Naxalism is a serious challenge in India, often called one of the country’s biggest internal security threats. But what exactly is Naxalism? It’s a movement led by groups, mainly the Communist Party of India (Maoist), who believe in using violence to overthrow the government and create a society based on Maoist ideas—think extreme communism inspired by China’s Mao Zedong. It started in 1967 in a village called Naxalbari in West Bengal when poor farmers revolted against landlords. Since then, it has spread to rural and tribal areas, especially in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar, where poverty and inequality fuel frustration.
So, how does the Indian government deal with this? Over the years, it has come up with a mix of strategies—some involve fighting the Naxals directly, while others focus on fixing the root causes like poverty and lack of development. Let’s break it down into simple steps the government has taken.
Step 1: Strengthening Security Forces
The government has sent in heavy security to tackle Naxals head-on. Think of this as the “law and order” approach. Special forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police teams are deployed in Naxal-affected areas. They carry out operations with names like “Operation Green Hunt” (started in 2010) and “Operation Prahaar” to catch or stop Naxal leaders and fighters. The idea is to weaken their ability to attack by targeting their hideouts and weapons.
There’s also a special unit called CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), trained for jungle warfare, because Naxals often hide in thick forests. The government has even used drones and helicopters to track them down. This hard-hitting approach has reduced the number of Naxal-affected districts from over 200 in 2010 to around 90 by recent years.
Step 2: Development as a Weapon
Fighting alone isn’t enough. The government knows that Naxals gain support from poor, neglected communities—especially tribals who feel left out. So, it’s trying to win them over with development. Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) build roads in remote villages, making it easier for people to connect with the outside world. Roads also help security forces move faster, cutting off Naxal hideouts.
Then there’s the Aspirational Districts Programme, which targets underdeveloped areas with better schools, hospitals, and jobs. The goal? Give people a reason to trust the government instead of joining Naxals. For example, in places like Chhattisgarh, new mobile towers and solar lights are popping up to improve life and reduce the “us vs. them” feeling Naxals thrive on.
Step 3: Encouraging Surrender and Rehabilitation
Not every Naxal wants to fight forever. The government offers them a way out through surrender policies. If a Naxal gives up their weapons, they can get money, a job, or training to start a new life. States like Jharkhand and Maharashtra have schemes like this, and they’ve worked—thousands have left the movement. Project Salam in Maharashtra, for instance, focuses on talking to ex-Naxals and helping them fit back into society.
Step 4: Cutting Off Money and Weapons
Naxals need cash and guns to keep going. The government is cracking down on this by using laws like the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to stop their funding. They’ve also improved intelligence—spies and informers—to track where Naxals get their weapons, often stolen from police or smuggled illegally. By choking their resources, the government makes it harder for them to operate.
Step 5: A Big Plan Called SAMADHAN
In 2017, the government launched a strategy called SAMADHAN, which stands for a bunch of ideas like Smart leadership, Aggressive action, Motivation for forces, Actionable intelligence, and No access to financing. It’s a fancy way of saying they’re combining strong police work with smart planning. For example, they use data to predict Naxal moves and train forces better to handle ambushes.
Step 6: Working Together
Naxalism isn’t just one state’s problem—it crosses borders like Chhattisgarh to Odisha. So, the central government teams up with state governments, sharing money, forces, and ideas. This teamwork, called “cooperative federalism,” has helped shrink the “Red Corridor”—the Naxal hotspot—over time.
Does It Work?
The results are mixed but promising. Violence has dropped, and fewer people are dying in Naxal attacks compared to the 2000s. Top Naxal leaders have been caught or killed, and many areas once under their control are freer now. But the problem isn’t gone. Poverty and anger still push some to join Naxals, and dense forests make it tough to wipe them out completely.
Why Does This Matter?
Naxalism tests India’s ability to keep its people safe and united. It’s not just about fighting—it’s about fixing deep issues like inequality and neglect. For students preparing for exams like UPSC or State PCS, this topic is gold. It pops up in papers on internal security, governance, and social issues. Understanding it shows you get how India balances force with fairness—a big deal for future administrators and policymakers.
In short, the government is hitting Naxalism from all sides: guns, roads, jobs, and talks. It’s a slow fight, but the steps are making a dent.
Importance for UPSC & State PCS Exams
Why It’s Important: Naxalism is a key topic in the UPSC and State PCS syllabi, especially under Internal Security (GS Paper III) and Social Issues (GS Paper I). It’s a real-world example of how India handles insurgency, governance gaps, and socio-economic challenges—core themes for these exams. Questions often ask about causes, government responses, or its impact on development, testing your analytical skills and awareness of national issues.
How It’s Relevant: Aspiring civil servants need to understand Naxalism to design policies that ensure safety and uplift marginalized groups. Exams may ask you to suggest solutions or evaluate current strategies, so knowing these steps helps you write balanced, practical answers. Plus, it’s a chance to shine in interviews by showing you grasp a complex, ongoing issue shaping India’s future.
