Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India: Challenges, Strategies & Way Forward – UPSC Notes

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxalism is one of the greatest internal security threats faced by India since the Naxalbari uprising in 1967. Found on Maoist ideas, it transcended the so called Red Corridor in tribal and underdeveloped areas preying on poverty and alienation. By using violence as a means of fighting the cause of the marginalized communities, their actions undermined governance and development. India adopted one security-development strategy in recent years that has largely inhibited violence and the government aims to remove LWE by 2026.

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is relevant for UPSC GS-I (post-independence India, tribal issues), GS-II (governance, rights of vulnerable groups), GS-III (internal security, extremism-development linkages, role of security forces), Essay, and Interview—making it a crucial multidisciplinary topic.

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What is Left Wing Extremism (LWE)?

Left Wing Extremism (LWE), or Naxalism, is a Maoist-inspired armed insurgency that began with the 1967 Naxalbari uprising. It spread across the Red Corridor (tribal, forested, underdeveloped areas in central-eastern India). Claiming to represent tribals, farmers, marginalized groups, it uses violence, extortion, and disruption of governance, making it one of India’s gravest internal security and development challenges.

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Historical Background of LWE in India

• 1967 – Naxalbari Uprising:
• The movement began in Naxalbari village, West Bengal, led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal, advocating armed struggle against feudal landlords.
• 1970s–1980s – Expansion Phase:
• Spread to tribal and rural belts of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. Guerrilla tactics and militant mobilization became common.
• 1980s–1990s – Rise of Armed Groups:
• Formation of several militant outfits like the People’s War Group (PWG) in Andhra Pradesh and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) in Bihar.
• 2004 – Formation of CPI (Maoist):
• The merger of PWG and MCC created a single, stronger insurgent organization, intensifying Maoist activities across the “Red Corridor.”
• 2005–2010 – Peak Insurgency:
• Violence escalated, targeting both civilians and security forces.
  • 2010 marked the deadliest year with 1,936 incidents and 1,005 deaths.
• 2015 – Policy Shift:
• Launch of the National Policy and Action Plan (NPAP) for a holistic approach combining security, development, and rights-based governance.
• 2020s – Decline Phase:
• Steady reduction in affected districts due to coordinated security operations, road and telecom connectivity, and rehabilitation schemes.
• 2024–25 – Consolidation:
  • LWE presence shrinks from 126 districts (2010) → 38 districts (2024).
  • Core strongholds like Bastar (Chhattisgarh) and Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) face intensified security operations.
  • Violence levels fall by over 80% compared to 2010, marking the lowest phase in 30 years.

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Spread and Current Status of LWE (2025)

Left Wing Extremism (LWE), which had been in 20 states and 223 districts in the past, has now been substantially reduced to few core areas in central India. Union Home Ministry says that the movement is at a “lowest ever footprint.”

Affected Districts (Decline Over Time)

• 2010 – 126 districts
• 2018 – 90 districts
• 2021 – 70 districts
• 2024 – 38 districts (with 6 severely affected)
• 2025 – 33 districts (with only 4–5 severely affected, primarily in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas)

Most Affected Districts (2025)

• Chhattisgarh – Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur, Kanker (Bastar division remains the core stronghold)
• Jharkhand – West Singhbhum
• Maharashtra – Gadchiroli

Districts of Concern (2025 – requiring special monitoring)

• Andhra Pradesh – Alluri Sitarama Raju
• Madhya Pradesh – Balaghat
• Odisha – Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkangiri
• Telangana – Bhadradri Kothagudem

 By 2025, the government projects that the security and development push will reduce LWE to only a handful of border and forested districts, marking a significant containment of the insurgency.

Statistical Decline in LWE Violence

Key Insights 

1. Districts reduced from 126 (2010) → 33 (2025) → 74% reduction.
2. Deaths reduced from ~1,000 (2010) → <75 (2025) → over 90% decline.
3. Core Hotspots (2025):
   • Chhattisgarh (Sukma, Bijapur)
   • Jharkhand (West Singhbhum)
   • Maharashtra (Gadchiroli)
4. Peripheral Concern Districts: Alluri Sitarama Raju (AP), Balaghat (MP), Malkangiri (Odisha), Bhadradri Kothagudem (Telangana).
5. Major reason for decline → Combined strategy: SAMADHAN doctrine, development push, road connectivity, surrender policy, specialized forces (CRPF’s CoBRA units).

Government Strategy against LWE

The government has pursued a multi-pronged approach combining security, development, rights protection, and community outreach.

1. Security Measures

• National Policy & Action Plan (2015) – Established a zero-tolerance approach to LWE.
• Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme – Reimbursement of costs related to training, weapons, ex-gratia, and rehabilitation of surrendered cadres.
• Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) – Strengthening police intelligence, fortified police stations, and Special Forces.
• Fortified Police Stations – 612 fortified stations today (compared to 66 in 2014).
• Deployment of Security Forces – 280 new security camps, 6 CRPF battalions, and 15 Joint Task Forces established.
• Financial Crackdown – NIA and ED actions under PMLA to choke Naxalite funding.

Development-Oriented Measures

Addressing Left Wing Extremism (LWE) requires bridging the developmental deficit in affected regions. The government has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to integrate these districts into the national growth story.

1. Special Central Assistance (SCA)
   • Annual grants of ₹30 crore for severely affected districts and ₹10 crore for other districts.
   • Funds are used to fill critical gaps in infrastructure and livelihood projects, such as healthcare centres, schools, drinking water, and irrigation.
2. Road Connectivity Projects
   • Road Requirement Plan–I (RRP-I) and Road Connectivity Project for LWE Areas (RCPLWE) launched to ensure all-weather connectivity.
   • Out of 17,589 km sanctioned roads, nearly 14,618 km have been completed, connecting remote tribal belts with markets, schools, and health services.
3. Telecom Connectivity
   • 10,505 mobile towers sanctioned in LWE regions; 7,768 already operational.
   • The government targets 100% 4G coverage by December 2025, reducing digital isolation and improving governance outreach.
4. Financial Inclusion
   • Expanded banking services with 1,007 new bank branches, 937 ATMs, and 5,731 post offices.
   • Promotes direct benefit transfers (DBTs), reduces cash dependence, and empowers tribal communities economically.
5. Skill Development & Employment
   • Establishment of 48 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 61 Skill Development Centres (SDCs) in affected states.
   • Recruitment of local tribal youth into security forces (CAPFs and State Police) both provides livelihood and strengthens trust with communities.
6. Education Initiatives
   • 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) set up in tribal-majority areas.
   • Focus on quality education, cultural preservation, and reducing dropout rates, ensuring the next generation has alternatives to extremism.

Civic and Community Initiatives

In addition to security operations, the government has focused on community outreach and inclusive progress as ways to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

• Civic Action Programme (CAP)
  • Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) undertake health camps, sports events, vocational training, and educational support in remote tribal areas.
  • Builds trust between security forces and locals, reducing alienation and Maoist influence.
• Media Outreach and Counter-Propaganda
  • A dedicated Media Plan disseminates accurate information and counters Maoist narratives.
  • Includes documentaries, pamphlets, wall writings, street plays, and community radio broadcasts to promote awareness and confidence in state institutions.
• Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)
  • Covers 35 LWE-affected districts, focusing on health, nutrition, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
  • Data-driven governance and targeted interventions ensure faster development and reduce the grievances that fuel extremism.
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (2024)
  • Flagship initiative launched from Jharkhand to saturate basic amenities like roads, drinking water, electricity, healthcare, and schools.
  • Aims to transform 15,000 tribal villages, directly benefiting nearly 1.5 crore people, thereby undercutting Maoist recruitment.

Success Stories

India’s multi-pronged counter-LWE strategy has produced several remarkable achievements in the last decade:

1. Mass Surrenders
2. Over 8,000 Naxalites abandoned the path of violence in the past ten years, reflecting the success of rehabilitation policies and development outreach.
3. Territorial Gains
4. The geographical spread of LWE has drastically shrunk — from 18,000 sq. km in 2014 to just 4,200 sq. km in 2024, freeing vast areas for governance and development.
5. Neutralisation of Top Leadership
   • Security forces have eliminated 15 senior Maoist leaders, dismantling the organisational backbone.
   • Previously impregnable strongholds such as Buddha Pahad (Jharkhand) and Chakarbandha (Bihar) have been completely liberated.
6. Operational Milestones
   • March 2025: 50 Naxals surrendered in Bijapur; 16 neutralised in Sukma during a high-intensity operation.
   • 2024: 290 Maoists neutralised, 1,090 arrested, and 881 surrendered.
   • December 2023: 380 killed, 1,194 arrested, and 1,045 surrendered — one of the most successful years in anti-Naxal operations.
7. Casualty Reduction
   • Civilian and security force deaths have fallen drastically.
   • For the first time in 30 years, casualties dropped below 100 in 2022, marking a turning point in the insurgency.

Challenges Ahead

Despite significant decline in Left Wing Extremism, some persistent challenges remain that require sustained policy focus:

1. Strongholds in Core Areas
   • Regions such as Bastar in Chhattisgarh continue to remain highly volatile.
   • Dense forests, difficult terrain, and poor infrastructure provide natural cover for insurgents, making counter-operations difficult.
2. Guerrilla Warfare by CPI (Maoist)
   • Maoists continue to rely on hit-and-run tactics, IED attacks, and ambushes against security forces.
   • Their ability to quickly disperse and regroup complicates long-term area domination.
3. Development Deficit and Leakages
   • Although infrastructure projects have expanded, many tribal populations still face gaps in education, healthcare, and financial inclusion.
   • Corruption and inefficiency at local levels often prevent the intended benefits of government schemes from reaching the grassroots.
4. Human Rights Concerns
   • Intensive security operations sometimes lead to civilian hardships, displacement, and accidental casualties.
   • If not addressed sensitively, these can fuel mistrust between local communities and state authorities, indirectly aiding Maoist propaganda.

Conclusion

India has changed the game of combating Left Wing Extremism through its multi dimensional approach. The goal of a Naxal-free India by 2026 seems plausible with violence reduced by more than 80 %, control of territory, being almost regained, and thousands of insurgents have surrendered. It is not all about military action because it should succeed in closing the developmental gap, empowering the tribal communities, and having the last-mile delivery of governance. There is no turning back and with constant political determination and people involvement, the movement that has threatened the seeds of democracy in India is in an irreversible downhill.

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