UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18th May 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs Revamped Multi-Agency Centre (MAC): Strengthening India’s Counter-Terror Architecture

Revamped Multi-Agency Centre (MAC): Strengthening India’s Counter-Terror Architecture

Why in News?

On May 16, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a revamped ₹500 crore Multi-Agency Centre (MAC)—a centralized counter-terror intelligence grid under the Intelligence Bureau (IB). It now connects all police districts nationwide and brings together 28 agencies including RAW, armed forces, CAPFs, and State police for real-time intelligence sharing.

Key Highlights

Cost: ₹500 crore allocated for infrastructure, software, and secure communication.
Participants: 28 agencies including IB, RAW, armed forces, state police, CAPFs, BSF.
Integration: All police districts across India now connected through MAC.
Technological Features: Embedded AI/ML tools, GIS services, and predictive analytics.
Purpose: Counter terrorism, organised crime, cyber threats, and naxalism through seamless inter-agency collaboration.

Background

Post-Kargil Reforms: MAC was conceptualised in 2001 after recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee and Group of Ministers on National Security.
Post-26/11 Enhancements: Following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Subsidiary MACs (SMACs) were established in states to decentralize intelligence collection.
Operation Sindoor (2025) and recent anti-Naxal operations have showcased the need for real-time, integrated threat response.

Legal and Policy Framework

MAC under Intelligence Bureau (IB), which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

While not backed by a dedicated statute, MAC functions through executive orders and inter-agency cooperation.

Kargil Review Committee and GoM (2001):

Recommended centralised intelligence coordination and a multi-tier structure for counter-terrorism.

FRBM Act and Budget Allocation:

₹500 crore expenditure on MAC fits within national security allocations under capital expenditure plans.

Federal Aspects in Internal Security

Positive Developments:

State Police Integration: All police districts now directly linked to MAC—a major milestone in vertical federal coordination.
Subsidiary MACs (SMACs): Present in state capitals; act as nodes for sharing intelligence from districts to the national level.

Federal Challenges:

Centre-State Tensions:
- Policing and public order fall under the State List (Seventh Schedule).
- States may view central data-sharing mandates as encroachments on their autonomy.
Lack of Statutory Clarity:
- MAC operates without a specific legislative framework, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in Centre-State coordination.
Resource and Capacity Gaps:
- Many state police forces lack the technical training or infrastructure to fully leverage advanced tools like AI/GIS.

Other Challenges

Cybersecurity and Privacy:
- Centralised databases with sensitive information are high-value cyber targets.
Inter-agency Jurisdictional Overlaps:
- Lack of clarity in roles may delay operational response during crises.

Way Ahead

Statutory Backing:
- Consider passing a comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Coordination Act to define MAC’s role and federal safeguards.
Capacity Building for States:
- Upgrade state police infrastructure and intelligence analysis capabilities.
Institutionalised Centre-State Dialogue:
- Regular security coordination meetings to foster cooperative federalism.
Integrated Data Governance:
- Merge MAC with NATGRID, CCTNS, and immigration databases, while ensuring data protection frameworks.
Democratic Oversight:
- Introduce oversight through a parliamentary standing committee on intelligence or independent review board.

Conclusion

The upgraded Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) represents a significant leap in India’s counter-terrorism framework by leveraging technology, integration, and inter-agency coordination. However, to truly strengthen national security in a federal democracy, it is crucial to balance central control with state autonomy, enact legal safeguards, and embed the system in a framework of cooperative federalism and institutional accountability.