What is the full form of BSF

BSF: Border Security Force

BSF stands for Border Security Force. It is a paramilitary force of India. Its main duty is to guard India's land border during peace and prevent transnational crime. At present, it is the world's largest border guarding force. It is also one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of India and is under the administrative control of the Home Ministry. It is headquartered in New Delhi. As of July 2017, Devendra Kumar Pathak is the chief of BSF.

Brief History

Till 1965, the State Armed Police Battalion was guarding the borders. When Pakistan attacked Sardar Post, Chhar Bet and Beria Bet in 1965, the State Armed Police was not able to handle the situation. So, the Government of India planned to establish an armed and trained Border Security Force. After the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries, the BSF was established on 1 December 1965 to ensure the security of borders and handle the issues related to borders. The first chief of BSF was Mr. K F Rustamji.

BSF Tasks

BST performs different tasks in peace time and war time.

In peace time, the tasks are as follows:

• To provide protection and promote a sense of security among the people near the border areas.
• Prevent unauthorized entry or exit from the border
• Prevent trans-border crimes and illegal activities like smuggling

In war time, some of the major tasks are as follows:

• To protect vital installations like air-fields from the enemy commandoes, para troopers, etc.
• To provide the extension to the flanks of the main defence line
• To perform special tasks entrusted to BSF by the army
• To guide the army in the areas where routes are known
• To guard the prisoners of war cages
• To perform anti-infiltration activities in the areas specified by the army.

BSF achievements

• Every year, it contributes many BSF personnel to the UN Mission services.
• BSF has emerged as an elite force in the country. It excelled with distinction in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Its ethos is "Any task, anytime, anywhere" and its motto is "Duty Unto Death".
• During Kargil War in May-July 1999, the BSF helped Army to defend the Kargil hills and won the war.
• For the last two years, the BSF is taking care of the internal security in Manipur and successfully fighting the insurgency.
• When the earthquake hit Gujarat in 2001, the BSF personnel were the first to reach there to help the distressed people and save lives.
• BSF personnel restored peace and brotherhood among the people during communal disturbances in Gujrat.

Border Flag Lowering Ceremony at Wagah, Husainiwala, and Sadque

Every evening, the BSF and Pakistan's border guards, the Pakistan Rangers, conduct a military exercise at the Wagah, Husainiwala, and Sadque Boundary, which is the international border between India and Pakistan. Each nation's soldiers participate in the daily activity. Numerous thousands of people from across the nation and beyond come to watch this ritual.

Organisation

One of the largest border patrol forces in the world, it has a strength of 240,000 troops spread among 186 battalions, including women personnel.

The General Duty Battalions of the BSF are supported in their operations by its own Air Wing, Marine Wing, and artillery units, which are unique among Central Armed Police forces.

A national-level dog breeding and training school is also operated by the BSF. The National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) receives dogs from different CPOs and State Police to train them in infantry patrol, bomb detection, tracking, and other dog-related skills.

Only the BSF operates a tear smoke unit (TSU) in India. The TSU is in charge of manufacturing the tear gas munitions needed for the Anti-Riot Forces. Additionally, it exports a sizable amount of goods to other nations.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is made up of two battalions of the BSF, located in Guwahati and Kolkata, respectively. In addition to engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads, and medical/paramedic professionals, each battalion maintains 18 self-contained specialised search and rescue teams with a total of 45 members. There are 1,158 people in each battalion's establishment. The NDRF is a multidisciplinary, multi-skilled, high-tech force that may be sent to disasters via air, sea, or land. The battalions are prepared and trained to deal with all types of natural disasters, including nuclear, biological, and chemical ones.

Join BSF

Recruitment for Assistant Officers in the Border Security Force (BSF) is handled by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is one of the most coveted and sought-after positions in the BSF, the exam is held at the national level.

Applicants for the position of Assistant Commandant in the BSF must pass a standardised exam for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Every year, the Assistant Commandant test is held by UPSC, and the commission chooses the number of openings based on the requirements and needs.