India’s fight against left-wing extremism has reached a significant turning point, with the Ministry of Home Affairs announcing a dramatic reduction in the most affected districts. The number of left-wing extremism districts classified as “most affected” has decreased from six to just three, marking substantial progress in the government’s mission to achieve a Naxal-free nation by March 2026.
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Other: Sergio Gor India
Unprecedented Decline in Left-Wing Extremism Districts
The latest data from the Ministry of Home Affairs reveals remarkable achievements in containing the Naxal menace that once plagued vast swathes of India’s heartland. According to recent government releases, left-wing extremism districts have witnessed an extraordinary contraction, with only three districts—Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh—remaining in the “most affected” category as of October 2025.
This reduction represents a continuation of the declining trend in left-wing extremism districts that has accelerated under focused counterinsurgency operations. In March 2025, the country had six districts classified as most affected, which included the three current districts plus Sukma (later reclassified), West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. The geographical contraction of left-wing extremist districts demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated security and development strategies.
Historical Context of Left-Wing Extremism Districts
The transformation becomes even more striking when viewed through a historical lens. In 2013, a staggering 126 districts across various states reported Naxal-related violence. The CPI (Maoist) envisioned a “Red Corridor” stretching from Pashupati in Nepal to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, controlling significant portions of India’s mineral-rich tribal regions. Today, the total number of left-wing extremism districts has shrunk to merely 11, down from 18 districts recorded in March 2025.
The steady decline in left-wing extremist districts reflects decades of persistent effort. From 90 affected districts in April 2018, the number dropped to 70 in July 2021, then to 38 in April 2024, and now stands at 11 districts across seven states. This progression underscores the systematic dismantling of Naxal infrastructure and influence across India’s most vulnerable regions.
Operational Successes Against Left-Wing Extremism
The reduction in left-wing extremist districts has been accompanied by unprecedented operational achievements. In 2025 alone, security forces eliminated 312 LWE cadres, including the CPI (Maoist) General Secretary and eight other Polit Bureau or Central Committee members. These high-profile eliminations have severely degraded the organisational capacity of Naxal groups operating within left-wing extremism districts.
Additionally, 836 LWE cadres were arrested throughout the affected regions, while an impressive 1,639 individuals surrendered and joined the mainstream, including one Politburo member and one Central Committee member. These surrenders indicate growing disillusionment within Naxal ranks and reflect the psychological impact of sustained pressure on left-wing extremism districts.
The 11 Remaining Left-Wing Extremism Districts
The current list of left-wing extremism districts comprises locations in seven states, with Chhattisgarh bearing the heaviest burden. The affected districts include Bijapur, Dantewada, Gariyaband, Kanker, Mohalla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh; West Singhbhum in Jharkhand; Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh; Gadchiroli in Maharashtra; and Kandhamal in Odisha.
Among these left-wing extremism districts, the three most affected—Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur—remain concentrated in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh. This geographical clustering has enabled security forces to implement focused operational strategies, leading to significant disruption of Naxal activities in these left-wing extremism districts.
Multi-Pronged Strategy for Left-Wing Extremism Districts
The government’s approach to tackling left-wing extremism in districts combines robust security measures with comprehensive development initiatives. The National Policy and Action Plan, approved in 2015, adopts a holistic strategy involving security operations, development interventions, and ensuring the rights and entitlements of local communities residing in left-wing extremism districts.
On the security front, the government has deployed Central Armed Police Force battalions to left-wing extremism districts while modernising state police forces through training, equipment, and construction of fortified police stations. Intelligence-based operations, swift area domination, and targeting of senior Maoist leaders have become hallmarks of the counter-insurgency approach in left-wing extremism districts.
Simultaneously, development initiatives have transformed the socio-economic landscape of left-wing extremist districts. Infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and connectivity improvements, have reached previously isolated tribal communities. Financial inclusion programs have expanded banking and postal services across left-wing extremism districts, countering Naxal propaganda about government neglect.
Violent Trends in Left-Wing Extremism Districts
Statistical indicators demonstrate significant improvement across left-wing extremism districts. LWE violence incidents have decreased by 73 per cent from their peak in 2010. Between 2004 and 2014, there were 16,463 incidents compared to just 7,744 between 2014 and 2024—a 53 per cent reduction.
More importantly, casualties in left-wing extremist districts have declined dramatically. Security force casualties decreased by 73 per cent from 1,851 to 509, while civilian deaths dropped by 70 per cent from 4,766 to 1,495 over the same period. These figures reflect not only enhanced security capabilities but also improved intelligence and operational effectiveness within left-wing extremism districts.
During the first half of 2024, security force-initiated operations in left-wing extremism districts increased 1.7 times compared to 2023, resulting in a fivefold increase in Maoist neutralisations. This operational tempo has maintained pressure on remaining Naxal strongholds while protecting civilian populations in left-wing extremism districts.
Road to Complete Eradication
Road to Complete EradicationUnion Home Minister Amit Shah has set an ambitious target to completely eradicate the Naxal menace from left-wing extremism districts by March 31, 2026. This deadline reflects confidence in the trajectory of ongoing operations and the effectiveness of integrated security-development strategies.
The path forward involves sustained pressure on remaining left-wing extremism districts while addressing underlying developmental challenges. Infrastructure development, employment generation, and ensuring tribal rights remain critical components of the long-term solution for left-wing extremism districts.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite remarkable progress, challenges persist in left-wing extremist districts. Naxal groups continue attempting to expand along inter-state borders, though without significant success. The CPI (Maoist) still accounts for over 90 per cent of violent incidents in left-wing extremism districts, demonstrating organisational resilience despite sustained setbacks.
Critics emphasise that lasting peace in left-wing extremist districts requires more than security operations. Addressing historical grievances, ensuring tribal land rights, preventing exploitation, and creating economic opportunities remain essential for preventing resurgence in left-wing extremist districts.
The reduction of left-wing extremist districts from 126 to 11 represents one of India’s most significant internal security achievements. As the nation approaches the March 2026 deadline, continued vigilance, development focus, and community engagement will determine whether India achieves its vision of a completely Naxal-free nation. The transformation of left-wing extremist districts into peaceful, prosperous regions stands as a testament to persistent effort, strategic clarity, and holistic governance approaches that address both security and development dimensions simultaneously.
