Paramilitary ForcesClass 9 Defence Studies Chapter 7 Notes – Maharashtra Board

Summary: Paramilitary Forces

The Army, Navy and Air Force exist mainly to fight wars against outside enemies; in peacetime they are kept trained and ready rather than deployed. Yet every day the country needs armed forces to guard borders, keep internal peace and protect sensitive places such as ports, airports, railway stations, bridges, power stations, oil depots and the coast.

These needs are met by paramilitary forces, most of them under the Ministry of Home Affairs (where they are called Central Armed Police Forces) and a few under the Ministry of Defence. Their jobs: internal security, helping the civil administration, guarding the coast and the borders in peacetime, and protecting key roads, bridges and places in war.

The Border Security Force (BSF), raised in 1965 under the MHA and led by a Director General, guards the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh in peacetime, stopping smuggling, infiltration, illegal immigration and terrorism.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), raised on 24 October 1962, guards the border with Tibet (China) in the Himalayas and its high passes. The Assam Rifles, first raised as the Cachar Levy in 1835, is India's oldest paramilitary force; with headquarters at Shillong, it guards the North-East and fights insurgency there.

The Indian Coast Guard, begun on 1 February 1977 and formally set up on 18 August 1978 under the Ministry of Defence and led by a Director General, guards India's waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone, stops smuggling and piracy, helps fishermen and protects the sea and its resources.

Key points to remember

• Armed forces mainly fight wars; paramilitary forces handle day-to-day border and internal security
• Most paramilitary forces are under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); a few under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
• MHA forces are called Central Armed Police Forces
• BSF: 1965, MHA, guards Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders
• ITBP: 24 October 1962, guards the Indo-Tibetan border and Himalayan passes
• Assam Rifles: 1835 as Cachar Levy — the oldest paramilitary force; HQ Shillong
• Assam Rifles guards the North-East border and controls insurgency there
• Coast Guard: started 1 February 1977, formally set up 18 August 1978; under MoD
• Coast Guard guards about two million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone
• All are headed by a Director General (Assam Rifles too)

Paramilitary Forces – Notes

1. Why paramilitary forces are needed

• The main duty of the Army, Navy and Air Force (under the Ministry of Defence) is to defend India against outside threats by fighting wars.
• In peace they are usually not deployed, but are kept trained, equipped and ready to fight at short notice.
• Even when there is no war, the country constantly needs armed personnel to guard international borders, keep internal calm, and protect sensitive places — seaports, airports, railway stations, bridges, power stations, petroleum storage and the coastline.
• Paramilitary forces meet this need. Most are under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); a few are under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• The MHA forces are called Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) — the book names BSF, ITBP and Assam Rifles among them.

2. Role of paramilitary forces

• Maintain the internal security of the country.
• Help the civil administration keep law and order when asked.
• Protect the coastline.
• Guard international borders in peacetime.
• In war, provide security to important roads, bridges and vital places.

3. Border Security Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police

• BSF: formed in 1965 under the MHA; headed by the Director General, BSF. Its battalions are much like Army infantry battalions.
• In peacetime the BSF guards the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders.
• BSF roles: keep the international border secure in peace; stop smuggling, infiltration and illegal immigration; help the civil administration with law and order; stop terrorist activity from across the border.
• ITBP: raised on 24 October 1962 especially to guard the Indo-Tibetan border in the northern Himalayas; works under the MHA.
• The book describes its area from the Karakoram ranges in Ladakh through Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. (Today the ITBP guards the whole border with China, up to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.)
• ITBP roles: protect the international border and the Line of Actual Control (the book prints 'Actual Line of Control'); guard the high Himalayan passes in its area; stop smuggling, illegal crossing and infiltration.

4. Assam Rifles

• Raised in 1835 as the Cachar Levy, it is India's oldest paramilitary force.
• It later got the name 'Assam Rifles' in recognition of its good service (the book links this to World War II; most histories date the name to 1917, after World War I).
• Headquarters: Shillong.
• It is under the MHA for administration, while its operations are directed by the Army.
• Roles: protect India's North-East border; control tribal insurgencies in the North-Eastern states; help the civil administration with law and order; help the North-Eastern states keep law and order.

5. Indian Coast Guard

• Started on 1 February 1977 and formally set up on 18 August 1978.
• Works under the Ministry of Defence and is headed by a Director General. (The book in one place says it functions under the Navy; it is a separate force under the MoD that works closely with the Navy.)
• It protects India's maritime interests and enforces sea law in India's territorial waters, contiguous zone and Exclusive Economic Zone, working with the Navy, the Department of Fisheries, Customs and the Central and State police.
• Roles: (1) guard about two million square km of EEZ; (2) prevent smuggling and piracy; (3) protect and help Indian fishermen; (4) protect the marine environment; (5) protect natural resources on and under the sea; (6) collect marine scientific data for research.

Paramilitary forces at a glance

Key terms

Paramilitary Forces – Flashcards

Read the question, answer it in your head, then tap the card to check. 20 cards.

Paramilitary Forces – MCQ Quiz

15 questions. Tap an option — you will see at once if it is right and why.

How to study Paramilitary Forces

⏱ About 30 minutes

1. Understand (10 min)
   Read why paramilitary forces exist alongside the armed forces and list their five roles.
2. Remember (10 min)
   Learn the table: for each force, year, ministry, area and two roles. Memory hook: 1835 AR → 1962 ITBP → 1965 BSF → 1977/78 CG.
3. Practise (10 min)
   Answer the 'Try it yourself' questions, take the quiz and play 🎮 Play.