- Why in news
- On 22 August 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security of the Siliguri Corridor with central and West Bengal officials, including the Chief Minister. He directed agencies to finish pending infrastructure and stop illegal immigration.
- What it is
- The Siliguri Corridor, called the Chicken's Neck, is a narrow strip of land in northern West Bengal. It links the north-eastern states with the rest of India. It lies between Nepal and Bangladesh, close to Bhutan and China's Chumbi Valley, which makes it strategically sensitive.
- Review meeting
- The review included MHA, MoRTH, Army, BSF, SSB and RPF, with West Bengal's Chief Secretary and DGP. The state CM also attended.
- MAC's focus group
- The Multi Agency Centre's Standing Focus Group on Siliguri Corridor presented progress and recommendations.
- Quadrangular approach
- Shah asked all agencies to implement the quadrangular approach to border security fully.
- Location
- The corridor is in West Bengal near Siliguri. It is about 20-22 km wide at its narrowest and borders Nepal and Bangladesh.
- Neighbours
- Bhutan lies to the north-east of the corridor, and Sikkim to the north. The Chumbi Valley of Tibet (China) is nearby.
Don’t confuse with Siliguri Corridor vs Wakhan Corridor: The Siliguri Corridor is an Indian land link in West Bengal. The Wakhan Corridor is a strip of Afghanistan reaching China.
Places in the news: 26 Prelims questions since 2013, rising (12% of news questions in 2022–26); they test location and why it matters.
Why it matters
- The corridor is the only land link joining the north-eastern states to the rest of India, so its security affects national integration and defence logistics.
- It sits near Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China, so border and infrastructure security there has strategic value.
Problems
- The narrow width and dense population make vital installations and transport links vulnerable.
- Illegal immigration, encroachment and demographic change complicate border management.
Way forward
- Complete pending infrastructure on time and coordinate central and state agencies through the multi-agency mechanism.
- Strengthen local institutions such as Civil Defence, Home Guards and schools, and build alternative connectivity.
Put in your answer
Multi-agency coordination: The meeting brought together Centre, state and armed or border forces, and the MAC's focus group reported recommendations. This is an example of coordinated border management.
Local capacity: Shah urged the state to strengthen Civil Defence and Home Guards in the corridor, showing the role of state-level support in security.
- 2013Mains GS3 · Q25How internal security challenges link with border management and porous borders.
- 2019Mains GS3 · Q20Examine security challenges across India-Myanmar border in North-East and counter steps.
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q19Examine conflicting issues and security challenges on China and Pakistan borders; BADP and BIM.
- 2008Prelims Q139Which Union Ministry houses the Department of Border Management.
- 2023Prelims Q91Statements on Home Guards, including Border Wing battalions preventing infiltration on international borders.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Siliguri Corridor is a lasting security and geography topic. Place questions are 8% of Prelims, but this release is a review meeting with no new decision.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.