Railway Protection Force (RPF)

About:

• Background:
  • The Railway Security Force (RSF) was established in
    
    
  • The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957 renamed RSF to Railway Protection Force (RPF) and expanded the force’s legal powers (thus it’s a statutory body).
    
    
  • In 1980s it was transformed into an ‘Armed Force of the Union’ by giving enhanced powers.
    
    
  
  
  
• Functions:
  • It has the primary duty of protection of railway property, passenger area, and passengers.
    
    
  • RPF is NOT responsible for ALL aspects of railways security as it shares its duties with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the District Police.
    
    
  
  
  
• Power: It has the power to arrest, investigate and prosecute criminals.
  
  
• Administration:
  • RPF is under the control of Ministry of Railways.
    
    
  • It is headed by the Director General (DG).