Prahaar: India’s Counter-Terror Master Plan, Here's Everything in 7 Steps

India has officially entered a new era of counter-terrorism.

Released by the Ministry of Home Affairs on February 23, 2026, Prahaar is India's first-ever comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy.

Built on a “zero tolerance” approach to extremism, the policy sets out a structured, seven-pillar framework to combat terror through proactive intelligence, advanced technology, legal processes, and a whole-of-society effort. 

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what Prahaar is, what it covers, and why it matters.

What is Prahaar?

Prahaar is India's first unified national counter-terrorism policy, released by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It serves as an overarching strategy that coordinates efforts across government agencies, intelligence bodies, security forces, and civil society to address terrorism in a structured manner.

Why was such a policy needed?

India has faced decades of terror threats across multiple regions and through varied channels, including insurgency, cross-border terrorism, and increasingly, cyber-based threats. According to officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs, a unified framework was needed to streamline and strengthen the country's response architecture, replacing an ad hoc approach with a coherent, long-term strategy.

What does “zero tolerance” mean in this context?

The zero-tolerance principle underpinning Prahaar means that no act of terrorism, regardless of its scale, ideology, or geography, will be treated as acceptable or beyond the reach of law. It sets the tone for every pillar of the policy.

What is the first pillar -- Prevention?

The Prevention pillar focuses on intelligence-led, proactive measures to identify and neutralize threats before they materialize. Rather than reacting to attacks after they occur, the emphasis is on detecting and dismantling plots at the earliest stage possible.

How does the Response pillar work?

The Response framework outlines rapid, swift, and proportionate action by local police, state forces, and central specialised agencies when a terror incident does occur. The idea is to minimise damage by ensuring every level of law enforcement knows its role and can act without delay.

What does “Aggregating Capacities” mean?

This pillar focuses on modernising security and intelligence agencies and building synergy between them. Reportedly, the policy identifies coordination gaps between central and state bodies as a key vulnerability and aims to bridge those through institutional reforms and shared operational frameworks.

How does Prahaar handle human rights?

Prahaar explicitly commits to conducting operations, investigations, and legal proceedings within the constitutional framework. It references existing laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, ensuring that counter-terror measures do not bypass due process.

What does the policy do about radicalisation?

Under this pillar focused on attenuating conditions conducive to terrorism, Prahaar outlines active efforts to disrupt recruitment pipelines, run de-radicalization programmes in prisons, and tackle root causes such as extremist financing and ideology. The policy specifically targets the social and economic conditions that terror networks exploit.

How does India plan to involve the international community?

The sixth pillar focuses on aligning India's efforts with global counter-terrorism frameworks. This includes strengthening extradition treaties, entering into Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs), and conducting joint operations with partner nations to curb cross-border threats.

What is the “Whole-of-Society” approach?

The final pillar emphasises recovery and resilience, calling on citizens, NGOs, and community leaders to actively participate in counter-terror efforts. The aim is to build societal unity and community-level awareness so that threats can be identified and reported at the grassroots level.

Does Prahaar address modern threats like drones and cyberattacks?

Yes. The policy specifically addresses complex modern threats, including drone attacks, cyber-terrorism, and the misuse of emerging technology. It covers threats across air, land, and sea, reflecting an awareness that the nature of terrorism has evolved significantly in recent years.

Prahaar represents a significant step in India's approach to internal security - moving from isolated, reactive measures to a coordinated, proactive, and legally grounded national strategy anchored in both constitutional values and global best practices.

(With inputs from yMedia)