In your answer, it is not necessary to include all points mentioned here. Students are advised to select and organize relevant content based on the provided editorial and the allocated word limit.

Answer Length Guide:

150 words – 10 marker
200–225 words – 15 marker
300 words – 20 marker
350 words – 25 marker
Essay-type answers – 1000 to 1200 words

Past Questions (UPSC Mains)

GS Paper II – International Relations – 2020: “Evaluate the impact of India’s strategic partnerships on its foreign policy.” This editorial discusses India’s assertive stance against Pakistan.
GS Paper III – Security – 2019: “Analyze the challenges in countering cross-border terrorism in India.” This editorial critiques Operation Sindoor’s effectiveness.

Probable UPSC Mains Questions

GS Paper II – International Relations – Q1: “How does India’s military response to cross-border terrorism impact its global standing?”
GS Paper III – Security – Q2: “Evaluate the effectiveness of Operation Sindoor in addressing Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.”

Introduction (Sets the context with a striking fact and three sentences to outline the issue, highlight developments, and state significance, ensuring clarity and relevance for high marks.)
On April 22, 2025, the Pahalgam attack killed 26 civilians, prompting India’s Operation Sindoor, targeting Pakistan-based terror camps. The parliamentary debate revealed consensus on praising the armed forces but sharp divisions over strategy and accountability. The government’s assertive approach lacks evidence of deterring Pakistan. A balanced, transparent security policy is vital for India’s global credibility.

Keywords / Important Terms (Using technical terms catches the evaluator’s eye, demonstrating precise knowledge and alignment with UPSC’s analytical expectations for top scores.)

Operation Sindoor: India’s military strikes on Pakistan’s terror infrastructure.
Cross-Border Terrorism: Pakistan-backed attacks, like Pahalgam, targeting India.
Strategic Deterrence: India’s use of force to change Pakistan’s behavior.
Diplomatic Outreach: All-party delegations to gain global support.
National Security: Measures to counter terrorism and ensure stability.
Political Accountability: Transparency in addressing security lapses.
Strategic Autonomy: India’s right to independent security decisions.

Flowchart (Visualizes complex dynamics, enhancing conceptual clarity, which impresses evaluators by showing structured thinking.)

Purpose: To map Operation Sindoor’s implications.
Triggers: Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, parliamentary debate.
Linkages: Military action → diplomatic tensions; debate → accountability gaps.
Outcomes: Strained India-Pakistan ties, need for strategic clarity.

Core Issues / Root Causes (Identifying systemic issues with examples demonstrates depth, critical for scoring high by showcasing analytical rigor.)

Security Lapses: Failure to prevent the Pahalgam attack reflects intelligence gaps.
Unproven Deterrence: No evidence Operation Sindoor altered Pakistan’s terror sponsorship.
Partisan Discourse: BJP’s blame on opposition stifles constructive debate, as seen in Lok Sabha.
Ceasefire Controversy: Contradictory claims on U.S. mediation undermine India’s stance.

Impact Analysis (Multi-dimensional analysis with examples shows comprehensive understanding, boosting marks by addressing diverse aspects.)

Security: Operation Sindoor hit nine terror sites but risks escalation.
Diplomatic: Global support for India’s anti-terror stance is limited, with only three countries opposing Pakistan.
Political: Partisan debates weaken national unity on security issues.
Social: Pahalgam’s targeting of Hindus fuels communal tensions.
Ethical: Evading accountability erodes public trust in governance.

Government Schemes / Policy Interventions (Linking specific schemes to issues shows policy awareness, earning marks for practical relevance.)

National Security Strategy: Needs clearer focus on counter-terrorism intelligence.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Boosts defense production, supporting operations like Sindoor.
Smart Diplomacy: All-party delegations, as post-Sindoor, must continue for global support.

Way Forward / Solutions (Feasible, structured solutions reflect forward-thinking, impressing evaluators with actionable insights.)

Strengthen Intelligence: Enhance coordination via NATGRID to prevent attacks like Pahalgam.
Transparent Diplomacy: Clarify ceasefire terms to counter U.S. mediation claims, like EU’s approach.
Bipartisan Consensus: Foster all-party security dialogues, as post-Sindoor meetings.
Counter-Terror Doctrine: Define clear thresholds for military action, learning from Israel’s model.
Global Advocacy: Expand diplomatic outreach to isolate Pakistan, as Jaishankar attempted.

Ethical Dimensions (Highlighting ethical aspects aligns with GS Paper IV, enhancing marks by showing ethical sensitivity.)

Accountability: Transparent probes into security lapses uphold governance ethics.
Statesmanship: Avoiding partisan blame fosters national unity in crises.

Conclusion (Summarizes key elements, offers a positive opinion, and reiterates the introduction’s sentiment with a visionary tone, leaving a mature, impactful impression for higher scores.)
Operation Sindoor reflects India’s resolve against terrorism but lacks proven deterrence. Bipartisan unity and transparent policies will strengthen security. India’s strategic clarity can redefine its global anti-terror leadership.

Editorials