Chapter 6 · Topic 6.1 · Prelims + Mains1 of 2
Security Forces & Agencies: Forces and agencies
Key points
- CAPFs and Home Guards.
- Intelligence and investigation agencies.
Prelims box: facts and traps
| Force | Raised |
|---|---|
| Assam Rifles | 1835 |
| CRPF | 1939 |
| ITBP | 1962 |
| SSB | 1963 |
| BSF | 1965 |
| CISF | 1969 |
| NSG | 1984. |
- UPSC Prelims 2023 asked about Home Guards, stating: Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government.
- Roles: IB collects internal intelligence and runs the Multi-Agency Centre that shares alerts; R&AW watches external threats; NIA investigates and prosecutes terror cases; the Enforcement Directorate and FIU-IND follow the money.
- Police is a State subject, but the Union keeps Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs to help States and guard borders.
- Trap (UPSC Prelims 2023, Home Guards): “Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government” is incorrect. “The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security” is incorrect. “To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States” is incorrect.
- Trap: That statement is wrong: Home Guards are raised under State Home Guards Acts and Rules.
Central Armed Police Forces
Police is a State subject, but the Union keeps Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs to help States and guard borders. The Army is called in only as a last resort, through ‘aid to civil authority’.
| Force | Raised | Main role |
|---|---|---|
| Assam Rifles | 1835 | Myanmar border; counter-insurgency in North-East (Army operational control) |
| CRPF | 1939 | Internal security, counter-LWE, riots (Rapid Action Force) |
| ITBP | 1962 | China border |
| SSB | 1963 | Nepal and Bhutan borders |
| BSF | 1965 | Pakistan and Bangladesh borders |
| CISF | 1969 | Airports, ports, industries, metros |
| NSG | 1984 | Counter-terror and hijack strike force |
Ministry of Home Affairs.
UPSC Prelims 2023 asked about Home Guards, stating: Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. That statement is wrong: Home Guards are raised under State Home Guards Acts and Rules. The other two statements are correct: they are an auxiliary force to the police in maintaining internal security, and Border Wing Home Guards battalions have been raised in some States to help prevent infiltration. Answer: only two (b).
With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: (b) · UPSC official key
Intelligence and investigation agencies
| Agency | Set up | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Bureau (IB) | 1887 | Internal intelligence; hosts Multi- Agency Centre |
| Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) | 1968 | External intelligence |
| Defence Intelligence Agency | 2002 | Military intelligence coordination |
| NTRO | 2004 | Technical intelligence |
| National Investigation Agency (NIA) | 2008 | Probes terror and scheduled offences across States |
| NATGRID | After 2008 | Links government databases for agencies |
Mains 2023 asked: What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.
Challenges: cross-border terror, LWE remnants, North-East insurgency, cyber attacks, narco-terror and radicalisation. Roles: IB collects internal intelligence and runs the Multi-Agency Centre that shares alerts; R&AW watches external threats; NIA investigates and prosecutes terror cases; the Enforcement Directorate and FIU-IND follow the money; NCB tackles drugs; CERT-In handles cyber incidents.
What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Challenges: cross-border terror, LWE remnants, North-East insurgency, cyber attacks, narco-terror and radicalisation.
- The Army is called in only as a last resort, through 'aid to civil authority'.
- Likely next angle: Home Guards: State law
- Asked: Mains 2023 (GS Paper III, 15 marks): What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.
Practice
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Security Forces & Agencies with one recent example.
Flashcards (12)
Oldest CAPF?
Assam Rifles (1835).
CRPF raised?
1939.
BSF raised?
1965.
CISF guards?
Airports, ports, industries.
NSG raised?
1984.
Home Guards raised under?
State Home Guards Acts.
Assam Rifles operational control?
Army.
IB founded?
1887.
R&AW founded?
1968.
NIA founded?
2008.
NTRO?
2004, technical intelligence.
MAC hosted by?
Intelligence Bureau.
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Next topic · 6.2 →Security Forces & Agencies: AFSPA and UAPA debatesSyllabus: GS-III · Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.