Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to all personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on the occasion of its Raising Day, appreciating their dedication and service to the nation.
About Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
Background and Establishment
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was earlier known as the Special Service Bureau. It was established on 15 March 1963, following the Sino–Indian Conflict of 1962, with the aim of strengthening India’s border management and internal security framework.
Administrative Control
SSB is one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Border Responsibility
The force was created specifically to guard India’s international borders with Nepal and Bhutan, which are sensitive due to their open and porous nature.
Roles and Functions of SSB
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Border Security:
The primary responsibility of SSB is to ensure the safety and security of India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan. -
Border Community Engagement:
It works to promote security awareness and foster a sense of cooperation among people living in border areas. -
Prevention of Transnational Crimes:
SSB plays a crucial role in preventing smuggling, illegal immigration, human trafficking, and other cross-border crimes. -
Regulation of Border Movement:
The force is responsible for checking unlawful entry into or exit from Indian territory. -
Civic Action and Social Responsibility:
Under border area development initiatives, SSB undertakes social welfare activities, such as the construction of schools, roads, buildings, and sanitation facilities in border regions. -
Additional Responsibilities:
SSB may also be deployed for Law and Order duties, Counter-Uprising/Counter-Insurgency Operations, Election duties, UN peacekeeping missions, or any other task assigned by the Central Government.
Organisational Structure
The Sashastra Seema Bal is headed by a Director General, who is usually an IPS officer or a senior CAPF officer.
The force comprises:
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Infantry-style battalions
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Specialised units, including engineering, signals, medical units, and dog squads
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Training centres for operational and professional capacity building