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Home / IAS Preparation / Security Agencies And Forces In India

Security Forces and Agencies In India - Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Force & Its Divisions

Last Updated on Jan 17, 2024
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There are various Internal Security Agencies and Forces In India. They work with an aim to protect and safeguard the country. Internal threat refers to the threat when somebody from within India tries to harm the country. External threat refers to the threat when someone from outside India tries to harm the country. There are different security agencies envisaged with different purposes. Internal security forces constitute paramilitary forces, defence forces and other security agencies. The maintenance of Internal security forces in India is the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Internal Security Forces In India And Mandate is one of the important topics for the UPSC IAS Exam. It covers a significant part of the Internal Security subject in the General Studies paper-3 syllabus and also covers the current events section of the UPSC prelims syllabus. 

In this article, we shall cover in detail the important security agencies in India.

Study in detail about Ranks in the Indian Army, Navy & Air Force here!

About Indian Security Forces

In the year 1776, the Supreme Government of the East India Company established a Military Department in Kolkata. This department’s primary duty was to sort and keep track of instructions related to the army that were given by various Government of East India Company Departments. At first, the Military Department operated as a division of the Public Department and kept a roster of Army troops.

  • With the passing of the Charter Act of 1833, the Secretariat of the Government of the East India Company was divided into four Departments, including a Military Department. Each Department was headed by a Secretary to the Government.
  • The armies of the Presidency of Bengal, Bombay, and Madras functioned as their respective Presidency Armies prior to April 1895, when the Presidency Armies were merged into an unified Indian Army.
  • It was separated into four Commands for administrative ease: Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma), and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden).
  • The Governor General in Council held the ultimate power over the Indian Army, subject to the Control of the Crown, which was exercised by the Secretary of State for India.
  • Two Council members were in charge of military affairs: the Military Member, who oversaw all administrative and budgetary matters, and the Commander-in-Chief, who was in charge of all operational matters.
  • In March 1906, the Army Department and the Military Supply Department were created to take the position of the Military Department.
  • The Army Department took over the Military Supply Department’s responsibilities after it was abolished in April 1909. In January 1938, the Army Department became the Defence Department.
  • In August 1947, the Department of Defense became the Ministry of Defense under a Cabinet Minister.

Know more about the Armed Forces Tribunal!

Key Facts of the Indian Army

  • After the freedom of India from British domination, the Indian Army was put into action. 
  • The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is in charge of all aspects of command, control, and administration. He oversees the Indian Army’s headquarters situated in New Delhi. 
  • The Army is divided into six operational commands (field armies) and one training command. 
  • Each is commanded by a Lieutenant General. He has the same authority as the Vice-Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) and reports to Army Headquarters.

Study in detail about Joint Military Exercises of India here!

Key Facts of the Indian Navy

East India Company established a maritime force which led to the establishment of the Royal Indian Navy in 1934. It finally formed the foundation of the modern Indian Navy (17th century). The Chief of the Naval Staff, an Admiral, is in charge of the Indian Navy’s Headquarters, which is located in New Delhi. The flag officer heads three area commands, deployed under the Indian Navy.

Naval Commands

Location

Southern Naval Command

Kochi, Kerala (Arabian Sea)

Eastern Naval Command

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (Bay of Bengal)

Western Naval Command

Bombay (Arabian Sea)

Know more about the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)!

Key Facts of the Indian Air Force

  • The Indian Air Force was formally established on October 8th, 1932.
  • Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee, a founding member, became the first Indian Chief of Air Staff on April 1st, 1954.
  • Over time, the Indian Air Force introduced more than twenty new types of aircraft in a substantial equipment and aircraft upgrade.
  • In the latter decade of the twentieth century, women were introduced into the Air Force for short service commissions, leading to significant structural changes.
  • During this period, the Indian Air Force conducted some of its most daring and risky operations.

Know more about the Army under British India!

Key Facts of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)

The Armed Police Organizations constitute the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). There are a total of 7 organizations under CAPF and it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi and operates under the Ministry of Defence. The head of CAPF is the Director-General of Police (DGP) ranked officer.

Divisions Of CAPF

There are 7 divisions of CAPF: 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) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The list of security forces in India are given in table below.

Divisions Of CAPF

Sl. No.

Divisions

Features

1

Assam Rifles (AR)

Assam Rifles is a national security forces in india. It was founded in 1835 under a military called militia called the ‘Cachar Levy’.It is the oldest paramilitary force in India. Assam Rifles is also known as ‘Friends of the North East People’. The headquarters of Assam Rifles is located in Shillong, Meghalaya.

2

Border Security Force (BSF)

It is a Border guarding force on its border with Pakistan and Bangladesh. BSF was founded on 1st December 1965 by Khusro Faramurz Rustamji. The headquarters is located in New Delhi.

3

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

CISF is an armed force of the Union established under an Act of Parliament, “Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968. It provides security and protection to industrial undertakings and vital installations. CISF was founded on 10 March 1969. The headquarters is located in New Delhi.

4

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

CRPF is the largest Central Armed Police Force of India. Initially, it was constituted as the Crown Representative Police in 1939, After Independence, it was renamed as Central Reserve Police Force by an Act of Parliament on December 28, 1949.

CRPF is deployed in aid of civil power in matters related to internal security, counter insurgency and maintenance of law and order. The headquarters is located in New Delhi.

5

Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

On October 24, 1962, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Force was established. Currently, the ITBP patrols the 3,488 km long India-China border, which stretches from the Jachep La pass in Arunachal Pradesh to the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh. In addition to these responsibilities, the Force plays a significant part in numerous internal security operations and duties in the state of Chhattisgarh against Left Wing Extremism. The headquarters is located in New Delhi.

6

National Security Guard (NSG)

NSG, also known as black cats, is a national security forces in india. It is a commando-trained force organisation used in special operations. It was founded on 22 September 1986. The headquarters is located in New Delhi.

7

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

SSB is a border guarding force.Following the Chinese assault, Sashastra Seema Bal was founded in May 1963 as the Special Service Bureau (in 1962). The headquarters is located in New Delhi.

Study in detail about Security Categories in India here!

Issues Associated With CAPF

  • Resource Constraints: CAPF forces encounter limitations in funding and equipment availability.
  • Staffing Challenges: There is a need for additional personnel to fulfill operational requirements.
  • Training and Skill Enhancement: Opportunities for training and skill development are limited.
  • Operational Intensity: CAPF forces operate in demanding and challenging situations.
  • Work-Life Balance: Extended duty hours and scarce leave opportunities affect the balance between work and personal life.
  • Welfare and Healthcare: Addressing concerns related to accommodation, healthcare facilities, and pension benefits is crucial for CAPF personnel.
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Other Major Indian Security Agencies

Some of the important security forces in India are listed below.

Intelligence Bureau (IB)

Founded in 1887, the Intelligence Bureau is headquartered in New Delhi. It operates as a counter-intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) 

Established in 1956 and based in New Delhi, the enforcement directorate functions under the Ministry of Finance. It is a multi-disciplinary organization responsible for investigating offenses related to money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws.

Director of Revenue Intelligence

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in New Delhi, this agency is the premier anti-smuggling organization in India. It operates under the Ministry of Finance's Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs. It focuses on combating smuggling of illegal goods, international trade-related fraud, and tax evasion.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Established in 1963 and headquartered in New Delhi. The CBI operates under the Department of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances. It is India's primary investigating police agency.

Research & Analysis Wing (RAW)

Founded in 1968 and based in New Delhi, RAW is India's external intelligence agency. Its primary focus is countering the influence of China and Pakistan in India.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) 

Established in 1986 and headquartered in New Delhi. The NCB serves as the nodal agency for drug law enforcement in India.

National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)

Founded in 1986 in Delhi, NCRB was established based on recommendations to serve as a repository of data on crime and offenders. This helps investigators link crimes to the perpetrators.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

Founded in 2006 and operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. WCCB is a statutory body established to combat wildlife-related crime in India.

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

Established in 2008 and is headquartered in New Delhi. NIA serves as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency of India.

National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)

Established in 2012 and is modeled after the National Counterterrorism Center of the United States. Its mission is to investigate cases related to terrorism.

Know more about the Army Aviation Corps!

Conclusion

We are still in the early phases of developing national policies that involve military strategies and learning about the world. As an economically and technologically more advanced India prepares to participate in the upcoming “Age of Asia,” the need for a modern army will increase. Nations are skilled at sending and interpreting signals in the power play game. In that situation, India’s readiness and its army’s ability to act swiftly will provide the appropriate reactions that other people will find noteworthy. The army, therefore, anticipates that the current administration will establish policy guidelines and establish dynamic organisations and mechanisms to support all of its endeavours.

Internal Security Forces In India and their Mandate UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions

Q 1. Analyse internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including the Line of Control (LoC). Also, discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (UPSC 2020)

Q 2. The cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges. (UPSC 2019)

Q 3 How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar? (UPSC 2013)

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More Articles for IAS Preparation

Internal Security Forces In India and their Mandate FAQs

There are 3 Indian Armed forces in India: the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force.

There are 7 divisions of Central Armed Police Forces: 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) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the principal investigative police agency in India. It is entrusted with domestic security and was founded in 1941 as the Special Police Establishment.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is India's external intelligence agency whereas Intelligence Bureau (IB) is the domestic intelligence agency responsible for overall internal security.

Some of the internal security threats in India are terrorism, small arms proliferation, narcotics and drugs, voids in energy requirements and information warfare.
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