NSG stands for a counter-terrorism unit of India known as the National Security Guard. NSG works under the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. NSG is also popular among the people of India and infamous among terrorists by the name of “Black Cats”. If you don’t know about this deadly and one of the bravest Central Armed Police Forces, Hang on with us. In this article, we will understand the history, designations, critical missions and functions of the National Security Guard.
NSG is one of India’s prominent Anti-terrorist armed police forces. National Security Guard was formed on October 16, 1984. The primary goal behind the establishment of this organisation was to neutralise the threat of terrorism and assist the state during the internal stir. It was founded keeping in mind the 1984 operation blue star in the Golden Temple to control the aftermath of the Operation and riots that followed. The national security Guard is one of India’s seven Armed Police forces. The Parliament of India officially passed it under the National Security Guard Act 1986. Since then, it has operated hundreds of missions successfully and earned respect in the eye of the people of India.
As the ‘Guard’ in NSG suggests, its primary goal is to protect people at any place at any cost. And their motto, Sarvatra Sarvoottam Suraksha, is a resemblance to the work they do. It is written as “Omnipresent Omnipotent Security” in English. NSG personnel joins the organisation as commissioned officer and enlisted rangers. While Officer rank personnel rises to the rank of Director General, Enlisted rangers are promoted up to Subedar Major rank.
Here is a list of both officer ranks and enlisted ranks from top grade to lowest level:-
Director General
Additional Director General
Inspector General
Deputy Inspector General
Group Commander
Second In Command
Squadron Commander
Team Commander
Subedar Major
Assistant Commander-1
Assistant Commander-2
Assistant Commander-3
Ranger Grade I
Ranger Grade II
Combatised Tradesmen
National Security Guard deals with different kinds of security and operations per the requirements. But there are some basic functionalities of this organisation which are listed below:-
1. Neutralising the terror threat in the country
2. Terrorist Attack Investigations
3. Security to VIPs(very important person)
4. Hijacking and Rescue missions
5. Bomb detection and disposal
The candidate should be a permanent resident of India
Mandatory to have a graduation degree in any stream
The maximum age limit to apply for NSG is 35 years
The candidate should be mentally and physically able to join the NSG
Candidate should have 3-5 years of previous experience in police services
Candidate needs to pass the standard physical and psychological tests.
If you are willing to join the NSG, you need to have previous experience of 3-5 years in any police service in India. After the candidates pass the standard exams, they are sent for qualification training. From there, the final candidates will be chosen and sent forward for Advanced NSG training.
Before getting selected for the qualifying training, candidates need to pass a hurdle test. In this test, the aspiring NSG commandos must clear 26 hurdles in 18 minutes and then complete a 780-metre hurdle. The combined time for these bundles should be less than 25 minutes to qualify for the qualifying round.
In the qualification training, candidates undergo harsh testing conditions to examine their mental, physical and emotional strength. Activities like fighting in extreme conditions and perfecting their aim to the dot level are examined during this training to test how well the candidates can perform under duress.
These 90 days of training are extremely hard. The difficulty level of the training can be determined by the 80% average dropout every year of aspiring candidates.
After the final candidates are selected, they are sent for advanced training. The training takes place at NSG training centre in Manesar Haryana. This training takes place over the course of 9 months. This training is considered one of the harshest training in the Armed forces. In this training, candidates are taught skills like:-
Bomb Disposal
Surveillance
Unarmed Training
Reflex Training
NSG commandos are paid between 80000 rupees to 240000 rupees per month, respective to their rank
NSG’s headquarter is situated in Delhi
National Security Guard’s slogan is “Onne For All, All For One.”
NSG candidates undergo two training rounds: 90 days of qualification training and nine months of Advanced Training In Manesar, Haryana
NSG commandos are also known as Black Cat Commandos, Phantoms
NSG stands for National Security Guard.
NSG was established in 1984 after 1984 operation blue star. But it was officially formed in 1986.
Special Action Group, Special Ranger Group, National Data Bomb Centre and Special Composite centre are other groups that come under the Black Cat Command.
Yes! An IPS can join NSG if he clears the NSG tests and the cadre approves his candidature.
No! It is mandatory for a candidate to pass at least graduation to apply for NSG.