NSG RANK AND INSIGNIA || INDIA ||
Channel: ADITYA. K
Date: 2020-08-25

The National Security Guard (NSG)[4][5] [6] is an elite counter-terrorism unit under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was founded on 22 September 1986[7], following Operation Blue Star, Golden Temple attack and the assassination of Indira Gandhi, "for combating terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbances".[8][9]

National Security Guard personnel are sometimes referred to as The Black Cats.[10][11
Mission
The National Security Guard states its mission as:

"Train, equip and keep in readiness a special force capable of swiftly and effectively combating terrorism to live up to its motto Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha"[12]

The NSG is a 'Federal Contingency Deployment Force' to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country.[13] As a specialised counter-terrorism force, it is intended to be used "only in exceptional situations" and is not meant to take over the "functions of the State Police Forces or other Para Military Forces".[13] Yet, over the years its role was expanded to provide personal security to influential politicians quite independent of the real threat that they face.

However, in January 2020, the NSG was withdrawn from this task of VIP security to ensure its focus on its original roles as an elite counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking force.[14]

The NSG is trained to conduct counter-terrorist tasks to including counter hijacking tasks on the land, sea, and air; Bomb disposal (search, detection, and neutralization of IEDs); PBI (Post Blast Investigation) and Hostage Rescue missions.

Directors General
Main article: Director General of the National Security Guard
The head of NSG, designated as Director General (DG), is selected by the MHA-Home Minister.[15] Since its founding in 1984, the NSG has had 28 DGs, in 31 years, with an average tenure one year and few months.[16]

Organization
According to the NSG website, it is modelled on the British Special Air Service as well as Germany's GSG 9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9 or "Border Guard Group 9").[17][18][19]


NSG marching at Republic Day Parade, 2017.
Headquarters
At Mehram Nagar, Palam
Administration The Director-General is assisted by four Indian Police Service officers for administrative matters of whom two are Inspectors General each for Administration and Headquarters (HQ) who in turn are assisted by Deputy Inspectors General.[20] The Financial Advisor of the NSG has been an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the rank of Joint Secretary and also has Dy Advisors from the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Indian Civil Account Service and Indian Defence Account Service.

At Manesar,
Operation and training: A Major General of the Indian Army, on deputation, designated as Inspector General (operations), is responsible for the planning and conduct of operations. Training is under another Inspector General(Training), located in Manesar, Gurgaon. They are further assisted by two DIGs - DIG (Operations) and DIG (Training).[21] The strength of the NSG is estimated to be about 7000+ personnel.[22] Air transport to support NSG is located at Indira Gandhi Airport.

Special Action Group (SAG)
There are 2 Special Action Groups - 51 and 52 SAGs. Both along with 11 SRG constitute the counter terrorist force (CTF) which is the counter terrorist arm of NSG. 51 SAG along with 11 SRG are tasked for counter terrorist and counter insurgency operations while 52 SAG deal with anti hi-Jack operations SAG members are drawn from the Indian Army.

Special Ranger Group (SRG)
There are 3 Special Ranger Group (SRG) - 11,12 and 13. Out of the three,1 I.e. 11 SRG is under counter terrorist force (CTF) and is used purely for counter terrorist operations along with 51 SAG. The other 2 i.e. 12 and 13 SRG are under close protection force and provide special security service for India's most high-profile targets e.g. The defence minister. SRG members are drawn both from the border guarding forces i.e. BSF, ITBP and SSB and Internal Security Forces I.e. CRPF, CISF and Assam Rifles.

Special Composite Group (SCG)
NSG has set five regional hubs under regional deployment. SCG consists of personnel both from Army and CAPFs for counter-terror operations within their area of responsibility. Each SCG is headed by an officer of Rank colonel of the Indian Army on deputation as Group Commander. Five regional hubs are

26 SCG Mumbai
27 SCG Chennai
28 SCG Hyderabad
29 SCG Kolkata
30 SCG Gandhinagar