National Security Guard

Published on 07 Feb 2025

The National Security Guard, formalised under the National Security Guard Act, of 1986, is a counter terrorism unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Their main function include:

• Counter terrorism operation: The NSG is primarily responsible for neutralizing terrorist threats and conducting counter-terrorism operations in high-risk situations.

• Example: Operation Black Tornado against Mumbai terror attack.

• Example: NSG played a crucial role in reducing the impact of the 2013 Patna bombing by defusing three improvised explosive devices.

• Hostage rescue: The NSG specializes in hostage rescue operations, where its highly trained personnel work to safely rescue hostages from dangerous situations.

• Example: In 1999, the NSG commandos ended a 30-hour standoff by killing the terrorist and freeing 12 hostages in Kashmir.

• Anti-hijacking operation: The NSG is trained to respond to aircraft hijackings and secure hijacked aircraft, passengers, and crew members.

• Example: As per Air Marshalling Programme, at least 2 NSG commandos are present on flights for selected routes.

• Vulnerable infrastructure protection: The NSG provides security and protection to critical infrastructure such as vital installations, government buildings, and important public events.

• VIP Protection: The NSG provides specialized close protection to important dignitaries, government officials, and high-profile individuals.

• Example: NSG commandos deployed in Srinagar to protect G20 delegates.

• Assistance to central and state force: The NSG can be called upon to assist state and central police forces during situations requiring specialized skills and tactics.

Issues associated with NSG

• Resource constraints: The NSG operates with limited resources, including personnel, equipment and training facilities.

• Example: Budgetary allocation (Financial Year 2023-24) for NSG has been around 1200 crore while it is over 30000 crore for CRFP and 24000 crore for BSF. This results in resource shortage. 

• Timeliness: Due to the unpredictability of the threat and delay in critical intelligence information, rapid response has been missing at times.

• Example: Inability to prevent the Poonch terror attack which killed 5 soldiers recently.

• Political challenges: Political decisions and bureaucratic delay often affects the independence and quick decision making of NSG.

• Lack of coordination: This lack of proper communication and data sharing affects the efficacy with which operations are being launched.

• Example: Delayed response from NSG due to logistical issues during Mumbai terror attack.

• Logistics challenge: Rapid deployment of the troops is difficult in the absence of a well laid logistics network.

• Example: The major terror threat towards India is from Pakistan whose border along Jammu Kashmir has difficult terrain creating logistics issues.

• High attrition rate: The physically and mentally demanding nature of the operations can lead to high attrition rate among personnel.

• Public perception: Limited public awareness about the significance of NSG results in reduced public support for their operations.

Government Interventions & Way forward

• Strengthen rapid response team: The government has established regional hubs for NSG’s rapid response team to enhance their response time.

• Increase in budgetary allocation: The outlay towards NSG has almost doubled from 2016 to 2022.

• Simulated exercises and drills: The government has been conducting regular drills involving NGS and local enforcement forces to bring coordination among them.

• Community outreach: Public demonstrations, awareness campaigns to bring more cooperation between NSG and public.

• Incorporation of technology: Better technologies to counter improvised explosive devices aids in reducing the impacts of terror attacks.

Tags:
Security

Keywords:
National Security Guard National security architecture Paramilitary forces Indian Military

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Internal Security