Money Laundering & Organised Crime (Internal Security).
Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS3: Internal security
Money laundering for UPSC: placement, layering, integration, PMLA 2002, ED powers, Vijay Madanlal judgment, FATF 2024 evaluation of India, crypto and hawala.
On 19 August 2026 the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted a wildlife trafficking syndicate in Lucknow and seized 54 carved ivory artefacts. Four people were arrested and handed over, with the items, to the UP Forest Department. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 bans trade in elephant ivory, in line with India's obligations under CITES.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CITES; WPA schedules.
19 Aug 2026
On 16 August 2026 the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said it had broken a network that imported South-East Asian areca nuts by declaring them as Bangladeshi. This let importers claim full customs duty exemption under SAFTA instead of paying 100 per cent basic duty. Duty evaded is estimated at over ₹2,500 crore; nine people were arrested.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SAFTA; rules of origin.
16 Aug 2026
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said on 27 June 2026 that it had foiled smuggling of Chinese-origin firecrackers through Chennai Port and Mumbai, with seizures worth around ₹35 crore and 12 arrests. Containers were mis-declared as trolley bags and sprayers. Firecracker import is Restricted and needs DGFT and PESO licences under the Explosives Rules, 2008.
UPSC angle: Mains: challenges of smuggling and port security.
27 Jun 2026
An Indian officer presently Secretary, Ministry of Culture, has been elected Vice-President of the Financial Action Task Force for July 2026 to June 2027, the Finance Ministry said on 19 June 2026. It is the first time India will hold the FATF Vice-Presidency. The Vice-President is elected by the FATF Plenary and assists the President.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FATF facts, grey list.
19 Jun 2026
Under Operation RAGEPILL, NCB seized about 227.7 kg Captagon tablets and powder worth about ₹182 crore and arrested an overstaying Syrian national. About 31.5 kg of tablets came from Neb Sarai, Delhi, and about 196.2 kg of powder from a Mundra CFS container from Syria. It is India's first Captagon seizure under the NDPS Act.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NDPS Act, NCB.
16 May 2026
Bringing PFRDA and SEBI into data sharing closes routes that launderers could use.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FIU-IND.
16 Apr 2026