What happened: MHA unveiled ‘PRAHAAR’ as India’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) unveiled ‘PRAHAAR’ as India’s first comprehensive National Counter Terrorism Policy & Strategy on 23 February 2026. The policy aims to provide a national counter-terrorism framework for prevention of, and responding to, terrorist activities and radicalization through coordinated “whole of government” and “whole of society” approaches.

Core pillars and the seven-pillar strategy (what the policy claims to cover)

‘PRAHAAR’ is described as being built on multiple pillars and delivered through a seven-pillar strategy that is “intelligence-led” and proactive. The policy positions the national response around prevention, proportionate responses, internal capacity synergy, rule of law and human rights, reducing conditions conducive to terrorism (including radicalization), alignment with international counter-terror efforts, and recovery and resilience through whole-of-society participation.

The policy’s stated pillars include:

Prevention of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and interests.Responses that are swift and proportionate to the threat posed.Aggregating internal capacities to achieve synergy in a whole-of-government approach.Human rights and “Rule of Law” based processes for mitigation of threats.Attenuating conditions conducive to terrorism, including radicalization.Aligning and shaping international efforts to counter terrorism.Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.

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