“Paramilitary forces” in India is not defined officially and is used to refer Assam Rifles and Special Frontier Force, while Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
CRPF or the Central Armed Police Force is the largest Central Armed Police Forces that fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs. CRPF came in to existence in 1939 as Crown Representative’s Police.
Here are a few things you might not know about CRPF
Pension
In 2003, government removed old pension scheme which allowed pension of over Rs 15000 per month to officers and constables Rs 10,000-12,000. The government made pension scheme contributory ie the pension was notified to be deducted from the employee’s salary.
“Ministry of Home Affairs has in-principle agreed on it. Only some formalities on paper are left, like how to give certificates and all. It will also be resolved soon,” Border Security Force (BSF) Director General DK Pathak had told media.
A demand for One Rank, One Pension (OROP) was raised in 2015, following Centre’s implementation for the same for ex-servicemen. Rijiju had cited that paramilitary forces cannot get same facilities due to differences in the nature of their work and in the retirement age.
Martyr title
The government in July, 2018 had said to high court that paramilitary personnel who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty may be given martyr status on par with the armed forces with the proposal under consideration. Later, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir had stated, all paramilitary personnel who die in action are considered martyrs.
Broad gamut of duties performed by CRPF:
- Crowd control
- Riot control
- Counter Millitancy / Insurgency operations.
- Dealing with Left Wing Extremism
- Overall co-ordination of large scale security arrangement specially with regard to elections in disturbed areas.
- Protection of VIPs and vital installations.
- Checking environmental de-gradation and protection of local Flora and Fauna
- Fighting aggression during War time
- Participating in UN Peace Keeping Mission
- Rescue and Relief operations at the time of Natural Calamities.
How to get into CRPF? Here are the recruitment process for various posts that fall under CRPF
Assistant Commandant
Written Test, followed by Physical Efficiency Test and an interview take place
The written test comprises of two papers:
- Paper I: General Awareness, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Numerical Ability
- Paper II: Essay in Hindi/English, Precise writing and comprehension of given passage
Those who qualify written test undergo Physical Efficiency Test (PET) comprising the following:
- 100m. Race to be completed in 16 seconds (Men) and 18 seconds (Women)
- 800m. Race to be completed in 3 min (Men) and 4 min. (Women)
- Long Jump: 3.50m for men and 3 m for Women.
- High Jump: 1.05m for men and 0.90m for women.
- Short Putt (7.26 kg): 4.50m. for men only
Following selection in PET, one is called for an interview. After clearing the interview, candidate must pass the medical examination to make it to the final list.
Sub Inspector
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) consists of i) 1 mile run in 6.5 minutes and ii) 12 feet long jump in three attempts.
After PET candidates undergo written exam with two papers.
Medical Officers
These posts are filled by direct recruitment.
Age criteria:
Between 23 and 30 years (relaxed in case of certain government servants).
Qualification:
Medical qualifications included in the First/Second Schedule to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956).
Physical standard:
- Height: 157 Cms. relaxable by 2 cms for Gorkhas, Garwalis, Kumaonees, Dogras, Marathas and 3 Cms in respect of Adivasis and female candidates.
- Chest: 77 Cms. unexpanded and 82 Cms expanded.
- Weight: Proportionate to the height and age
Direct Recruitment takes place for other posts such as, Sub-Inspector (Cryptographers), Sub-Inspector (Radio Operator), Sub-Inspector (Technical).
