General Studies III · Subtopic
External state actors
Official syllabus
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
UPSC CSE 2026 notification
What this covers
A state actor may affect another state's internal security through diplomatic, economic, informational or covert channels. A hostile act is a specific evidenced claim; ordinary international disagreement or criticism is not equivalent to it.
Key ideas
- State agency
- Capability and intent
- Information and financial channels
- Attribution
- Diplomatic and legal response