Paramilitary Services
The defence services of the country are responsible for the guarding our national boundaries from external aggression. However for internal security, as also for providing support to the defence forces in guarding and defending the national frontiers, paramilitary services viz., CRPF, BSF, ITBP and CISF have been constituted. Each force plays a well-defined role besides coming to the nation’s rescue at times of national calamities.

CRPF stands for Central Reserve Police Force. The primary responsibility of the Force is to help states in management of internal security and riot control. Rapid Action Force is a specialised wing of CRPF, which was especially raised for countering terrorism and insurgency in 1992. The force has the distinction of having two exclusive 'Mahilla' i.e. women battalions.

BSF stands Border Security Force. As the name suggests the main area of work for this force is near the borders of the country. During peacetime they check trans-border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India, prevent smuggling and activities promote a sense of security amongst the people living in the border areas. During the times of war BSF is deployed at vital installations to protect them from enemy attack and also at lesser-threatened sectors.

ITBP stands for Indo-Tibetan Border Police. This force was established mainly for the protection and safeguarding our border areas adjoining Tibet. However now they are also deployed for internal security duties like providing security cover to VIPs. Strength wise it is a much smaller force than CRPF and BSF.

CISF stands for Central Industrial Security Force. This force was raised to provide security to industrial establishments and handling labour unrest. However recently they have also been handed over the responsibility to provide security cover to some of the major airports in the country and other such duties related to internal security. The force has also geared itself to provide consultancy services in the area of security cover of industrial establishments.

Educational Qualification:
Simple Graduates meeting certain physical standards can join the paramilitary forces as Sub-Inspectors or Assistant Commandants/Company Commanders. The later is a gazetted class I position. Engineering and Medial professionals can also enter the Medical and Technical wings at the level of Assistant Commandant or above. For details see 'Examination in India'.