The MHA is primarily responsible for the country's internal security. It oversees law enforcement agencies such as the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), state police forces, and intelligence agencies like the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The ministry coordinates efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency, and other internal security threats.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) discharges multifarious responsibilities, the important among them being - internal security, border management, Centre-State relations, administration of Union Territories, management of Central Armed Police Forces, disaster management, etc. Though in terms of Entries 1 and 2 of List II – ‘State List’ – in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, ‘public order’ and ‘police’ are the responsibilities of States, Article 355 of the Constitution enjoins the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

The ministry administers Union Territories (UTs) of India directly through its departments and agencies. It oversees governance, law and order, and development activities in UTs such as Delhi, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Budget 24-2025

For the fiscal year 2024-25, the Ministry has an estimated annual budget of Rs 2,02,868 crore.