- Why in news
- On 4 July 2026 the Ministry of Home Affairs designated 23 more individuals as 'terrorists' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, listing them in its Fourth Schedule.
- What it is
- The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) is India's main law against unlawful associations and terrorism. Since the 2019 amendment, the Central Government can designate individuals, not only organisations, as terrorists. Such individuals are listed in the Fourth Schedule.
- Power to designate individuals
- Since the 2019 amendment, Section 35 lets the Centre notify an individual as a terrorist and list the person in the Fourth Schedule.
- Who designates
- The Central Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, makes the designation.
- This batch
- Of the 23 individuals, 17 are Pakistani nationals and 6 are Indian nationals, all operating from Pakistan and PoK.
- Stated effect
- Designation is meant to curb the individuals' finances, movement and recruitment, and to help agencies act together at national and international levels.
Don’t confuse with Banning an organisation vs designating an individual: Organisations are declared terrorist organisations and listed in the First Schedule. Individuals are designated under Section 35 and listed in the Fourth Schedule.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Designation targets the financial networks, movement and recruitment of cross-border terror operatives.
- It helps agencies coordinate legal action at national and international levels.
Problems
- Designation is an executive act, so critics raise concerns about due process and misuse.
- The designated persons are based in Pakistan and PoK, so enforcement is hard in practice.
Way forward
- Keep review and de-listing safeguards effective and transparent.
- Pair designations with action on terror financing and international cooperation.
- 2019Mains GS3 · Q19Analyse UAPA and NIA amendments; why human rights groups oppose UAPA
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q9Manifestations of terrorism in India and State's counter-measures
- 2015Mains GS3 · Q17Critically evaluate AFSPA opposition by activists and Apex Court view
- 2023Prelims Q77Anti-terror law and preventive detention statements: which are correct?
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: UAPA is a lasting law topic, but this release is a routine designation list with few testable facts. Laws and judgments gave 35 Mains questions, though not for routine listings.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.