NEW DELHI: In a significant update on the country’s security landscape, the Ministry of Home Affairs has identified only two districts in India as actively affected by Left Wing Extremism under the revised classification of the Security Related Expenditure scheme.
According to the latest categorisation that came into effect on March 27, 2026, Bijapur in Chhattisgarh and West Singhbhum in Jharkhand have been designated as the only districts falling under the “LWE Affected Districts” category. Meanwhile, Kanker in Chhattisgarh has been placed in the “District of Concern” category.
The revised list was circulated to the Directors General of Police of states affected by Left Wing Extremism as well as to the Director General of the Central Armed Police Forces. The classification is used as a basis for allocating central funds and security resources to states dealing with Maoist related violence.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier informed Parliament that the number of districts facing active Left Wing Extremism has significantly declined. He stated that currently only two districts remain in the most serious category, reflecting a substantial improvement in the overall security situation.
The government has also highlighted major development initiatives in these regions. According to official data, around 12,000 kilometres of roads have been constructed out of the planned 17,579 kilometre network in affected areas, with an investment of about ₹20,000 crore. In addition, thousands of post offices, bank branches and ATMs have been established to improve financial and communication infrastructure in remote regions.
Under the Security Related Expenditure framework, districts are divided into three categories: LWE Affected Districts, Districts of Concern and Legacy and Thrust districts. While the first category represents areas where extremist activity continues, the District of Concern category includes regions where Maoist influence has weakened but still requires focused monitoring and support.
A total of 35 districts across nine states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal, fall under the Legacy and Thrust category, where authorities aim to consolidate security gains and prevent any resurgence of extremist activities.
