Paramilitary Forces

The defence services of the country are responsible for the guarding our national boundaries from external aggression.However for internal security, as also for providing additional support to the defence forces in guarding the national frontiers, paramilitary services viz., CRPF, BSF, ITBP and CISF had been constituted many decades ago.Each of these units plays a well-defined role besides coming to the nation's rescue at times of national calamities and emergencies.

Indian Paramilitary Forces are the agencies of the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Home Affairs which act as armed forces auxiliaries and are considered part of the Indian Armed Forces.The Indian Paramilitary Forces (PMF) are second largest (Second only to the Chinese People's Armed Police with 1.5 million personnel) and most formidable paramilitary force in the world.

Classification

Paramilitary personnel are responsible for maintaining internal security aspects and help the defense in guarding the porous national border. The services related to the paramilitary forces come under the purview of central government. The Paramilitary forces have been classified according to their roles and well defined services for the nation. They are:

• Assam Rifles
• Border Security Force
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police
• Special Frontier Force
• Central Reserve Police Force
• Central Industrial Security Force
• National Security Guard

Each force plays a well-defined role besides coming to the nation’s rescue at times of national calamities. The forces viz., CRPF, BSF, ITBP and CISF are the major players in providing internal security to the nation. Another paramilitary outfit, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is deployed along the Indo-Nepal border.

CRPF

CRPF stands for Central Reserve Police Force. The primary responsibility of the Force is to help states in management of internal security and riot control. Rapid Action Force is a specialised wing of CRPF, which was especially raised for countering terrorism and insurgency in 1992. The force has the distinction of having two exclusive 'Mahilla' i.e. women battalions.

BSF

BSF stands Border Security Force. As the name suggests the main area of work for this force is near the borders of the country. During peacetime they check trans-border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India, prevent smuggling and activities promote a sense of security amongst the people living in the border areas. During the times of war BSF is deployed at vital installations to protect them from enemy attack and also at lesser-threatened sectors.

ITBP

ITBP stands for Indo-Tibetan Border Police. This force was established mainly for the protection and safeguarding our border areas adjoining Tibet. However now they are also deployed for internal security duties like providing security cover to VIPs. Strength wise it is a much smaller force than CRPF and BSF.

CISF

CISF stands for Central Industrial Security Force. This force was raised to provide security to industrial establishments and handling labour unrest. However recently they have also been handed over the responsibility to provide security cover to some of the major airports in the country and other such duties related to internal security. The force has also geared itself to provide consultancy services in the area of security cover of industrial establishments.

Paramilitary Forces Eligibility Criteria

Graduates from any stream, who can pass the written test as well as the physical fitness criteria, are all welcome to join in. The forces take in candidates at the Sub-Inspector level, wherein the academic eligibility is not very high, but the physical fitness is given more emphasis. Similarly, there are vacancies for technical graduates, education officers, medical officers, and other specialists.

Apart from this, candidates who have just completed Class X or XII can apply for the post of a jawan. There are different requirements in the four distinct levels at which recruitment takes place — jawans, technical personnel (like radio operators), sub-inspectors and finally, officers (the highest rank being assistant commandant).

While for the jawans, meeting the physical fitness criteria of height, weight and chest-size is very important (they also have to appear for a written test on general knowledge), at the officer level there is a full-fledged written exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and an interview.

The age limit for applicants is a minimum of 18 years and maximum of 26 years, which is relaxable for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Vacancies are announced regularly in the electronic and print media.

Paramilitary Forces Career Prospects

Young, energetic and adventurous individuals are always attracted to a career in the paramilitary forces. A career in para-military forces gives prestige as well as honour to the person associated with a particular job.

Once you are selected, the training takes place according to the specific paramilitary organisation that you have entered. Women can also enter the paramilitary services, but the scope for them is limited.

The opportunities available in Para-military forces are many. With the growing concern for domestic security, their services have also been required in a wide range of areas. They already play anti-terrorist and counter-insurgency roles but they can also be brought in to crush communal disharmony and to maintain the security and integrity of the country in times of discord

So if you are really interested for a daring career to serve the country, then the paramilitary could be the best career of your choice.

Paramilitary Forces Pay Packages

The perks and allowances make the paramilitary forces a very lucrative career option. Salary structures vary depending on the rank and force. The basic starting salary at the officer level is approximately Rs 8,000, though the gross works out to be around Rs 15,000 to Rs.16, 000, not including perks such as free ration, travel and medical allowance, etc. For jawans the starting basic salary can be around Rs.3, 050, the gross being close to Rs.6, 000, excluding uniform, ration allowance, travel and medical allowance.

Apart from monthly salary and allowances, outstanding and exclusive training - from horseback riding to training in the various styles of self-defence - that anyone who joins the paramilitary forces receives. These make the Para-military services a much sought-after profession. 

The defence services of the country are responsible for the guarding our national boundaries from external aggression.However for internal security, as also for providing additional support to the defence forces in guarding the national frontiers, paramilitary services viz., CRPF, BSF, ITBP and CISF had been constituted many decades ago.Each of these units plays a well-defined role besides coming to the nation's rescue at times of national calamities and emergencies.

Indian Paramilitary Forces are the agencies of the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Home Affairs which act as armed forces auxiliaries and are considered part of the Indian Armed Forces.The Indian Paramilitary Forces (PMF) are second largest (Second only to the Chinese People's Armed Police with 1.5 million personnel) and most formidable paramilitary force in the world.