National Security Guard (NSG)

National Security Guard (NSG) was set up in 1984 as a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country. It was raised to a special force by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986. NSG is an elite force, working completely within the Central Armed Police Forces structure. It is one of the finest counter terrorist units in the world performing a variety of roles from counter-terrorism to hostage rescue to VIP protection. NSG is a task-oriented force, modeled on the pattern of the SAS of UK and GSG-9 of Germany and has two complementary elements in the form of Special Action Group (SAG) and Special Ranger Groups (SRG). SAG, the offensive wing comprise of army personnel and SRG consists of members from Central Paramilitary Forces (CPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) such as the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State Police forces. The primary function of the SRG is to play a supportive role to the SAG, especially in isolating target areas. The task of providing VVIP security for high-risk VVIPs in India is done by the SRG of the NSG. The smallest combat unit in the NSGs counter-terrorist operations is known as hit which comprises five members - two pairs, or partners and a technical support member. Four hits make a team which is under the command of a Captain. The number of hits used for an intervention job depends on its complexity and the magnitude of the operation. The NSG operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs and is headed by the Director General of the Indian Police Service (IPS). NSG members/ commandos are popularly known as Black Cats because of the black drill cotton coveralls and balaclavas or helmets they wear. The specific goal of NSG commandos include : • Neutralisation of specific terrorist threats • Handling hijacking situations in the air and on the land. • Engaging and neutralising terrorists in specific situations. • Bomb disposal (search, detection and neutralisation of IEDs) • Post Blast Investigation (PBI) • Rescue of hostages in kidnap situations NSG is specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore, to be used only in exceptional situations. The Force is not designed to undertake the functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces of the Union of India. The motto of NSG is - One for All, All for One. How to Join in NSG Requirements for Deputation to NSG A candidate cannot enter directly to National Security Guard force. Since NSG is a deputation force, there is no direct recruitment. The recruitment for NSG Commandos are generally done from existing defence forces. So in order to be eligible to become a National Security Guard, one has to be a soldier or a member/ trainee of a military or para-military force. Only those with excellent performances are considered for NSG. Besides, they should not have any red-ink entry, no criminal record and have no punishment record in the last three years of service. Ranks in the NSG range from junior commissioned officer to team commander. Aspirants for Entry-level positions are required to be less than 30 years old and should have a minimum of 2 years in the defence service. There are also several physical and psychological tests to assess suitability in NSG. Ranks in the Army and Central Police organisations from which the NSG candidates are deputed are given below: Army JCO Junior Commissioned Officer NCO Non Commissioned Officer OR Other Ranks CE* Certificate Education ACR* Annual Confidential Report Central Police Organisations (CPOs) SO Subordinate Officer UO Under Officer Insp Inspector Sub Insp Sub Inspector Consts Constables