BSF…the defender of Indian borders, shielding the
country from threats both external and internal.
In 1965, the government constituted the Border Security
Force to man the extensive national boundaries, security of the border regions
as well as to control any activities, which could threaten our Defence
structure. Since then the BSF has grown into the largest para-military force of
India.
The BSF has three main operational arms:
· The General Duty branch, which is in charge of vigilance.
· The Technical branch, which maintains equipments,
telecommunication networks and is also in charge of construction work.
· The Medical branch, which provides all kinds of medical
facilities to BSF troops as well as civilians.
The force has been entrusted with the task of:
· Keeping vigil on the borders and protecting people in border areas.
· Preventing trans-border crimes, unauthorized entry or exit, smuggling and
related illegal activities.
· Providing intelligence reports from the border regions
· Protecting vital installations and major operational areas such as bridges,
roads, airstrips, etc.
· Providing protection to people in border areas.
· Controlling riots, insurgencies and natural disasters.
You will have patrol mountainous terrains, deserts and long coastal stretches
on camelback, horseback, on foot, speedboats or in helicopters.
During
war-time you will be required to hold ground in less threatened sectors so long
as the main attack does not develop in a particular sector. Protection of vital
installations against enemy commando raids will also form part of your
responsibilities.
Apart
from being deployed on the border, you will also be required to carry out
internal security, anti-infiltration and counter insurgency roles.
Civil,
electronic and electrical engineers find employment in the technical branch.
One of the most important departments of this branch is the Signals Arm.
Here, you will be in-charge of the line of communication for passing
information on matters relating to internal security.
In
the Medical Branch you will be required to take care of BSF personnel as well
as civilians. You will dispense medicines to the civilian population as well as
attend to the sick.
In
addition you will be involved in numerous civic actions. These include
developmental works, providing assistance during natural calamities, supplying
essential commodities like sugar, kerosene oil, etc.
After
completing your graduation in any stream, you can apply to the BSF through an
all India based competitive examination for the post of Assistant
Commandant-BSF. Men and women in the age group of 19-23 years who have
completed their graduation in any stream are eligible for this examination.
Written Test
It consists of two papers:
Paper I of 200 marks is a test of general awareness, basic intelligence,
reasoning and numerical ability.
Paper II of 100 marks is an assessment of ability to read and understand
serious discursive prose and also the ability to express ideas clearly and
correctly. This comprises essay (in Hindi or English), precise writing and
comprehension of a given passage, (in English only).
Physical Test
This second stage is for those who clear the written test. It's called Physical
Efficiency Test (PET). This test consists of:
100 metres sprint (to be completed in 16 seconds by men and 18 seconds by
women)
800 metres run (to be completed in 3 min by men and 4 min by women)
Long jump and high jump
Shot-put (for men only)
Personal Interview
This is the last step where in you have to appear for a personal
interview where your psyche will also be assessed along with your general
intelligence, general awareness and other attributes. Preference in selection
is given to outstanding sports men & NCC (National Cadet Corps) cadets who
have an good record.
The
final merit list is prepared after a detailed medical examination. The
following are the minimum required physical standards:
Height -165 cms. (Men) and 157 cms. (Women)
Chest 86 cms. with expansion
Weight 50 kgs. (Men) and 46 kgs. (Women)
Physical /mental health should be good. Knock-knees, flat foot and squint in
eyes are not permitted.
Perfect colour vision/corrected vision: J-I/J-II
Engineering
and Medial professionals can also enter the Technical and Medical wings at the
level of Assistant Commandant through the same procedure.
BSF
men and women are required to be a perfect policeman during peace and a
professional soldier during war. Management of international borders, restoration
of law and order situation in the interior and fighting a
conventional/unconventional war are the major challenges faced by today's BSF
personnel.
Assistant
Commandants are taught various skills like shooting, driving, controlling
riots, mountaineering, etc. This is done at BSF Academy Tekanpur, Madhya
Pradesh.
Assistant
Commandants with minimum B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics) with
Electronics are deputed as Assistant Commandant (Technical) after undergoing
further technical courses.
After
successful completion of the training these officers are put on 'general duty,'
which apart from normal field duties involves administrative responsibilities.
Managerial and administrative responsibilities increase with seniority and
promotions.
You
will mostly be deployed on the Western borders with Pakistan or on the Eastern
borders with Bangladesh. In addition you may also be deployed in internal
security duties during general elections and law and order problems such as
riots. In states like Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, you will be involved in
anti-militancy operations.
From
time to time you will be required to do advanced courses in counter insurgency
and commando operations, specialised weapons training, etc.
Newly
selected candidates begin their careers as AC (Assistant Commandant) and within
20 years the career graph ascends to the rank of DIG or IG.
Besides
attractive pay package, BSF officers enjoy a number of allowances and extra
facilities such as dearness allowances, group insurance schemes, leave benefit
and travel concessions, furnished accommodation, soft loans, free ration,
medical care, etc.
The
promotions in the BSF follows a fixed pattern and is as follows:
i)
Assistant Commandant to Deputy Commandant
Six years service having completed courses like Commando & Weapons training
or having two years command experience as company commander.
ii)
Deputy Commandant to 2nd -in-Command
Total 5 years service as Deputy Commandant. Qualification in advanced courses
is also required.
iii)
2nd-in-Command (2IC) to Commandant
4 years service as 2IC with 2 years service as 2IC in a battalion. Should have
qualified Senior Command Course.
iv)
Commandant to Additional DIG
Total 18 years service with 3 years service as Commandant. Should also have
undergone Higher Command Course
v)
Additional DIG to DIG
Total 20 years service with 2 years as Additional DIG.
vii)
DIG to IG
Total 24 years service with 4 years as Additional DIG.
The
BSF offers great opportunities to pursue sports at the national and international
levels. It has got the privilege of having 12 Arjuna Awardees on its roll.
Numerous BSF personnel have represented India at the SAF Games and the Asian
Games. Sports that have produced champions from the BSF include Volleyball,
Hockey, Athletics, Shooting, Wrestling, Cycling and Equestrian among others.
BSF
personnel are also well known internationally for their ability to manage
crisis situations. This is the reason they are regularly deployed in United
Nations peacekeeping missions. Past operations in which the BSF have been
involved include Cambodia (1992), Angola (1995) and Bosnia (1996-1999).
Officers
of the BSF also get the opportunity to work for special groups like National
Security Guards- the Black Cat Commandoes and the Special Protection Group,
which is involved in protecting the prime minister and other top leaders.