CRPF…protects the innocent and
prevents damage to property during the violent riot that local authorities otherwise
can't control.
Riot control is just one of the
many duties of the CRPF. Raised in 1939 as the 'Crown Representative's Police,'
the CRPF got its present name after independence. This force is part of the
central government and comes directly under the command of the home ministry.
Its main tasks include:
· Maintaining internal security and enforcement of law and order.
· Providing assistance and support to other protective agencies.
· Providing relief and rescue services during floods, riots and other natural
calamities.
As a CRPF officer you will assist
the local police in protecting public sector undertakings in case of emergency.
You will also be required to help out the custom authorities in preventing
smuggling over land and sea frontier of the country. With the threat of
militancy and terrorism spreading in the country, you will also have to
undertake counter insurgency and terrorism operations.
At times of general elections to
Lok Sabha and to the Legislative Assemblies, the state government generally
seek assistance from the central government for additional security. During
such situations you will be required to step in to help the local security
forces.
In terms of organisational
strength the CRPF consists of:
119 Executive Battalions: These
form the bulk of the CRPF's force. Its basic role is that of a striking reserve
force to be placed at the disposal of States and Union Territories for
operations of short duration and return to the barracks once the task is
accomplished
Two Mahila Battalions: It's one
of its kind in the Indian Paramilitary as they consist solely of women. Their
role is similar to that of the executive battalions with special emphasis on
law and order problems in which women may be involved in large numbers.
Seven Rapid Action Force
Battalions: This elite branch of the CRPF deals with riots and
related unrest. They are usually placed in communally sensitive areas and have
been very successful in dealing with rioters as well as gaining the confidence
of the minorities.
Five Signals Battalions: They are
in charge of maintaining the lines of communications between various
battalions.
Special Duty Group: This
newly created branch specialises in countering terrorism and insurgency.
Another specialised outfit of the CRPF is the Green Force.
This force is responsible for stopping environmental degradation and sustaining
the regeneration of local flora and fauna.
You need to have:
Spirit of adventure
Interest in outdoor life
Ability to think clearly in a crisis
Good leadership skills
Above average intelligence
Courage and a sense of responsibility
Initiative, discipline and self-confidence
Ability to handle stressful situations
You can join the CRPF at
three levels:
Assistant Commandant
Sub- Inspector
Constable
Assistant Commandant:
Recruitment is through the competitive examination held by Special Selection
Board of the Central Police Organizations. Graduates in the age group of 19-25
years are eligible. The physical standards laid down are as follows:
Men: Height: 165 cms; Chest: 81-86
cms; Weight: 50 kg or according to height.
Women: Height: 157 cms; Weight:
According to height
The written exam consists of two
papers totaling 300 marks:
Paper I: General Awareness, General
Intelligence and Reasoning, Numerical Ability (200marks).
Paper II: Essay in Hindi or
English, Precis writing (English) and comprehension of given passage in English
(100 marks).
Next comes the Physical Efficiency
Test (PET). This comprises of:
1. 100m. race to be completed in 16
seconds (Men) and 18 seconds (Women)
2. 800m. race to be completed in 3
min (Men) and 4 min. (Women)
3. Long Jump: 3.50m for men and 3 m
for Women.
4.High Jump: 1.05m for men and
0.90m for women.
5. Short Putt (7.26 kg): 4.50m. for
men only
Failure in any one of these events
leads to disqualification.
On clearing the PET, you will be
called in for an interview. Here your psyche and aptitude will be assessed
along with your general awareness and general intelligence. Preference in
selection is given to outstanding sports men & NCC cadets who have a good
record.
Finally you have to clear a medical
examination and then make it into the merit list.
Engineering and Medial
professionals can also enter the Medical and Technical wings of the CRPF at the
level of Assistant Commandant or above through the same selection procedure.
Sub Inspector: You need to
be a graduate in any discipline between the age group of 20-25 yrs. Possession
of an NCC (National Cadet Corps) 'B' or 'C' certificate or an outstanding sports
certificate is considered desirable qualification.
The following are the minimum
required Physical Standards:
For Men
Height: 170 cms
Chest: 81-86 cms
Weight: Corresponding to height
For Women
Height: 157 cms
Weight: 43 kg for minimum height of 157 cms.
The candidates who on screening are
found medically by fit are allowed to appear in Physical Efficiency Test. The
test consists of:
1 mile run in 6.5 minutes
12 feet long jump in three chances.
Those who clear physical efficiency
test are allowed to appear in a written examination carrying 300 marks. It
consists of:
Paper 1: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness and Numerical
Ability Paper 2: Language comprehension and communication writing skills.
Written test is followed by an
interview, which carries 100 marks. Final selection is subject to passing the
medical examination.
Constable: You need to
be a matriculate between the age group of 18-23 years with the following
physical standards:
Height: 170 cms
Chest: 80-85 cms
Weight: Proportionate to height and age.
Those who are found physically fit
are required to appear for Physical Efficiency Test (PET). This test consists
of:
1 mile run in 6.5 minutes
12 feet long jump in three chances.
Those who clear PET have to appear
for a written test consisting questions on General Awareness, elementary Maths
and basic knowledge of English/Hindi. It is followed by an interview. Final
selection is subject to passing the medical examination.
Female candidates are eligible for
all the three entry levels.
The recruited officers are sent for
a 55 weeks training programme at the Internal Security Academy at Mount Abu,
Rajasthan. Those who are selected as sub-inspectors and constables undergo
basic training for a period of 36 weeks at one of the four training Centre
based at Avadi (TN), Neemuch (MP), Trivandrum (Kerala) and Sri Nagar (J&K).
You will learn about various police
procedure as well as specialist skills like shooting, driving, controlling
riots, etc. Training in administration and managerial functions will also form
part of your programme.
After this you will be posted in
the various battalions in the country. Presently CRPF's major commitments are
in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.
In addition to the attractive pay
package, CRPF officers enjoy a number of allowances and facilities such as
dearness allowances, group insurance schemes, travel concessions, soft loans,
free medical care, etc.
After training at the academy
officers join in as Assistant Commandants and then they move to the rank of
Deputy Commandant in five to six years. As Commandants they are in command of
about 1000 men. Movement upwards to the position of DIG is dependent on
selection based on service records and vacancies. During these years
opportunity for special training is available in areas such as mountaineering,
communication, management, unarmed combat, weapons and tactics, etc.
Performance in these courses is also taken into account while deciding
promotions. Generally an Assistant Commandant may reach the rank of DIG or IG
in a 20-year service.
Rank / Qualifying service for Promotion
Dy. Commandant. 6 years as Asstt. Commandnat.
Second-In-Command 5 years as Dy.Commandant (with total ‘A’ service).
Commandant 4
years as Second-In-Command (with 15 years Group ‘A’ service)
Addl. DIGP 3
years as Commandant (Total 18 years Group Retirement age of 60 yrs.‘A’service)
DIGP 2 years
as Addl.DIGP (with 20 years Group ‘A’ service)
IGP 4 years as
DIG (24 years Group ‘A’ service)
Officers of CRPF have the opportunity to serve
alongside the elite National Security Guards and Special Protection Group.
You will also get the opportunity to participate in
United Nations peacekeeping operations. CRPF personnel have already proved
themselves in dealing with law and order situations in countries like Haiti,
Namibia, Somalia and Yugoslavia.