Various Security Forces and Their Mandate | 14 Nov 2024

What is the Framework of the Security Forces in India?

The Indian security framework comprises the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and the Strategic Force Command, all of which play a vital role in ensuring the nation’s security.

• Law and Order Responsibility:
  • Law and order is primarily a state responsibility, with most policing functions managed by individual states and union territories.
  • Major cities have metropolitan police forces operating under their respective state governments.
• Federal Law Enforcement Oversight:
  • Most federal law enforcement agencies are regulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which coordinates internal security efforts.
• Mandates and Ministry Oversight:
  • External Security: This is primarily managed by the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Internal Security: The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees this aspect, with support from the Defence Ministry, addressing challenges such as insurgency, separatism, and civil unrest.
• Types of Security Forces:
  • Indian Armed Forces: Responsible for external security and national defense.
  • Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): Also referred to as Paramilitary Forces, they focus on internal security, law enforcement, and border protection.
• Specialized Units:
  • The security framework includes dedicated Special Forces across various branches.
  • Specialized units for Anti-Terrorism, Urban Warfare, and VIP Protection are equipped to handle counter-terrorism operations and urban conflicts, ensuring security during high-risk situations and for vulnerable individuals.

What is the Organizational Structure of Indian Armed Forces?

• About Indian Armed Forces:
  • The Indian Armed Forces consist of:
    • Indian Army: Responsible for land-based operations.
    • Indian Navy: For protecting maritime interests.
    • Indian Air Force: For providing aerial defense.
  • These uniformed services are supported by the Indian Coast Guard, paramilitary forces, and other organizations.
  • The President of India is the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
  • The Cabinet is responsible for national defense, which is carried out through the Ministry of Defence, providing the policy and resources for the Armed Forces to defend the country.
  • The Government of India is responsible for defending India and its territories.
• Indian Army:
  • The Indian Army, or Bhartiya Thal Sena, is the land-based component of India's armed forces, tracing its origins to the armed forces of the East India Company.
  • It evolved into the British Indian Army and subsequently the Indian Army after independence.
    • Leadership: The Indian Army is commanded by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
    • Size and Ranking: It is recognized as the second-largest active army in the world.
    • Mission: The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security by defending India's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and harmony against external aggression and threats.
    • Humanitarian Role: In addition to its defense responsibilities, the Indian Army also provides humanitarian support and aid during natural disasters and emergencies.
• The Para Commandos are the most well-known of the Indian Army's special forces, undertaking operations behind enemy lines, anti-terrorist and counterinsurgency missions, as well as rescue operations during natural disasters.
• Indian Navy:
  • The Indian Navy is a well-balanced and cohesive three-dimensional force capable of operating above, on, and below the ocean surface, effectively safeguarding national interests.
    • Leadership: The Navy is commanded by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) from the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy), assisted by the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) and three Principal Staff Officers: the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), the Chief of Personnel (COP), and the Chief of Material (COM).
    • Commands: The Navy has three primary commands:
      • Western Naval Command (Mumbai) - Operational Command for the Arabian Sea.
      • Eastern Naval Command (Visakhapatnam) - Operational Command for the Bay of Bengal.
      • Southern Naval Command (Kochi) - Training Command.
    • Fleets and Flotillas: The Navy’s operational capability is enhanced by two main fleets: the Western Fleet based in Mumbai and the Eastern Fleet based in Visakhapatnam. There are also flotillas stationed in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Port Blair for local naval defense.
    • Naval Presence: Naval ships are stationed along the east and west coasts and island territories, ensuring a sustained naval presence in critical areas.
    • Andaman & Nicobar Command: The defense of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a joint responsibility of all three armed services, coordinated by the Andaman & Nicobar Command in Port Blair, which is the only tri-service command in the Indian Armed Forces, led by a Commander-in-Chief appointed in rotation.
    • Lakshadweep Islands: Local naval defense of the Lakshadweep Islands is managed by the Naval Officer-in-Charge, Lakshadweep.
  • The Marine Commando Force (MCF), also known as MARCOS, is a Special Forces unit of the Indian Navy that specializes in anti-terrorism, anti-piracy, and other special operations.
• Indian Airforce:
  • The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 and is the 4th largest air force in the world after the US, Russia and China.
  • Its primary responsibility is to secure the Indian airspace and conduct aerial warfare during conflicts.
  • It has participated in many United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions.
  • The Chief of Air Staff (an Air Marshal) is the commander of the air forces in India.
  • The Garud Commando Force is the special forces unit of the Indian Air Force, engaged in airfield protection, suppression of enemy air defense, search and rescue, and humanitarian aid.

What is the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?

• About:
  • The position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was recommended in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) reviewing the Kargil Review Committee's report.
  • To prepare for this role, the Integrated Defence Staff was established in 2002. The CDS post was officially created in 2019 following recommendations from a defense expert committee led by Lt General DB Shekatkar, with General Bipin Rawat serving as the first CDS from December 31, 2019.
• Roles and Responsibilities:
  • The CDS primary role is to enhance operational synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force while minimizing inter-service frictions.
  • He heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), acting as the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister.
  • While service chiefs advise on their respective areas, the CDS prioritizes inter-service procurement and provides directives without command authority over the forces.
• Significance:
  • Synergy: The CDS improves communication and cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, expediting decision-making.
  • Joint Operations: As the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), the CDS focuses on administering tri-service organizations, enhancing operational jointness.
  • Theatre Command: The establishment of the DMA will facilitate joint/theater commands, with the CDS overseeing deployment across land, sea, and air.
  • Nuclear Command: The CDS will play a key role in the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) and oversee the Strategic Forces Command, enhancing India’s nuclear deterrence.
  • Resource Prioritization: The CDS will prioritize capital acquisition proposals amid shrinking defense budgets.

What are the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)?

• About:
  • The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are a group of seven armed police organizations that were formerly known as the Paramilitary Forces.
• Forces Under CAPFs:
  • Assam Rifles (AR)
  • Border Security Force (BSF)
  • Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
  • Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
  • Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
  • National Security Guard (NSG)
  • Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
• Administration:
  • While these forces function under the administrative oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the operational control of the Assam Rifles lies with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
  • All CAPFs are led by officers of the rank of Director General of Police (DGP).
• Organization of CAPF:
  • Border Guarding Forces:
    • Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) are designated as border guarding forces.
  • Special Operations:
    • National Security Guard (NSG) functions as a specialized commando unit for high-stakes operations.
    • Special Protection Group (SPG) for providing proximate security to the Prime Minister (PM) and former PM and their immediate family members.
  • Internal Security:
    • Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is responsible for securing industrial facilities and critical installations.
    • Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) supports civil authorities in maintaining law and order, tackling internal security challenges, and engaging in counterinsurgency operations.
• Assam Rifles (AR):
  • About:
    • The Assam Rifles is one of the oldest Central Paramilitary Forces in India.
    • It was established in 1835 as the ‘Cachar Levy’ to protect British tea estates from tribal raids.
    • It played a pivotal role in opening the Assam region to administration and commerce, earning the designation of the “right arm of the civil and left arm of the military.”
  • Current Deployment:
    • The force maintains two battalions in Jammu and Kashmir and has a National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) battalion actively engaged in responding to natural calamities.
    • Additionally, the inclusion of the Riflewomen Team of the Assam Rifles in UN peacekeeping missions reflects India's commitment to social and humanitarian efforts on the global stage.
  • Major Post-Independence Roles:
    • Engaged in conventional combat during the Sino-India War of 1962.
    • Participated in international operations as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in 1987 (Operation Pawan).
    • Played a peacekeeping role in the northeastern regions of India.
  • Dual Control:
    • Assam Rifles is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure, where the administrative control is with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the operational control is with the Indian Army under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Border Security Force (BSF)
  • About:
    • The Border Security Force (BSF) is a paramilitary force established in India in 1965 primarily for guarding the country's land borders and maintaining peace and security in border areas.
  • Responsibilities:
    • Peacetime Responsibilities:
      • Promoting Security: Fostering a sense of security among communities in border regions.
      • Preventing Cross-Border Crimes: Thwarting unauthorized entry into or exit from Indian territory.
      • Combating Smuggling: Preventing smuggling and other illicit activities along the border.
    • Wartime Responsibilities:
      • Holding Ground: Maintaining positions in less threatened sectors to allow the Army to focus on offensive operations. BSF units may remain deployed in specific areas unless a major attack occurs.
      • Protection of Vital Installations: Safeguarding critical infrastructure, such as airfields, against enemy attacks.
      • Limited Aggressive Actions: Conducting limited offensive operations against the enemy's irregular forces, in line with broader military strategies.
      • Intelligence and Raids: Executing special intelligence-related tasks, including raids, as assigned by the Army based on operational needs.
      • Local Guidance: Serving as guides in familiar areas to aid in navigation.
      • Law and Order Maintenance: Upholding law and order in areas under Army control, supplementing civil police efforts when necessary.
      • Providing Escorts: Offering escort services in various operations.
      • Guarding POWs: Securing prisoner of war camps.
      • Refugee Control: Assisting with the management of refugees, utilizing civil police and local forces when available.
      • Anti-Infiltration Duties: Conducting operations to prevent infiltration in specified regions, with specific responsibilities still being defined.
      • Joint Operations: The BSF often collaborates with other military and paramilitary forces for joint operations, especially during heightened security situations.
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
  • About:
    • The ITBP was established on 24^th October, 1962.
    • It is responsible for guarding the Indo-Tibetan border and the mountainous regions of the 3,488 km long India-China border, monitoring the northern borders of India.
    • In 2004, the ITBP replaced the Assam Rifles in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The force secures the Indo-China border across the following states:
      • Jammu & Kashmir
      • Himachal Pradesh
      • Uttarakhand
      • Sikkim
      • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Responsibilities:
    • ITBP plays a crucial role in detecting and preventing border violations, as well as monitoring illegal immigration and trans-border smuggling.
    • Additionally, it has participated in various United Nations peacekeeping missions in countries such as Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Haiti, Western Sahara, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Afghanistan, and Sudan.
    • ITBP conducts relief and rescue operations as 'First Responders' for natural calamities in the Himalayan region, responding in hundreds of search, rescue & relief operations over the years to provide succor to thousands of citizens in distress due to various calamities.
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
  • About:
    • Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was established as the Special Service Bureau in May 1963 in response to the Chinese aggression of 1962.
    • It came under the Ministry of Home Affairs in January 2001 and was designated as the Lead Intelligence Agency for the Indo-Nepal border in June 2001, later expanding to the Indo-Bhutan border in March 2004.
    • The SSB received the President’s Colors in recognition of its vital role in national security.
  • Responsibilities:
    • The SSB aims to promote security in border areas, prevent trans-border crimes and unauthorized entry or exit, and combat smuggling.
    • Its personnel are empowered under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 to carry out these duties effectively.
  • Community Engagement:
    • SSB actively engages with communities in 78,000 villages across 15 border states, earning the title of a "Peoples Force."
    • This engagement has fostered proactive citizenship and involvement in national security.
  • Historical Contributions:
    • The SSB has played a significant role in various national efforts, including the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, disaster relief during the 1968 floods in North Bengal, and the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operations in Sri Lanka in 1987.
    • Its contributions extend to internal security operations, election duties, and providing specialized training for intelligence agencies.
    • It has been involved in disaster relief during major calamities, establishing its reputation among paramilitary forces.

Which Security Forces are Responsible for Special Operations in India?

• National Security Guards (NSG)
  • About:
    • The National Security Guard (NSG) was created in 1984 as a federal contingency force to tackle terrorism.
    • Its mission is to train, equip, and keep in readiness a special force capable of swiftly and effectively combating terrorism, living up to its motto 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha'.
  • Structure:
    • It was modeled on the Special Air Service (SAS) of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany, with two complementary elements - the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG) comprising personnel from Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces.
  • Roles:
    • The NSG commandos are tasked with neutralizing terrorist threats, handling hijack situations (both in air and on land), and engaging terrorists in high-risk scenarios.
    • Their roles include bomb disposal (detection and neutralization of IEDs), conducting Post Blast Investigations (PBI), and rescuing hostages in kidnap situations.
    • Additionally, NSG commandos are trained for specialized operations in counter-terrorism, counter-hijacking, and bomb disposal, and they provide ‘close protection’ to designated high-risk individuals.
    • They played a crucial role in countering the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
• Special Protection Group (SPG):
  • It was established in 1985 to provide security cover to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers, and their immediate family members.
  • It was created after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Parliament passed the SPG Act, 1988 dedicating the group to protecting the PM of India.
  • After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination (1991), the SPG Act was amended, offering SPG protection to all former Prime Ministers and their families for a period of at least 10 years.
  • SPG officers are known for their high leadership qualities, professionalism, and knowledge of proximate security.
  • They work in collaboration with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and State/ UT police forces to enhance overall security arrangements.
• Indian Coast Guard:
  • About:
    • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was established as an independent Armed Force in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978.
    • It was established after the India-Pakistan war 1978 based on the recommendations of the Rustamji Committee, which envisioned a multi-dimensional coast guard force.
    • It operates through five regional headquarters across India for effective maritime command.
    • It plays a critical role in securing India's maritime zones under the Ministry of Defence.
  • Roles:
    • Maritime Law Enforcement: The ICG monitors and prevents smuggling through India's maritime routes, exercising jurisdiction over territorial waters, contiguous zones, and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
    • Environmental Protection: It is responsible for marine environment protection, including coordination for oil spill responses within Indian waters.
    • Aid to Civil Authority: The ICG assists civil authorities during floods, cyclones, and other natural calamities, most recently in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.
    • Maritime Security: Working with neighboring countries, the ICG addresses transnational maritime crimes and promotes maritime safety in the Indian Ocean Region under policies like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Neighbourhood First.
    • Disaster Management: It is known as the "First Responder" in the region, the ICG has averted major ecological disasters through operations like ‘Sagar Aaraksha-II’ during the MV X-Press Pearl incident off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Which Security Forces are Responsible for India's Internal Security?

• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):
  • About:
    • CISF was established in 1969 with an initial three battalions to secure Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).It has expanded to become a multi-skilled security agency safeguarding critical national infrastructure.
  • Core Responsibilities:
    • Protects nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, and power plants.
    • Secures key government buildings, Delhi Metro, Parliament House Complex, and central jails in Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Safeguards iconic heritage monuments.
    • Provides fire services to 115 establishments under its security cover.
    • It provides VIP Security by operating a specialized unit offering 24/7 security to important protectees.
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):
  • About:
    • CRPF is one of India’s premier Central Armed Police Forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
    • It plays a critical role in maintaining internal security.
  • Historical Background:
    • Initially formed in 1939 as the Crown Representative Police, the CRPF is one of India’s oldest paramilitary forces.
    • It was renamed as the Central Reserve Police Force through an Act of Parliament in 1949, following Independence.
    • It contributed to integrating princely states into the Indian Union post-Independence, particularly in Junagarh and Kathiawar in Gujarat, aiding in bringing these territories into the fold of the Indian Union.
  • Responsibilities:
    • Crowd and riot control
    • Counter-militancy and insurgency operations
    • Managing Left-Wing Extremism
    • Providing VIP and vital installation security
    • Environmental protection, including flora and fauna preservation
    • Combat roles during wartime
    • Participation in UN peacekeeping missions
    • Rescue and relief operations during natural disasters.