AFSPA Extended in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for Six Months

The Centre extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in specified areas of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months with effect from 1 October 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notifications on 25 September 2026 after reviewing the law and order situation. The whole of Manipur stays a disturbed area except areas under 13 police stations. Nine full districts of Nagaland and three districts of Arunachal Pradesh remain covered. For exams this links internal security, Section 3 of the Act, Centre-State powers and the long debate on repealing the law.

What Happened

The Union Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in specified areas of three north-eastern States for a further six months. The notifications were issued on 25 September 2026 and take effect from 1 October 2026. The step followed a review of the law and order situation in each area. The extension continues the disturbed area status in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, with the same pattern of exclusions as before.

When & Where

The notifications were dated 25 September 2026 and the extension begins on 1 October 2026, running for six months unless withdrawn earlier. The areas lie in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, three States of India's North-East. Arunachal Pradesh shares a long boundary with China, while Nagaland and Manipur share borders with Myanmar. The Namsai police station areas in Arunachal Pradesh sit on the Assam border, which explains their separate treatment.

Who Is Involved

Ministry of Home Affairs — the Union ministry that issues disturbed area notifications.
Manipur — entire State declared disturbed, except areas under 13 police stations.
Nagaland — nine full districts plus 21 police station areas in five other districts.
Arunachal Pradesh — Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts plus three police station areas in Namsai district.
Armed forces of the Union — the forces that exercise the special powers in a declared area.

How It Works

Review — the Centre assesses the law and order position in each area before deciding.
Declaration — under Section 3 of the Act, an area can be declared a disturbed area by notification. Without this declaration the special powers do not apply.
Notification — the order is published so the exact boundaries of the disturbed area are known. This is why police station areas, not just districts, are listed.
Exercise of powers — once an area is declared disturbed, the armed forces can act under the powers the Act gives them there.
Time limit — the declaration is for a fixed period, here six months, so it must be reviewed and renewed rather than continuing forever.
Withdrawal — the Centre may lift the declaration before the six months end if conditions improve.

Why It Matters

Constitutional angle — police and public order are State subjects, while deployment of the armed forces of the Union in aid of the civil power is a Union subject. AFSPA sits at this junction.
Security angle — the covered areas face insurgency and cross-border movement, so the Centre treats normal policing as insufficient there.
Rights angle — civil society groups have long argued that the special powers weaken accountability, which is why each extension draws criticism.
Federal angle — a State government's view is taken into account, but the Centre can also act on its own assessment.

Historical Background

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was enacted in 1958 for the Naga Hills area of the then State of Assam, where armed insurgency had begun. It was later extended to more of the North-East as conflicts spread, and separate legislation applied similar powers in Punjab and in Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition grew through the 1990s and 2000s. The Supreme Court examined the Act in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India in 1997 and upheld its constitutional validity while laying down safeguards. The Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy Committee, set up in 2004, recommended in its 2005 report that the Act be repealed. Successive governments have instead narrowed its geographical reach, and the current notification continues that pattern of partial coverage rather than blanket application.

Previous Related Events

2015 — Tripura withdrew AFSPA from the State after nearly two decades of operation.
April 2022 — the Centre reduced the disturbed areas under AFSPA in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.
May 2023 — ethnic violence broke out in Manipur, which shaped later security decisions in the State.

Static GK Connection

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 — Section 3 provides for declaring a disturbed area, Section 4 sets out the special powers in such an area, and Section 6 requires prior sanction of the Central Government before prosecuting a person acting under the Act.
Article 355 of the Constitution — places a duty on the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance.
Seventh Schedule — public order and police are State List subjects, while deployment of any armed force of the Union in a State in aid of the civil power is a Union List subject.
Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997) — the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Act and read in procedural safeguards.

India & World Comparison

India uses a statute with a fixed-term declaration that must be renewed, in this case every six months, rather than a permanent emergency law. Many countries handle armed internal conflict through general emergency provisions that suspend rights broadly. The Indian design is narrower in area but has been criticised for lasting decades in some regions. Within India itself the comparison is instructive: Tripura ended AFSPA in 2015 and the disturbed area coverage in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur was cut in April 2022, showing that the law contracts as security improves. The current notification covers three States rather than the whole North-East.

Future Impact

1 October 2026 — the extended declaration begins on this date.
Six months — the declaration lapses after this period unless renewed, so a fresh review falls due around the start of April 2027.
Possible earlier withdrawal — the Centre can lift the declaration before the period ends if conditions improve.
Policy debate — each renewal revives demands for repeal and for full implementation of the safeguards laid down by the Supreme Court.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh from 1 October 2026.
The extension is for six months unless withdrawn earlier.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notifications on 25 September 2026.
The declarations were made under Section 3 of the Act.
Section 3 allows an area to be declared a disturbed area.
Whole of Manipur is covered except areas under 13 police stations.
Those police stations lie in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts.
Nine Nagaland districts covered: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, Meluri.
Twenty-one police station areas in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto are covered.
Arunachal Pradesh districts covered: Tirap, Changlang and Longding.
Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police station areas in Namsai district are covered.
The Act was enacted in 1958, originally for the Naga Hills area.
Section 6 requires prior sanction of the Central Government for prosecution.
The Supreme Court upheld the Act in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India, 1997.
The Jeevan Reddy Committee recommended repeal in its 2005 report.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: The disturbed area declaration under AFSPA

Definition: A disturbed area is an area declared by notification to be in such a condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is considered necessary.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 provides the power to declare; Section 4 lists the powers available in a declared area; Section 6 bars prosecution without prior sanction of the Central Government.
Underlying principle: Ordinary policing rests with the State. Special powers are treated as an exception, so they need a formal declaration, a fixed area and a fixed period.
Link to this event: The 25 September 2026 notifications are exactly such declarations, and they take effect on 1 October 2026 for six months.
Origin & History: The Act was passed in 1958 for the Naga Hills area of undivided Assam, replacing an earlier ordinance.
Key milestone 1: 1997 — the Supreme Court upheld the Act in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India.
Key milestone 2: 2005 — the Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy Committee report recommended repeal of the Act.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967; the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008; separate special powers legislation applied in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nodal Ministry / Body: The Ministry of Home Affairs issues and reviews the notifications.
India-specific relevance: The covered areas border Myanmar and China, where insurgent movement across the boundary complicates policing.
Global comparison: Many States use broad emergency powers; India instead uses an area-specific statute with a renewable time limit.
Constitutional link: Article 355 casts a duty on the Union to protect States against internal disturbance, which is the basis often cited for central action.
Common exam angle: Examiners ask which section allows the declaration, which authority issues it, and the duration of the current extension.
Easy memory hook: 3 declares, 4 empowers, 6 protects — Section 3 declares the area, Section 4 gives powers, Section 6 requires sanction.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. From which date does the latest extension of AFSPA in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh take effect? [Easy]

A) 1 October 2026

B) 25 September 2026

C) 1 April 2026

D) 26 September 2026

Answer: A

Explanation: The notifications were issued on 25 September 2026 and the extension takes effect from 1 October 2026 for six months.

Q2. Which ministry issues disturbed area notifications under AFSPA? [Easy]

A) Ministry of Defence

B) Ministry of Law and Justice

C) Ministry of External Affairs

D) Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: D

Explanation: The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notifications on 25 September 2026 extending the declarations by six months.

Q3. Under which section of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is an area declared a disturbed area? [Moderate]

A) Section 2

B) Section 3

C) Section 4

D) Section 6

Answer: B

Explanation: Section 3 provides the power to declare an area a disturbed area, which is the precondition for the special powers to apply.

Q4. How many police station areas in Manipur are kept outside the disturbed area declaration? [Moderate]

A) 9

B) 11

C) 13

D) 21

Answer: C

Explanation: The whole of Manipur is covered except the areas under 13 police stations, which lie in five districts.

Q5. Which of the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the latest AFSPA notification? [Moderate]

A) Longding

B) Tawang

C) Ziro

D) Itanagar Capital Complex

Answer: A

Explanation: Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh remain covered, along with three police station areas in Namsai district.

Q6. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched with respect to AFSPA, 1958? [Tricky]

A) Section 3 — powers of the armed forces in a disturbed area

B) Section 4 — declaration of a disturbed area

C) Section 6 — prior sanction of the Central Government for prosecution

D) Section 2 — repeal of the Act

Answer: C

Explanation: Section 6 requires prior sanction of the Central Government before prosecuting a person acting under the Act.

Q7. Which Nagaland district is among the nine covered entirely by the latest notification? [Tricky]

A) Kohima

B) Wokha

C) Meluri

D) Zunheboto

Answer: C

Explanation: Meluri is one of the nine fully covered districts; Kohima, Wokha and Zunheboto are among the districts where only certain police station areas are covered.

Q8. Which statement about the latest AFSPA extension is correct? [Tricky]

A) It applies to the whole of the North-East region

B) It is for six months and may be withdrawn earlier

C) It was issued under Article 355 of the Constitution

D) It makes the declaration permanent in Manipur

Answer: B

Explanation: The declaration runs for six months from 1 October 2026 and the Centre can lift it earlier if conditions improve.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

In which year was the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act enacted, and for which region was it originally applied?

A) 1950, Jammu and Kashmir

B) 1955, Punjab

C) 1958, the Naga Hills area

D) 1967, the whole of the North-East

Answer: C

Explanation: The Act was enacted in 1958 and applied initially to the Naga Hills area of the then State of Assam.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements:

The latest AFSPA extension takes effect from 1 October 2026.
The declarations were made under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
The entire State of Nagaland has been declared a disturbed area under this notification.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong, because nine districts and 21 police station areas of Nagaland are covered, not the whole State.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): A disturbed area notification under AFSPA has to be renewed from time to time.

Reason (R): The Act requires every declaration to be made for a fixed period, after which it lapses unless extended.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true but R is false

D) A is false but R is true

Answer: A

Explanation: The current declarations run for six months from 1 October 2026, so a fresh review and notification are needed to continue them.

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Explain why the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 requires a disturbed area declaration, and what the latest notification shows about how the law is now applied.

The Act requires a declaration because the special powers it grants are treated as an exception, not the normal rule of policing.

Section 3 allows an area to be declared a disturbed area, and only then do the powers under the Act operate there. This design keeps three limits in place. The powers apply to a defined area, for a defined period, and only after the Centre has reviewed the situation. The notifications issued on 25 September 2026, effective from 1 October 2026 for six months, follow exactly this route.

The latest notification also shows how the law has narrowed. The whole of Manipur is covered except areas under 13 police stations. Nagaland has nine full districts plus 21 police station areas, and Arunachal Pradesh only three districts and three police station areas.

Coverage now follows assessed conditions rather than whole regions.

Question 2 (250 words): Critically examine the continued extension of AFSPA in parts of the North-East in the light of constitutional provisions, judicial pronouncements and committee recommendations.

The extension of AFSPA in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh from 1 October 2026 keeps alive a debate that is now more than six decades old.

Constitutionally, the law sits at a difficult junction. Police and public order are State subjects, while deployment of the armed forces of the Union in a State in aid of the civil power is a Union subject. Article 355 casts a duty on the Union to protect States against internal disturbance, and central action is usually justified on that basis. Critics reply that this reading lets the Centre keep special powers in force in areas where the State machinery is functioning.

Judicially, the position is settled but conditional. In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India, decided in 1997, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Act while reading in safeguards on how the powers must be used. Section 6, which bars prosecution without prior sanction of the Central Government, remains the most contested provision, because it is seen as blunting accountability.

On policy, the Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy Committee recommended repeal in its 2005 report, and no government has accepted that recommendation. What has happened instead is gradual contraction. Tripura withdrew the Act in 2015, disturbed areas were reduced in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur in April 2022, and the present notification covers three States with listed exclusions rather than the region as a whole.

A credible way forward is to tie each renewal to published security criteria and to faster decisions on sanction requests.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students confuse Section 3 with Section 4 of the Act. The correct fact is that Section 3 provides for declaring a disturbed area, while Section 4 sets out the powers available once that declaration is made.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that the whole of Nagaland and the whole of the North-East are under AFSPA. The reality is that this notification covers nine Nagaland districts and 21 police station areas in five others, and in Arunachal Pradesh only three districts and three police station areas.
Trap 3: Many students miss the date on which the extension begins. Always remember that the notifications were issued on 25 September 2026 but the six-month extension takes effect from 1 October 2026.

AFSPA Extended in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for Six Months

What Happened

When & Where

Who Is Involved

Ministry of Home Affairs — the Union ministry that issues disturbed area notifications.
Manipur — entire State declared disturbed, except areas under 13 police stations.
Nagaland — nine full districts plus 21 police station areas in five other districts.
Arunachal Pradesh — Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts plus three police station areas in Namsai district.
Armed forces of the Union — the forces that exercise the special powers in a declared area.

How It Works

Review — the Centre assesses the law and order position in each area before deciding.
Declaration — under Section 3 of the Act, an area can be declared a disturbed area by notification. Without this declaration the special powers do not apply.
Notification — the order is published so the exact boundaries of the disturbed area are known. This is why police station areas, not just districts, are listed.
Exercise of powers — once an area is declared disturbed, the armed forces can act under the powers the Act gives them there.
Time limit — the declaration is for a fixed period, here six months, so it must be reviewed and renewed rather than continuing forever.
Withdrawal — the Centre may lift the declaration before the six months end if conditions improve.

Why It Matters

Constitutional angle — police and public order are State subjects, while deployment of the armed forces of the Union in aid of the civil power is a Union subject. AFSPA sits at this junction.
Security angle — the covered areas face insurgency and cross-border movement, so the Centre treats normal policing as insufficient there.
Rights angle — civil society groups have long argued that the special powers weaken accountability, which is why each extension draws criticism.
Federal angle — a State government's view is taken into account, but the Centre can also act on its own assessment.

Historical Background

Previous Related Events

2015 — Tripura withdrew AFSPA from the State after nearly two decades of operation.
April 2022 — the Centre reduced the disturbed areas under AFSPA in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur.
May 2023 — ethnic violence broke out in Manipur, which shaped later security decisions in the State.

Static GK Connection

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 — Section 3 provides for declaring a disturbed area, Section 4 sets out the special powers in such an area, and Section 6 requires prior sanction of the Central Government before prosecuting a person acting under the Act.
Article 355 of the Constitution — places a duty on the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance.
Seventh Schedule — public order and police are State List subjects, while deployment of any armed force of the Union in a State in aid of the civil power is a Union List subject.
Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997) — the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Act and read in procedural safeguards.

India & World Comparison

Future Impact

1 October 2026 — the extended declaration begins on this date.
Six months — the declaration lapses after this period unless renewed, so a fresh review falls due around the start of April 2027.
Possible earlier withdrawal — the Centre can lift the declaration before the period ends if conditions improve.
Policy debate — each renewal revives demands for repeal and for full implementation of the safeguards laid down by the Supreme Court.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh from 1 October 2026.
The extension is for six months unless withdrawn earlier.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notifications on 25 September 2026.
The declarations were made under Section 3 of the Act.
Section 3 allows an area to be declared a disturbed area.
Whole of Manipur is covered except areas under 13 police stations.
Those police stations lie in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts.
Nine Nagaland districts covered: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren, Meluri.
Twenty-one police station areas in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto are covered.
Arunachal Pradesh districts covered: Tirap, Changlang and Longding.
Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police station areas in Namsai district are covered.
The Act was enacted in 1958, originally for the Naga Hills area.
Section 6 requires prior sanction of the Central Government for prosecution.
The Supreme Court upheld the Act in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India, 1997.
The Jeevan Reddy Committee recommended repeal in its 2005 report.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: The disturbed area declaration under AFSPA

Definition: A disturbed area is an area declared by notification to be in such a condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is considered necessary.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 provides the power to declare; Section 4 lists the powers available in a declared area; Section 6 bars prosecution without prior sanction of the Central Government.
Underlying principle: Ordinary policing rests with the State. Special powers are treated as an exception, so they need a formal declaration, a fixed area and a fixed period.
Link to this event: The 25 September 2026 notifications are exactly such declarations, and they take effect on 1 October 2026 for six months.
Origin & History: The Act was passed in 1958 for the Naga Hills area of undivided Assam, replacing an earlier ordinance.
Key milestone 1: 1997 — the Supreme Court upheld the Act in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India.
Key milestone 2: 2005 — the Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy Committee report recommended repeal of the Act.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967; the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008; separate special powers legislation applied in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nodal Ministry / Body: The Ministry of Home Affairs issues and reviews the notifications.
India-specific relevance: The covered areas border Myanmar and China, where insurgent movement across the boundary complicates policing.
Global comparison: Many States use broad emergency powers; India instead uses an area-specific statute with a renewable time limit.
Constitutional link: Article 355 casts a duty on the Union to protect States against internal disturbance, which is the basis often cited for central action.
Common exam angle: Examiners ask which section allows the declaration, which authority issues it, and the duration of the current extension.
Easy memory hook: 3 declares, 4 empowers, 6 protects — Section 3 declares the area, Section 4 gives powers, Section 6 requires sanction.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. From which date does the latest extension of AFSPA in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh take effect? [Easy]

A) 1 October 2026

B) 25 September 2026

C) 1 April 2026

D) 26 September 2026

Answer: A

Explanation: The notifications were issued on 25 September 2026 and the extension takes effect from 1 October 2026 for six months.

Q2. Which ministry issues disturbed area notifications under AFSPA? [Easy]

A) Ministry of Defence

B) Ministry of Law and Justice

C) Ministry of External Affairs

D) Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: D

Explanation: The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notifications on 25 September 2026 extending the declarations by six months.

Q3. Under which section of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is an area declared a disturbed area? [Moderate]

A) Section 2

B) Section 3

C) Section 4

D) Section 6

Answer: B

Explanation: Section 3 provides the power to declare an area a disturbed area, which is the precondition for the special powers to apply.

Q4. How many police station areas in Manipur are kept outside the disturbed area declaration? [Moderate]

A) 9

B) 11

C) 13

D) 21

Answer: C

Explanation: The whole of Manipur is covered except the areas under 13 police stations, which lie in five districts.

Q5. Which of the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the latest AFSPA notification? [Moderate]

A) Longding

B) Tawang

C) Ziro

D) Itanagar Capital Complex

Answer: A

Explanation: Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh remain covered, along with three police station areas in Namsai district.

Q6. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched with respect to AFSPA, 1958? [Tricky]

A) Section 3 — powers of the armed forces in a disturbed area

B) Section 4 — declaration of a disturbed area

C) Section 6 — prior sanction of the Central Government for prosecution

D) Section 2 — repeal of the Act

Answer: C

Explanation: Section 6 requires prior sanction of the Central Government before prosecuting a person acting under the Act.

Q7. Which Nagaland district is among the nine covered entirely by the latest notification? [Tricky]

A) Kohima

B) Wokha

C) Meluri

D) Zunheboto

Answer: C

Explanation: Meluri is one of the nine fully covered districts; Kohima, Wokha and Zunheboto are among the districts where only certain police station areas are covered.

Q8. Which statement about the latest AFSPA extension is correct? [Tricky]

A) It applies to the whole of the North-East region

B) It is for six months and may be withdrawn earlier

C) It was issued under Article 355 of the Constitution

D) It makes the declaration permanent in Manipur

Answer: B

Explanation: The declaration runs for six months from 1 October 2026 and the Centre can lift it earlier if conditions improve.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

In which year was the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act enacted, and for which region was it originally applied?

A) 1950, Jammu and Kashmir

B) 1955, Punjab

C) 1958, the Naga Hills area

D) 1967, the whole of the North-East

Answer: C

Explanation: The Act was enacted in 1958 and applied initially to the Naga Hills area of the then State of Assam.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements:

The latest AFSPA extension takes effect from 1 October 2026.
The declarations were made under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
The entire State of Nagaland has been declared a disturbed area under this notification.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: B

Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong, because nine districts and 21 police station areas of Nagaland are covered, not the whole State.

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): A disturbed area notification under AFSPA has to be renewed from time to time.

Reason (R): The Act requires every declaration to be made for a fixed period, after which it lapses unless extended.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true but R is false

D) A is false but R is true

Answer: A

Explanation: The current declarations run for six months from 1 October 2026, so a fresh review and notification are needed to continue them.

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Explain why the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 requires a disturbed area declaration, and what the latest notification shows about how the law is now applied.

The Act requires a declaration because the special powers it grants are treated as an exception, not the normal rule of policing.

Coverage now follows assessed conditions rather than whole regions.

The extension of AFSPA in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh from 1 October 2026 keeps alive a debate that is now more than six decades old.

A credible way forward is to tie each renewal to published security criteria and to faster decisions on sanction requests.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students confuse Section 3 with Section 4 of the Act. The correct fact is that Section 3 provides for declaring a disturbed area, while Section 4 sets out the powers available once that declaration is made.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that the whole of Nagaland and the whole of the North-East are under AFSPA. The reality is that this notification covers nine Nagaland districts and 21 police station areas in five others, and in Arunachal Pradesh only three districts and three police station areas.
Trap 3: Many students miss the date on which the extension begins. Always remember that the notifications were issued on 25 September 2026 but the six-month extension takes effect from 1 October 2026.