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Context:

• Senior IPS officer Nalin Prabhat has been appointed as the Director-General of the National Security Guard (NSG).

National Security Guard:

• The National Security Guard (NSG) is an elite counter-terrorism unit under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• It was founded on 22 September 1986 under the National Security Guard Act, 1986 following Operation Blue Star.
• National Security Guard personnel are sometimes referred to as The Black Cats.

Mandate and Role:

• NSG's primary mandate is to combat terrorist activities to protect the country from internal and external threats.
• It is responsible for handling situations like hijacking, hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism operations.
• NSG also protects VIPs, and vital installations, and conducts bomb disposal operations.

Organization and Structure:

• NSG is organized into two operational units: Special Action Group (SAG) and Special Rangers Group (SRG).
• SAG consists of specially trained commandos for counter-terrorism operations.
• SRG comprises personnel from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State Police Forces for support functions.

Training and Selection:

• NSG recruits are selected from various branches of the Indian Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
• Selection involves rigorous physical and mental tests, followed by specialized training in counter-terrorism tactics, hostage rescue, bomb disposal, and VIP protection.
• The training curriculum is designed to enhance operational readiness and response capabilities.

Operational Deployments in the Past:

• NSG has been deployed in various high-profile operations, including the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, the Akshardham temple attack in 2002, and the Pathankot airbase attack in 2016.
• They also conduct regular exercises and joint training sessions with other national and international counter-terrorism units to enhance coordination and interoperability.

It is one of the Seven CAPFs that falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs: ( click to read about them in the official website of the government)

• Assam Rifles (AR)
• Border Security Force (BSF)
• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
• Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
• National Security Guard (NSG)
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

Know about CAPF in detail:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/central-armed-police-force-capf#:~:text=About%20CAPF&text=The%20Central%20Armed%20Police%20Forces,the%20Ministry%20of%20Home%20Affairs.&text=The%20Assam%20Rifles%20came%20into,their%20settlements%20against%20tribal%20raids. 

Know About Different types of security covers in India :

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/different-types-of-security-covers-in-india

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/crpf-adg-nalin-prabhat-appointed-chief-of-nsg-9280534/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Discuss the role of the National Security Guard (NSG) in ensuring national security and counter-terrorism efforts in India. Evaluate the effectiveness of NSG's operations, training methodologies, and collaboration with other security agencies in responding to security challenges. ( 250 Words)