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The gradual transformation of the Home Ministry
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Context
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is undergoing a transformation from a reactive crisis-management institution to a reform-driven body focusing on long-term internal security architecture through legislative, institutional, and technological reforms.
Shift from Reactive to Strategic Governance
- Crisis Ministry to Security Architecture Builder: Traditionally reactive in handling riots, insurgencies, and governance breakdowns, the MHA now focuses on institutional preparedness through legislative overhaul and structural reforms.
- Constitutional and Strategic Role: Empowered under Articles 355, 256, and 356, the MHA integrates security and governance, unlike other countries where these are separated, making it central to India’s federal security structure.
- Institutional Reorganisation and Mandate Expansion: Reallocation of departments (e.g., Disaster Management, Narcotics Control Bureau) and specialised force creation (e.g., CISF for industrial unrest) broadened MHA’s operational mandate.
Legislative and Operational Reforms
- From Event-Based Laws to Structured Jurisprudence: Earlier laws like TADA, POTA, and the NIA Act were event-driven, but post-2019 reforms (over 27 laws) including UAPA amendments and new criminal codes reflect systemic law-making.
- Multi-Agency Coordination and Technology Integration: Revamp of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), promotion of duty to share intelligence, and creation of centralised tech databases enhanced threat-prevention capabilities.
- Criminal Justice and Forensic Reform: Launch of NFSU, expansion of CCTNS across 17130 police stations and related institutions, and promotion of investigation-forensics separation reflect institutional justice system reform.
Budgetary Prioritisation and Ground-Level Impact
- Doubling of Budget Allocation: From 1 lakh crore in 2019 to 2.33 lakh crore in 2025, with CAPF expenditure rising from 38000 crore in 2013–14 to 97000 crore in 2024–25, showing internal security as a fiscal priority.
- Counter-Insurgency Outcomes: 70 percent decline in violence across Kashmir, North-East, and Naxal regions due to integrated political-security-development strategies and Article 370 dilution.
- Transition to Preemptive Governance: The MHA now leads in proactive threat mitigation through future-ready policy frameworks, rather than responding to emergencies post-facto.
Practice Question
Q. Discuss how the transformation of the Ministry of Home Affairs from a reactive crisis manager to a proactive institutional reformer strengthens India’s internal security and federal governance. Highlight the constitutional basis, legislative actions, and budgetary trends in your answer.
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