SSB- Sashastra Seema Bal & Its Mandate
- In the wake of the Sino-Indian War in 1962, a need was realized for the creation of a unique, unconventional, specialized organisation which would function in the far away, vulnerable, strategic, remote, climatically and topographically difficult border areas and motivate the border population across several states towards the cause of protecting our national sovereignty.
- As a result, the Special Service Bureau was created in 1963.
- After the Kargil War in 1999, in order to achieve optimum efficiency, the concept of one border for each force was adopted. The SSB was declared a border guarding force and was renamed as Sashastra Seema Bal in 2001.
- In 2001, it was given the responsibility of guarding the Indo-Nepal border (1751Km) and in 2004, its mandate was extended to guard the Indo-Bhutan border(699Km) as well.
- It is headed by an IPS officer.
- It is under the administrative control of MHA.
- It is the first border guarding force which has decided to recruit women battalions.
- It is also being deployed for Law and Order, Counter Insurgency Operations and Election Duties.
- It’s major duties are:
- Safeguard the security of assigned borders of India and promote a sense of security among the people living in border areas.
- Prevent trans-border crimes, smuggling and any other illegal activities.
- Prevent unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India.
- To carry out civic action programme in the area of responsibility.
- To perform any other duty assigned by the central government.
Read also: Puppetry in India
Read More: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
