2 minEconomic Concept
Economic Concept

Terrorism Financing

Terrorism Financing क्या है?

Terrorism Financing refers to the methods and activities used by terrorist organizations and individuals to raise, move, and use funds to support their operations, activities, and personnel. These funds can originate from both legal and illegal sources, making detection challenging.

ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि

While terrorism has existed for centuries, the systematic study and combat of terrorism financing gained significant international attention after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. This led to enhanced global efforts to track and disrupt financial flows to terror groups, recognizing finance as the 'lifeline' of terrorism.

मुख्य प्रावधान

8 points
  • 1.

    Sources of Funds: Can include legitimate businesses, charities, donations, as well as illicit activities like ransom, extortion, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, counterfeit currency, and illicit trade.

  • 2.

    Methods of Transfer: Funds are transferred through formal financial systems (banks, wire transfers), informal value transfer systems (hawala), cash couriers, and increasingly, through new technologies like cryptocurrencies, online crowdfunding, and prepaid cards.

  • 3.

    International Cooperation: Requires robust international cooperation to trace cross-border financial flows, share intelligence, and freeze assets. Organizations like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) play a crucial role in setting global standards.

  • 4.

    Legal Framework in India: Key laws include the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 (which criminalizes terror financing and provides for asset seizure), and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 (to prevent the legitimization of illicit funds and attach properties).

  • 5.

    Asset Freezing: Provisions exist under UAPA and PMLA to freeze, seize, and forfeit assets of individuals and entities involved in terror financing, disrupting their operational capacity.

  • 6.

    Challenges: Identifying legitimate vs. illegitimate funds, adapting to rapidly evolving financial technologies, and dealing with funds from leaders operating abroad or in safe havens are significant challenges.

  • 7.

    Impact: Disrupting terror financing is considered a critical component of counter-terrorism, as it cripples the operational capabilities, recruitment, and propaganda efforts of terror groups.

  • 8.

    Reporting Mechanisms: Financial institutions are mandated to report suspicious transactions to agencies like the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND).

दृश्य सामग्री

Terrorism Financing: Sources, Methods & Countermeasures (2025)

This mind map illustrates the complex ecosystem of terrorism financing, detailing the diverse sources of funds, the various methods used for transfer, and the comprehensive legal and international countermeasures employed to disrupt these financial lifelines, reflecting the current challenges and strategies.

Terrorism Financing

  • Sources of Funds
  • Methods of Transfer
  • Legal Framework (India)
  • Countermeasures & Cooperation

हालिया विकास

5 विकास

Increased scrutiny on the use of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets for terror financing, leading to calls for regulatory frameworks.

Enhanced focus on combating funds generated through ransom and extortion, especially from leaders operating abroad, as highlighted by the Home Minister.

India's active participation in international forums like FATF to strengthen global anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing (AML/CFT) regimes.

Development of databases and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to track financial transactions linked to terror and organised crime.

Implementation of stricter KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) norms for financial transactions to prevent misuse.

स्रोत विषय

Shah Urges Terror Case Analysis, Tech Boost for Counter-Terrorism

Polity & Governance

UPSC महत्व

Highly relevant for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Internal Security, Economy - Money Laundering), frequently asked in Mains regarding internal security challenges, international cooperation, and the economic dimensions of terrorism. Also important for Prelims on specific acts (UAPA, PMLA) and international bodies (FATF).

Terrorism Financing: Sources, Methods & Countermeasures (2025)

This mind map illustrates the complex ecosystem of terrorism financing, detailing the diverse sources of funds, the various methods used for transfer, and the comprehensive legal and international countermeasures employed to disrupt these financial lifelines, reflecting the current challenges and strategies.

Terrorism Financing

Illicit: Ransom, Extortion, Drug/Arms Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Counterfeit Currency

Legitimate: Charities, Businesses, Donations (often misused)

Formal: Banks, Wire Transfers

Informal: Hawala, Cash Couriers

New Tech: Cryptocurrencies, Online Crowdfunding, Prepaid Cards

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 (Criminalizes, Asset Seizure)

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 (Prevents legitimization)

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 (Regulates foreign funds)

Asset Freezing, Seizure & Forfeiture

International Cooperation (FATF, UNSCRs, Bilateral Agreements)

Suspicious Transaction Reporting (FIU-IND, KYC/AML)

Connections
Sources of FundsMethods of Transfer
Methods of TransferLegal Framework (India)
Legal Framework (India)Countermeasures & Cooperation
Countermeasures & CooperationSources of Funds