Paramilitary Forces & Security Agencies
India's internal security architecture comprises Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and national intelligence bodies. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF, established in 1939 as Crown Representative's Police) is India's largest CAPF, specializing in internal security and counter-insurgency. Border-guarding forces include the Border Security Force (BSF, guarding Pakistan and Bangladesh borders), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP, guarding the China border), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB, guarding Nepal and Bhutan borders). The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) protects critical infrastructure, airports, and industrial installations, while the National Security Guard (NSG, 'Black Cats') serves as the premier counter-terrorist strike force. External intelligence is managed by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW, founded in 1968 under R. N. Kao), while the Intelligence Bureau (IB) oversees domestic intelligence.
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is India's largest Central Armed Police Force, raised in 1939 as the Crown Representative's Police.
- The Border Security Force (BSF) was raised on 1 December 1965 following the Indo-Pak war to secure India's international borders.
- The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was raised in 1962 to guard the high-altitude Himalayan border with the Tibet Autonomous Region.
- The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was established in 1968 under first chief Rameshwar Nath Kao to manage foreign intelligence.
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was created in 2008 following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks as the central counter-terrorism law agency.