National Security Guard

About NSG:

• 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, the Golden Temple attack and the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, “for combating terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbances”
• National Security Guard personnel are sometimes referred to as The Black Cats.
• The NSG is modelled on the GSG-9 of Germany and the United Kingdom’s SAS.
• It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is a task-oriented force that has two complementary elements in the form of:
  • Special Action Group (SAG) comprising of the Army personnel- is the main offensive or the strike wing of the NSG, and
  • Special Ranger Groups (SRG) comprising of personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces/State Police Forces. They generally handle VIP securities.
  • The head of NSG- designated as Director General (DG), is selected and appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs.

• Motto:  ‘Sarvatra, Sarvottam, Suraksha’ 
• National Security Guard has been given the specific role to handle all facets of terrorism in any part of the country as a Federal Contingency Force.

• There is no direct recruitment to the NSG. Personnel from the army/police forces serve in the NSG on deputation.
• NSG is headed by a Director-General who is generally drawn from the Indian Police Service.
• Some of the major operations of the NSG include:

• Operation Black Thunder (anti-Khalistani operation in the late eighties)
• Operation Ashwamedh (hijack rescue mission in 1993)
• Operation Vajra Shakti (Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar, 2002)
• Operation Black Thunder (26/11 Mumbai attacks, 2008)

Functions of National Security Guard

The major functions of the NSG are:

1. Counter hijacking tasks on land, air and sea
2. Post blast investigation
3. Bomb disposal (search, detection & neutralisation of IEDs)
4. VIP security
5. Hostage rescue missions

Why was the National Security Guard formed

The basic philosophy behind the establishment of the NSG was to create such a dedicated, responsible and agile task force that can strike speedily on all facets of terrorism in any part of the country as a Federal Contingency Force. 

The NSG is a task oriented force that has 2 complementary elements consists of Special Ranger Groups (SRG) and the Special Action Group (SAG). 

The Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprises of personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces while Special Action Group (SAG) is composed of Army personnel.
The National Security Guard (NSG) remains ready 24×7 to meet all challenges to ensure security of the Nation.