Border Security Force: A Detailed Overview

Border Security Force (BSF)

#GS-03 Internal Security

Border Security Force (BSF) was created on 1 December 1965.
BSF is primary border guarding organisation of India and termed as First Line of Defence of Indian Territories.
They are charged with guarding Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The BSF comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India.
It was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1 December 1965 for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for matters connected therewith.
This paramilitary force is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces in India.
Until the founding of BSF, the border with Pakistan was guarded by the State Armed Police Battalion.
Currently there are about 186 battalions and strength of more than 2 lakh personnel.
It also has an air wing, marine wing, commando units and artillery regiments.
The organization has its own cadre of officers but the chief is always an Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer.
Its motto is “Jeevan Paryant Kartavya” meaning “Duty Unto Death”.
The BSF does not have the powers to prosecute crime suspects.
BSF is deployed on Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International Border, Line of Control (LoC) along with Indian Army and in Anti-Naxal Operations.
BSF currently stands as the world’s largest border guarding force.

It also has powers to arrest, search and seize under the NDPS Act, Arms Act, Customs Act and certain other laws.