NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD (NSG)

About:

• The National Security Guard (NSG) is an Indian special forces unit for combating terrorist activities with a view to protect states against internal disturbances.
  
  
• Units: It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces / State Police Forces.
  
  
• Parent agency: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  
  
• Establishment: It was raised in 1984, following Operation Blue Star and the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
  
  
• Status: It has been formed under the National Security Guard Act, 1986. According to Ministry of Home Affairs website, it is one of the 7 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
  
  
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
  
  
• The NSG was modelled on the pattern of the SAS of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany.
  
  
• Motto: Sarvatra Sarvottama Suraksa.
  
  
• Director General (DG): The head of NSG, designated as Director General (DG), is selected by the Home Ministry. All the selected DGs have been officer from Indian Police Service (IPS).
  
  

Report Summary:

• Dedicated Air Wing:
  • Findings: The two Mi-17 helicopters procured by the NSG in 1988-99, were grounded and unavailable; NSG was late in reaching Mumbai during the 26/11 terrorist attacks due to non-availability of dedicated aircraft, hampering its rapid reaction.
    
    
  • Recommendation: should urgently commission a dedicated Air Wing of NSG to strengthen the aviation capability of the force.
    
    
  
  
  
• Personnel Issues:
  • Findings: NSG doesn’t have a cadre of its own or direct recruitment and is instead dependent on personnel sent on deputation from the army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
    
    
  • Recommendation: Home Ministry should form a working group to suggest changes in the NSG‟s deputation policy.
    
    
  
  
  
• Deployment for routine duties:
  • Findings: NSG, a special task force, is frequently deployed for routine and mundane duties which severely impacts its training and operational preparedness.
    
    
  • Recommendation: It should be deployed strictly in accordance with its mandate.