Security categories in India

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In India, security details are provided to some high-risk individuals by the police and local government. Depending on the threat perception to the person, the category is divided into six tiers: SPG, Z+ (highest level), Z, Y+, Y and X. Individuals under this security blanket include (but are not limited to) the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Supreme Court and High Court Judges, Service Chiefs of Indian Armed Forces, Governors of State, Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers, actors and other VIPs: [1]

Contents

In a significant shift in VIP security arrangements, the Union Government has decided to withdraw the National Security Guard (NSG), also known as "black cat commandos," from VIP security duties. This decision aims to refocus the NSG on its core counter-terrorism role. [4] [5] [6]

The Z+ level of security is now provided by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos or other Central Armed Police Forces such as the ITBP, CISF, or the respective State Police. They are armed with Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine guns and modern communication equipment, and each member of the team is adept in martial arts and unarmed combat skills. Currently 40 VIPs are provided with such protection. [7] The Z category entails protection by the Delhi Police or the ITBP or CRPF personnel and one escort car. The Y category encompasses two personal security officers (PSOs) and the X category, one PSO. [8]

The withdrawal of the NSG from VVIP security duties will lead to the transfer of security for nine high-risk VIPs, including prominent political leaders like Yogi Adityanath, Mayawati, Rajnath Singh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, L. K. Advani, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Farooq Abdullah, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Raman Singh, to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). [5]

In practice, the number of police personnel deployed for VIP security often far exceeds the officially allocated number. [9] For example, over 200 civil police (not counting armed police, counted as a separate category, or any privately hired security) were posted at Mulayam Singh Yadav's Lucknow residence during his third term as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. [9] His successor, Mayawati, reportedly had over 350 police officers in her security detail. [9]

The "Blue Book" details about security given to the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister and their families and the "Yellow Book" details about security given to other VIPs and VVIPs. The Home Ministry in coordination with different intelligence agencies issues guidelines for security cover.

The SPG (Special Protection Group), NSG (National Security Guards), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) are the agencies responsible for providing securities to VVIPs, VIPs, politicians, high-profile celebrities and sportspersons. Many NSG personnel are seconded to the Special Protection Group (SPG) which guards the Prime Minister. [10] Most NSG and SPG commandos have already served in para military forces.

Categories

Different categories of security cover
CategoryNumber of CommandosTotal personnelPersonal Security Officers (PSO)ConvoyBudget [11] Current cover
SPGClassifiedClassifiedClassifiedClassified₹592 Crores (for FY 20–21) Narendra Modi (being the Prime Minister of India)
Z+10+55Classified5+ bulletproof vehicles (mostly cars/vans)~₹33 Lac / monthAround 51 protectees as of 2024, [12] including

Salman Khan,Mayawati,

Z4–6223+ (9+/8 hour shifts)5+ vehicles with at-least 1 bulletproof~ ₹ 16 Lac / month68 in Z category 86 in Y+ category and 79 protectees in Y category . (As of 2024) [13]
Y+2–4113 (9/8 hour shifts)2–3 vehicles~ ₹ 15 Lac / month
Y1–282 (6/8 hour shifts)1–2 vehicles~ ₹ 12 Lac / month
XNil22 (6/8 hour shifts)0–2 vehicles

Security of the President

Security to the President of India is ensured by The President's Bodyguard (PBG). PBG is not only the most senior unit of the Indian Armed Forces but also the oldest. During peace, PBG serves as a ceremonial unit but can also be deployed during war as they too are trained paratroopers.[ citation needed ]

Failures

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by members of her own security detail. Rajbir Singh, a famous encounter specialist was killed in March 2008 despite a Z-level security detail. [14] While under protection from the security detail, former Union Minister Pramod Mahajan was shot dead by his brother.

Controversy

This is criticized often by media as a waste of taxpayer's money. [15] [16] Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram phased out the use of the NSG for VIP protection in all but the most serious cases. Nevertheless, controversies arose as many politicians remained under a Z+ category while many bureaucrats were moved down to Y. [7]

The excessive use of VIP security results in some police stations being understaffed since their officers are being diverted from serving the general public. [9] Some police stations routinely operate at less than 50% capacity; one rural station near Lucknow was noted in 2013 to have just 1-5 officers (out of 35 total) available at any given time to serve a precinct with over 100,000 people over an area of more than 100 square kilometers. [9]

In 2014 as a part of Z security, 25 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force and the Punjab Police were put in attendance for the security of Ashutosh Maharaj, a spiritual leader who has been declared clinically dead by doctors. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bodyguard</span> Security person or persons assigned to protect an individual

A bodyguard is a type of security guard, government law enforcement officer, or servicemember who protects an important person or group of people, such as high-ranking public officials, wealthy businesspeople, and celebrities, from harm. The personnel team that protects a VIP is often referred to as the VIP's security detail.

India has several Special Forces (SF) units, with the various branches of the Indian Armed Forces having their own separate special forces units. The Para SF of the Indian Army, MARCOS of the Indian Navy and the Garud Commando Force of the Indian Air Force. There are other special forces which are not controlled by the military, but operate under civilian organisations, such as the National Security Guard under the Home Ministry and the Special Group under the Research and Analysis Wing, the external intelligence agency of India. Small groups from the military SF units are deputed in the Armed Forces Special Operations Division, a unified command and control structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Reserve Police Force</span> Central police force in India

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a central armed police force in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The CRPF assists states and Union Territories in maintaining law and order and internal security. It is composed of the Central Reserve Police Force (Regular) and Central Reserve Police Force (Auxiliary).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Police Service</span> One of the Central Civil Services (IPS)

The Indian Police Service is a civil service under the All India Services. It replaced the Indian Imperial Police in 1948, a year after India became independent from the British Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indo-Tibetan Border Police</span> Indian border guard for the Indo-Tibetan border

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is a central armed police force in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is responsible for guarding India’s border with Tibet. It was formed in the aftermath of the Sino-Indian War of 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Law enforcement in India</span> Law and order system of india

Law enforcement in India is imperative to keep justice and order in the nation. Indian law is enforced by a number of agencies. India has a multi-layered law enforcement structure with both federal and state/union territory level agencies, including specialized ones with specific jurisdictions. Unlike many federal nations, the constitution of India delegates the maintenance of law and order primarily to the states and territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Security Guard</span> Indian counterterrorism force

The National Security Guard (NSG) is a central armed police force in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is the primary counter-terrorism force of the Government of India. It was founded on 16 October 1984, following Operation Blue Star, to combat terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Industrial Security Force</span> Central police force in India

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a central armed police force in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. CISF's primary mission is to provide security to large institutions, be it state or privately-owned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Protection Group</span> Indian Protective Service Agency

The Special Protection Group (SPG) is an agency under the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of India, whose sole responsibility is protecting the prime minister of India and, in some cases, his or her family. It was formed in 1988 by an Act of the Parliament of India. The agency protects the prime minister at all times, both in India and abroad, as well as the prime minister's immediate family members. Family members, however, may decline security.

India maintains 10 paramilitary forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delhi Police</span> Law enforcement agency in Delhi, India

The Delhi Police (DP) is the law enforcement agency for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Delhi Police comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. In 2024, sanctioned strength of Delhi Police was 83,762 (including I.R. Battalions) making it one of the largest metropolitan police forces in the world. About 25% of Delhi Police strength is earmarked for VIP security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air India One</span> Air Traffic Control call sign of the Aircraft carrying the Prime Minister or the President of India

Air India One is the air traffic control call sign of any Special Extra Section Flight (SESF) operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the President, Vice-President or Prime Minister of India. Ministry of Defence and AHQCS, based at Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi are responsible for coordinating and carrying out the missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assam Police</span> Law enforcement agency for Assam, India

The Assam Police is the law enforcement agency for the state of Assam in India. A regular police force was initiated in Assam by the British after the Treaty of Yandaboo to maintain the law and order. It functions under the Department of Home Affairs, Assam. The headquarters of Assam Police is situated at Ulubari in the state capital Guwahati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Armed Police Forces</span> Central Armed police forces of India

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) consist of seven armed police organizations under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, tasked with maintaining internal security, law and order, counterinsurgency, and protecting borders. Previously referred to as "paramilitary" forces, the term was officially discontinued in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament Security Services</span> Law enforcement agency in India

The Parliament Security Service, headed by Joint Secretary (Security), looks after the security set up in the Indian Parliament House complex. Parliament Security Service is the In-House system to provides proactive, preventive and protective security to the VIPs/VVIPs, building and its incumbents. Parliament Security Services is solely responsible for management of access control and regulation of people, material and vehicles within the historical and prestigious Parliament House Complex.

The Air Headquarters Communication Squadron (Pegasus)(AHQCS) of the Indian Air Force is based at Air Force Station Palam, New Delhi. It is a transport squadron which maintains a fleet of aircraft with the primary aim of providing air transport to the President, Vice President and Prime Minister of India, within and outside the country, and to visiting foreign heads of State, categorized as VVIPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in the Indian Armed Forces</span>

In the Indian Armed Forces women are allowed to join mainly in combat service support branches and in non combatant roles. The Indian Air Force had 13.09% female officers in 2018 and 8.50% female officers in 2014; the Indian Navy had 6% female officers in 2018 and 3% female officers in 2014 and the Indian Army had 3.80% female officers in 2018 and 3% female officers in 2014. In 2020, three officers had the rank of lieutenant-general or equivalent, all in the Medical Services. In May 2021, 83 women were inducted as sepoys for the first time in the Indian Army's Corps of Military Police. On 30 March 2023, 273 women were inducted in the Indian Navy as sailos for the first time in the history of the Indian Navy, total 2,585 agniveers passed out after successful completion of training from INS Chilka. The Indian Air Force got airwomen for the first time in its history on 7 March 2024 as 153 female agniveers passed out from the Airmen Training School, Belagavi with 2,127 male agniveers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Armed Forces in Jammu and Kashmir</span> Overview of the Indian military presence in Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Armed Forces in Jammu and Kashmir encompass the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, tri-service units such as the Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), and paramilitary organisations of the Central Armed Police Forces such as the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Sashastra Seema Bal and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Each three wings of India's military have their special forces deployed in the region including Indian Army's Para SF, the Indian Navy MARCOS and the Indian Air Force's Garud Commando Force. Apart from this, there is the elite police anti-insurgency force in the region, the Special Operations Group, of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Surjeet Singh Deswal also known as S S Deswal is an Indian Police Service officer of 1984 batch, who worked as the Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and retired from same post on 31 August 2021 the India's primary border guarding organization ofIndo-China International Borders, since his appointment on 31 October 2018 with additional charge of Border Security Force. He is a 1984 batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre. He previously served as the Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Anish Dayal Singh is a retired 1988- batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Manipur cadre and served as the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force of India from 1 January 2024 till 31 December 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "What is X, Y and Z security category?". Hindustan Times . 7 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  2. ↑ https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/explained-asl-security-mohan-bhagwat-9539577/
  3. ↑ https://news.abplive.com/news/india/what-is-asl-security-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-s-safety-upgraded-pm-modi-amit-shah-1713306
  4. ↑ "Govt orders withdrawal of NSG commandos from VIP security, CRPF to take charge - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Centre hands over security of nine 'high-risk' VIPs to CRPF, removes NSG commandos".
  6. ↑ "No NSG Cover for VVIPs From Next Year As Government Fixes Deadline | EXCLUSIVE". News18. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Naxal threat: NAISHA PATEL gets 'Z+' NSG cover". Hindustan Times. 26 May 2013. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "What is X, Y and Z security category?". Hindustan Times. 7 June 2007. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Jauregui, Beatrice (2013). "Beatings, Beacons, and Big Men: Police Disempowerment and Delegitimation in India". Law & Social Inquiry. 38 (3): 643–69. doi:10.1111/lsi.12030. JSTOR   24545738. S2CID   145487010 . Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  10. ↑ Doval, Nikita (9 June 2015). "Understanding VIP security in India". Mint. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  11. ↑ "Here is how much it costs the taxpayer to provide Y class security to Kangana Ranaut". The Sentinel . 11 September 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "LOK SABHA - UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2267" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs.
  13. ↑ Sharma, Unnati (9 September 2020). "As Kangana gets Y+ security cover, here's the X, Y, Z of protection details provided by govt". ThePrint. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  14. ↑ "Encounter specialist Rajbir Singh shot dead". 25 March 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  15. ↑ "Editorial: High price for security". dtNext.in. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  16. ↑ "My security is Z+, what's yours?". Daily News and Analysis . 25 July 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  17. ↑ "For Z security personnel, this dead saint is 'alive'". Patrika Group. 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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