Internal Security & Disaster Management
Security Forces and Agencies
GS Paper III
Security Forces and Agencies — Quick Revision
One-page UPSC revision of security forces and agencies: the seven CAPFs, intelligence and investigation agencies, the CDS, the NSC system and police reform.
SyllabusGS III · Various security forces and agencies and their mandate
The security architecture on one page: who, under whom, since when, for what.
CAPFs (Ministry of Home Affairs)
| Force | Raised | Mandate | Remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assam Rifles | 1835 | Myanmar border; North-East CI ops | Oldest; dual control (MHA admin, Army ops) |
| CRPF | 1939 | Internal security, LWE, elections | Largest; RAF (1992), CoBRA (2008) |
| ITBP | 1962 | China border | High-altitude specialist |
| SSB | 1963 | Nepal (2001), Bhutan (2004) borders | Renamed Sashastra Seema Bal in 2003 |
| BSF | 1965 | Pakistan, Bangladesh borders | Army’s operational control on LoC |
| CISF | 1969 | PSUs, airports, metros, key buildings | Consultancy to private sector |
| NSG | 1984 | Counter-terror, counter-hijack | NSG Act 1986; “Black Cats” |
Intelligence and Investigation
| Agency | Year | Under | Statutory? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB | 1887 origins | MHA | No |
| R&AW | 1968 | Cabinet Secretariat | No |
| DIA | 2002 | MoD | No |
| NTRO | 2004 | NSA | No |
| CBI | 1963 | DoPT | Powers from DSPE Act, 1946 |
| NCB | 1986 | MHA | Under NDPS Act, 1985 |
| NIA | 2008 | MHA | Yes — NIA Act, 2008 |
| ED | 1956 origins | Dept of Revenue | Enforces PMLA, FEMA, FEOA |
| DRI | 1957 | Dept of Revenue (CBIC) | Customs laws |
High-yield facts
- CDS from 1 January 2020: heads the Department of Military Affairs; Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee; does not exercise military command over the service chiefs.
- NSC — 1998, chaired by the Prime Minister; NSA heads the NSCS.
- CBI needs State consent (Section 6, DSPE Act); the NIA does not.
- Coast Guard is under the MoD, not a CAPF.
- NCTC (proposed 2012) was never set up.
Reports and Committees
| Body | Year | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Kargil Review Committee (K. Subrahmanyam) | 1999 | Intelligence and security gaps |
| Group of Ministers | 2001 | DIA, NTRO, MAC, “one border one force” |
| Padmanabhaiah Committee | 2000 | Police reforms |
| Model Police Act (Soli Sorabjee committee) | 2006 | Draft replacement for the Police Act, 1861 |
| 2nd ARC 5th Report — Public Order | 2007 | Police and public order reforms |
| Naresh Chandra Task Force | 2012 | Higher defence management |
| Shekatkar Committee | 2016 | Combat capability; supported a CDS |
Prakash Singh (2006) — Seven Directions
- State Security Commission
- DGP from UPSC panel; two-year minimum tenure
- Two-year tenure for IGs, SPs, SHOs
- Separate investigation from law and order
- Police Establishment Board
- Police Complaints Authority (State and district)
- National Security Commission (for CAPF chiefs)
Traps
- Assam Rifles: MHA + Army, not MoD alone.
- R&AW: Cabinet Secretariat.
- Police and public order: State List (Entries 1 and 2).
Related Topics
- Security Forces, Intelligence Agencies and Their Mandates
- Security Forces and Agencies — practice questions
- Border Management
- Federalism and Centre-State Relations
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