Government backgrounder: Naxal-affected districts down from 126 to 18; Naxal-free goal by March 2026
A PIB backgrounder on 25 October 2025 said Naxal-affected districts fell from 126 in 2014 to 18 in 2024, with the government aiming to make India Naxal-free by March 2026.
Summary
On 25 October 2025, PIB published a backgrounder on the Union Government's strategy against Naxalism, which aims to make all affected districts Naxal-free by March 2026. Comparing 2004–14 with 2014–24, violent incidents fell from 16,463 to 7,744 and security personnel deaths from 1,851 to 509. Naxal-affected districts dropped from 126 in 2014 to 18 in 2024, and only 6 are now 'most affected'. In 2025, forces neutralised 270 Naxals, arrested 680 and saw 1,225 surrenders. In the last decade 576 fortified police stations were built, and 68 night-landing helipads were added. Surrendered cadres get ₹5 lakh (high rank) or ₹2.5 lakh (mid or low rank), plus ₹10,000 a month for 36 months during vocational training. The Bastariya Battalion, formed in 2018, has 1,143 recruits.
Key facts
- Goal
- Naxal-free by March 2026
- Affected districts
- 126 (2014) → 18 (2024); 6 most-affected
- Incidents
- 16,463 (2004–14) → 7,744 (2014–24)
- 2025 so far
- 270 neutralised, 680 arrested, 1,225 surrenders
- Rehabilitation
- ₹5 lakh / ₹2.5 lakh + ₹10,000/month for 36 months
- Bastariya Battalion
- Formed 2018; 1,143 recruits
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to the PIB backgrounder of October 2025, by when does the Union Government aim to make all affected districts Naxal-free?
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Correct answer: B — March 2026
PIB backgrounder: the unified plan aims to make all affected districts Naxal-free by March 2026.
Consider the following statements based on the PIB backgrounder on Naxalism (October 2025): 1. The number of Naxal-affected districts fell from 126 in 2014 to 18 in 2024. 2. Twelve districts are now categorised as most-affected. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: affected districts fell from 126 in 2014 to 18 in 2024, with only 6 (not 12) now categorised as most-affected.
The Bastariya Battalion, cited in the PIB backgrounder on Naxalism as a symbol of local participation, was formed in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2018
PIB backgrounder: the Bastariya Battalion, formed in 2018, comprises 1,143 recruits, including 400 youth from Bijapur, Sukma and Dantewada districts.