PolityGS2+ GS3

MHA Designates Pakistan-Based Network as Terrorist Organisation Under UAPA

Indian Express·2026-09-17· Read original

"MHA Designates Pakistan-Based Network as Terrorist Organisation Under UAPA"

Prelims Facts

  • •Section 35 of UAPA empowers the Central Government to add organisations to the First Schedule, designating them as terrorist organisations.
  • •Section 36 of UAPA allows a listed organisation to seek de-listing; applications are reviewed by a committee headed by a sitting or retired High Court judge.
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Key Terms

UAPA First Schedule

the list of proscribed terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Section 35 UAPA

provision empowering the Central Government to declare an organisation a terrorist organisation.

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Study Note

BackgroundCore Concept

Background

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), originally enacted in 1967, is India's primary legislation for dealing with unlawful activities, terrorist acts, and terrorist organisations. It has been amended significantly, most notably in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019. The 2019 amendment was particularly significant: it empowered the government to designate individuals as terrorists, in addition to organisations, without requiring a court conviction first. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry for administering UAPA, including the power to proscribe organisations.

The UAPA operates alongside other counter-terror statutes and enforcement frameworks. While MHA handles organisational proscription and internal security, financial enforcement agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which operates under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, handle terror financing through the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This division of institutional labour is important: MHA designates the entity, while financial agencies freeze assets and pursue money-laundering charges. India's counter-terror architecture thus involves multiple agencies with distinct statutory mandates working in coordination.

India's approach to proscribing terror organisations is also linked to international frameworks. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), established in 1989 by the G7 Summit in Paris, sets global standards for combating terrorist financing. India became a full FATF member in 2010. Domestic designations under UAPA complement FATF obligations by enabling enhanced financial scrutiny of listed entities and their networks.

The Topic Explained

Section 35 of the UAPA empowers the Central Government to add an organisation to the First Schedule of the Act, thereby declaring it a terrorist organisation. The procedure requires the government to be satisfied that the organisation is involved in terrorism, has committed or participated in terrorist acts, or is otherwise concerned with terrorism. Once listed, membership of the organisation, support for it, and financing of its activities all become cognisable offences attracting enhanced penalties.

The First Schedule of UAPA currently lists dozens of organisations, including groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and various insurgent outfits operating in the Northeast. Listing in the First Schedule enables agencies to pursue charges including terror financing, conspiracy, and membership, charges that carry heavier sentences than ordinary criminal offences. …

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Related PYQs

2025GS1 Prelims

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information:

Organization | Some of its functions | It works under

I.Directorate of Enforcement : Enforcement of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 : Internal Security Division-I, Ministry of Home Affairs

II.Directorate of Revenue Intelligence : Enforces the Provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 : Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

III.Directorate General of Systems and Data Management : Carrying out big data analytics to assist tax officers for better policy and nabbing tax evaders : Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?

AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll the three
DNone
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Practice MCQs

Politymedium

With reference to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), consider the following statements:

1.Section 35 empowers the Central Government to add an organisation to the First Schedule, declaring it a terrorist organisation.

2.Section 36 provides for de-listing, with applications reviewed by a committee headed by a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge.

3.The 2019 amendment to UAPA introduced the power to designate individuals as terrorists, inserting their names in the Fourth Schedule.

How many of the above statements are correct?

AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll three
DNone
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Politymedium

Consider the following pairs relating to enforcement agencies of the Government of India and their parent ministries:

1.Directorate of Enforcement (ED) — Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

2.National Investigation Agency (NIA) — Ministry of Home Affairs

3.Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) — Ministry of Home Affairs

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll three
DNone
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Politymedium

With reference to India's counter-terrorism legal framework, consider the following statements:

1.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) can investigate UAPA offences across all states without requiring state government consent.

2.Terror financing cases are prosecuted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate, which works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

3.India became a full member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2010.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 and 3 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
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Polityhard

Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which of the following is/are correct regarding the designation of terrorist organisations?

1.The Central Government may add an organisation to the First Schedule under Section 35 without prior judicial approval.

2.An organisation listed in the First Schedule may apply for de-listing, and the Review Committee's recommendation is binding on the government.

3.Membership of a proscribed organisation is itself a cognisable offence under UAPA.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A1 and 3 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 only
D1, 2 and 3
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