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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