The external threats are handled often by the Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defense, while internal threats are managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Various Security Forces and Agencies
and Their Mandate
Various Security Forces and Agencies and Their Mandate is a Splitting up the keywords – we
get two areas to focus – (1) Various Security Forces and Agencies (2) Their Mandate – ie.
the authority to carry out a policy or actionThere are external and internal threats to the security
of India and different specialized forces of India deal with these threats.The external threats are
handled often by the Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defense, while internal threats are
managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Security Forces

1. Indian Armed Force
2. Central Armed Police Force

Security Forces Dealing with External Threats
The defence forces (Indian Armed Force) are the primary force responsible for the security of
the country, and they come under the authority of the Ministry of Defense. Central
Armed Police Force (CAPF) too aid in combating external threats (they mainly manage
internal security issues) but are managed by Ministry of Home Affairs.

Indian Armed Force
The defense forces are divided into four sub-heads.

1. Indian Army Personnel.
2. Indian Air Force Personnel.
3. Indian Navy Personnel.
4. Indian Coast Guard Personnel.

Security Forces Dealing with Internal Threats
There are many divisions of Central Armed Police Force, which deal with internal threats.

Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)

1. Assam Rifles (AR)
2. Border Security Force (BSF)
3. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
4. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
5. Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
6. National Security Guard (NSG)
7. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

, The mandate of Various Security Forces and Agencies
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has multifarious responsibilities, important among them
being internal security, management of para-military forces, border management, Centre-State
relations, administration of Union Territories, disaster management, etc.

Article 355 of the Constitution enjoins the Union to protect every State against external
aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is
carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.


Defense Forces and Paramilitary Forces of India
Security of India and challenges from external and internal threats is a topic of high
importance which makes the understanding of security forces important.

Indian Armed Forces, which consists of Defense Forces, Paramilitary Forces and Strategic
Forces Command plays a major role in ensuring national security.

Security Forces
Security Forces in India can be broadly divided into two –

1. Indian Armed Force
2. Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)

Security Forces Dealing with External Threats
The defence forces (Indian Armed Force) are the primary force responsible for the security of
the country, and they come under the authority of the Ministry of Defense. Central
Armed Police Force (CAPF) aid in combating external threats (they mainly manage internal
security issues) but are managed by Ministry of Home Affairs.

1. Indian Army Personnel.
2. Indian Air Force Personnel.
3. Indian Navy Personnel.
4. Indian Coast Guard Personnel.

Security Forces Dealing with Internal Threats
There are many divisions of Central Armed Police Force, which deal with internal threats.

Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)

1. Assam Rifles (AR)
2. Border Security Force (BSF)
3. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
4. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)