commissioned.
2. Mobile connectivity reached about 96% of villages in the most affected regions.
3. Mobile connectivity covered 44,728 out of 46,592 villages.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

15. Which of the following correctly reflects the decline in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India?

(a) LWE-affected districts declined from 126 in 2014 to zero by March–April 2026.
(b) Incidents increased from 870 in 2014 to 1,936 in 2026.
(c) Fatalities increased from 310 in 2014 to 720 in 2026.
(d) LWE-affected districts increased after 2024.