Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)

Why in News?

The Delhi High Court (HC) has sought the Central Government’s response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Border Security Force (BSF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sanjay Yadav, alleging misuse of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel for domestic work of senior officers, despite a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) 2016 order prohibiting such practices.

Description:

• CAPF = collective term for 7 central police forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Earlier called Central Para-Military Forces (CPMFs); renamed CAPFs in 2011 (to drop “paramilitary”).
• Primary roles: internal security, border guarding, counter-insurgency, disaster response, and protection of critical infrastructure.
• Each CAPF has its own cadre but is headed by IPS officers on deputation.

Seven CAPFs & Their Roles:

1. Assam Rifles (AR):
   1. Oldest paramilitary force.
   1. Guards Indo–Myanmar border (1,643 km).
   1. Dual control: Admin – MHA, Operational – Indian Army.
   1. Nicknames: Sentinels of the North East, Friends of the Hill People.
2. Border Security Force (BSF):
   1. Guards Indo-Pak & Indo-Bangladesh borders, also deployed on LoC.
   1. World’s largest border guarding force.
   1. Wings: Air, Marine, Artillery, Commandos.
   1. Called First Line of Defence of Indian Territories.
3. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):
   1. Established 1969.
   1. Provides security to PSUs, airports, ports, nuclear & space installations, metros, power plants.
4. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):
   1. Largest CAPF.
   1. Role: Aid to states in law & order, counter-insurgency, elections.
   1. Special units:
      1. RAF – Rapid Action Force (anti-riot, sectarian violence).
      1. CoBRA – Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (anti-Naxal).
   1. Origin: Crown Representative’s Police (1939).
5. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP):
   1. Raised in 1962 after the Sino-Indian war.
   1. Guards the Indo-China border (3,488 km) from Ladakh to Arunachal.
   1. Specialized mountain force, skilled in mountaineering & skiing.
6. National Security Guard (NSG):
   1. Raised 1984 (NSG Act, 1986) after Operation Blue Star.
   1. Elite counter-terrorism & anti-hijack unit.
   1. Nickname: Black Cats.
7. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB):
   1. Raised as Special Service Bureau (1963) post Sino-Indian war.
   1. Guards Indo–Nepal & Indo–Bhutan borders.

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