Central Armed Police Forces

The Central Armed Police Forces are the following eight police forces of the central government of India:

• Central Reserve Police Force: The largest of the Central Armed Police Forces. 300,000 personnel (210+35 battalions)^[1][2] The Central Reserve Police include the Rapid Action Force, a 10 battalion anti-riot force trained to respond to sectarian violence, and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA), a 10,000 strong anti-Naxalite force.^[3]
• Border Security Force (BSF) for manning the land borders of the country, except in the mountains. 215,000 personnel (186 Battalions) ^[4] (Headed by Indian Police Service Officer)
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for manning the border with Tibet in the Himalayas. 73,000 (55 Battalions+18000 personnel^[5]) (Headed by Indian Police Service Officer)
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) for guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan Borders. 86,000 personnel.
• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). 165,000 personnel (132 Battalions)
• Railway Protection Force (RPF) known for protecting the railways of India and ensuring safety of citizens in trains.
• National Security Guards (NSG). 8636 personnel (including 1086 personnel for regional hubs^[6]) , one of most important police organizations in India (Headed by Indian Police Service Officer )
• Special Protection Group (SPG). 3,000 personnel providing protection to the Prime minister.

These forces were frequently referred to as "paramilitary forces" until 2011, when the government gave new official definitions which restricted the use of that term. They are also compared to India’s various State Armed Police Forces.

References