Central Armed Police Forces
Structure, Mandate, and Border Security Role
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are a group of seven uniformed law enforcement and paramilitary organisations under the Ministry of Home Affairs. They perform distinct roles: border guarding, internal security, critical infrastructure protection, and counterterrorism. Unlike the Indian Armed Forces (which operate under the Ministry of Defence), CAPFs are civilian-administered federal police organisations deployed across India's borders and in internal security operations.
- Seven CAPFs: Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Assam Rifles (AR), National Security Guard (NSG)
- BSF: Guards India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders; operational control under MHA
- ITBP: Guards India-China border (Karakoram Pass to Diphu Pass; 3,488 km); received highest budget increase in 2026-27 — reflecting post-Galwan LAC tensions
- CRPF: Largest paramilitary; internal security, counterinsurgency in J&K, Naxal-affected areas, Northeast
- CISF: Guards airports, nuclear installations, government buildings, PSUs
- NSG ('Black Cats'): Counter-terrorism and hostage rescue; deployed during 26/11 Mumbai attacks
- SSB: Guards Nepal and Bhutan borders
- Constitutional basis for deployment: Article 355 (Union's duty to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance)
● Tracked since February 01, 2026 · last seen April 03, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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