Internal Security and Cyber Security MCQs for UPSC Prelims

This Internal Security and Cyber Security MCQ practice paper for UPSC Prelims has 15 carefully selected questions on the central armed police forces, security agencies, border management, extremism, cyber crime laws and the disaster management framework. Each answer comes with a simple explanation, so you can strengthen your concepts while you practise.

Why Internal Security and Cyber Security Matters

Internal security is a key part of GS III, and in the Prelims it appears as factual questions on forces, agencies, laws and operations. The topic is rich in current affairs, because there are always news items on border issues, cyber attacks and disasters. Learning the structure of the forces and the main laws gives you easy marks and helps in the Mains.

Instructions

• Total questions: 15. Suggested time: 15 minutes.
• Each correct answer gives 2 marks and each wrong answer deducts 0.66 marks, as in the real Prelims.
• Attempt the questions first and check the answer key only after you finish.

Practice Questions

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) under the Ministry of Home Affairs?
(a) CRPF
(b) BSF
(c) Indian Coast Guard
(d) ITBP

Q2. Which force guards the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders?
(a) ITBP
(b) BSF
(c) SSB
(d) Assam Rifles

Q3. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) guards the border with:
(a) Nepal
(b) China
(c) Myanmar
(d) Bhutan

Q4. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is mainly responsible for:
(a) Border security
(b) Security of airports, metro, industrial units and critical installations
(c) Fighting insurgents in the north-east
(d) Coastal patrolling

Q5. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was set up after the attacks of:
(a) 1993 Mumbai
(b) 2008 Mumbai
(c) 2001 Parliament
(d) 2016 Pathankot

Q6. The National Security Guard (NSG) is known as:
(a) Black Cats
(b) Garuds
(c) Cobras
(d) Greyhounds

Q7. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) deals with:
(a) Cyber crime
(b) Unlawful associations and terrorist activities
(c) Land acquisition
(d) Environment protection

Q8. The Information Technology Act of India was enacted in:
(a) 1996
(b) 2000
(c) 2008
(d) 2013

Q9. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) works under the:
(a) Ministry of Defence
(b) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(c) Ministry of Home Affairs
(d) Ministry of External Affairs

Q10. Phishing is a type of cyber attack in which:
(a) Data is encrypted for money
(b) Attackers trick users into giving sensitive information by fake messages or websites
(c) A computer is physically stolen
(d) The network is blocked by too many requests

Q11. A 'ransomware' attack is one in which:
(a) The data is locked and a payment is demanded to unlock it
(b) The user's password is changed
(c) The website is copied
(d) The hardware is damaged

Q12. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is chaired by the:
(a) Home Minister
(b) Prime Minister
(c) President
(d) Cabinet Secretary

Q13. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction covers the period:
(a) 2005 to 2015
(b) 2015 to 2030
(c) 2020 to 2040
(d) 2000 to 2010

Q14. Left Wing Extremism in India is also known as:
(a) Separatism
(b) Naxalism
(c) Communalism
(d) Regionalism

Q15. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the boundary between India and:
(a) Pakistan
(b) China
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Myanmar

Answer Key with Explanations

1. Q1: (c) The Indian Coast Guard is under the Ministry of Defence. The CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, SSB and the Assam Rifles are under the Ministry of Home Affairs (the Assam Rifles are under the MHA but led by the Army).
2. Q2: (b) The Border Security Force (BSF) guards the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
3. Q3: (b) The ITBP guards the India-China border, and the SSB guards the borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
4. Q4: (b) The CISF protects airports, the Delhi Metro, atomic and space installations and government buildings.
5. Q5: (b) The NIA was created in 2009 under the NIA Act, after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008.
6. Q6: (a) The NSG, formed in 1984 after Operation Blue Star, is known as the Black Cats, and is a counter-terrorism force.
7. Q7: (b) UAPA, 1967, deals with the prevention of unlawful activities and terrorism, and was amended several times.
8. Q8: (b) The Information Technology Act, 2000 provides the legal framework for e-commerce, digital signatures and cyber crime.
9. Q9: (b) CERT-In is the national agency for responding to the computer security incidents, and works under MeitY.
10. Q10: (b) In phishing, fake emails, messages or websites are used to steal passwords, bank details and other sensitive data.
11. Q11: (a) Ransomware encrypts the victim's data and demands a ransom for the decryption key.
12. Q12: (b) The NDMA, set up under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, is headed by the Prime Minister.
13. Q13: (b) The Sendai Framework (2015 to 2030) is the global plan for reducing the disaster risk and losses.
14. Q14: (b) Naxalism began in 1967 in Naxalbari, West Bengal. The affected area is often called the 'Red Corridor'.
15. Q15: (b) The LAC is the effective border between India and China, while the Line of Control (LoC) is between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Concepts to Revise After This Test

Quick Fact Sheet

• The IB is the internal intelligence agency and works under the Home Ministry, while RAW is the external intelligence agency.
• The NDRF was formed under the DM Act 2005, and has its battalions across the country.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act was passed in 2023.
• The Coast Guard was formed in 1978 and is under the Ministry of Defence.
• The SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) guards the Nepal and Bhutan borders.
• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act applies in the areas declared as disturbed.
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) works under the Home Ministry.

How to Prepare Internal Security and Cyber Security for the Prelims

For internal security, make a master table of the forces, the ministry, the border or role and the year of formation. Read the newspaper for the news on terrorism, border issues, cyber incidents and disasters. Learn the main laws with the year and the purpose. For the Mains, prepare answers on the challenges and the way forward, with data and examples. You can also read our free Internal Security and Disaster Management notes for simple revision, and use our other practice papers on the site for mixed practice.

Tricks for Solving Internal Security and Cyber Security Questions

• Know the parent ministry. MHA for the CAPFs, Defence for the Coast Guard and the Army.
• Link the force with the border. BSF with Pakistan and Bangladesh, ITBP with China, SSB with Nepal and Bhutan.
• Learn the full forms. Questions often use the full names of the agencies and the acts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the borders guarded by the BSF, ITBP and SSB.
• Mixing up the roles of the IB and RAW.
• Not knowing the ministry for each force.
• Ignoring the cyber laws and the disaster management framework.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many questions come from Internal Security in the UPSC Prelims?

Usually 1 or 2 questions, but the topic is very important for GS III in the Mains.

Which ministry controls the CAPFs?

The Ministry of Home Affairs controls the CAPFs such as the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.

What is the difference between the LoC and the LAC?

The LoC is between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, while the LAC is between India and China.

What is CERT-In?

It is the national agency for cyber security incidents, working under MeitY.

What is the role of the NDMA?

It makes the policies and guidelines for disaster management, and is headed by the Prime Minister.

How should I prepare this topic?

Make tables of forces and laws, follow the news on security issues, and practise Mains answers with a way forward.

Is it useful for the Mains?

Yes. It is an important part of GS III and gives content for the Essay.