Classification of Districts Affected by LWE | 04 Apr 2026

Source: TH 

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has comprehensively revised the categorization of districts affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) to align anti-Naxal strategies with current ground realities, marking a historic contraction of the Red Corridor (districts of India which have the presence and influence of Naxalites). 

• New Classification: The earlier category of “most affected districts” has been replaced with a more nuanced classification consisting of LWE Affected Districts, Districts of Concern, and Legacy & Thrust Districts, allowing better assessment of the intensity of extremism. 
• Current Categorisation (2026): At present, only Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) and West Singhbhum (Jharkhand) are classified as LWE Affected Districts, while Kanker (Chhattisgarh) is categorised as a District of Concern, and the remaining 35 districts fall under Legacy & Thrust category across nine states. 
  • Previously, districts such as Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh were part of the “most affected” category till 2025, indicating a significant improvement in the situation. 
• Decline of Red Corridor: The Red Corridor has sharply reduced from over 200 districts in 2005 to just 2 districts in 2026, reflecting the success of sustained security and developmental interventions, in line with India’s target to eliminate LWE by March 2026. 
• Purpose of Reclassification: The revised categorisation aims to ensure better allocation of resources and alignment of anti-LWE efforts with evolving ground realities, making interventions more targeted and effective. 
• Policy Framework: The changes are rooted in the National Policy and Action Plan to Address LWE (2015), which combines security measures with development initiatives to tackle extremism comprehensively. 
• Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: The revised categorizations will dictate resource deployment under the SRE Scheme, where the Centre reimburses States for security force operations, ex-gratia payments, and the rehabilitation of surrendered LWE cadres and community policing. 
  • A total of Rs 1,685 crore has been released up to 2023–24 under the SRE Scheme, reflecting sustained financial commitment to combat LWE. 
• Naxal-free India: The Union Government has declared in the Lok Sabha that the country is effectively “Naxal-free,” marking a major milestone in internal security.