Central Reserve Police Force Career Information
Consider this - there is a violent riot. The local authorities can't seem to control it. They call you for help.
Protecting the innocent and preventing damage to property now becomes your responsibility.
Are you up to this challenge? Then welcome to the world of the Central Reserve Police Force.
What a Central Reserve Police Force does
Riot control is just one of the many duties of the CRPF. Raised in 1939 as the 'Crown Representative's Police,' the Central Reserve Police Force got its present name after independence. Central Reserve Police Force is part of the central government and comes directly under the command of the home ministry.
The main tasks of the Central Reserve Police Force 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 Central Reserve Police Force 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 as a Central Reserve Police Force officer, will be required to step in to help the local security forces.
In terms of organisational strength the Central Reserve Police Force consists of:
119 Executive Battalions: These form the bulk of the Central Reserve Police Force'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 kinds 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 Central Reserve Police Force 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 Central Reserve Police Force is the Green Force. This force is responsible for stopping environmental degradation and sustaining the regeneration of local flora and fauna.
Job Opportunity
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.
Career Prospects
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. Commandant. 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.
Abilities & Traits Required
• 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
Qualifications
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 [SSB (of CPO)]. 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: 46 kg or 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, Precise writing (English) and comprehension of given passage in English (100 marks).
Next comes the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). This comprises of:
• 100m. Race to be completed in 16 seconds (Men) and 18 seconds (Women)
• 800m. Race to be completed in 3 min (Men) and 4 min. (Women)
• Long Jump: 3.50m for men and 3 m for Women.
• High Jump: 1.05m for men and 0.90m for women.
• 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 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.
Salary
The pay scales of different ranks in the BSF are as follows:
• Rank Pay
• Constable Rs 15000-18000
• Head Constable Rs 28000-32000
• Asstt. Sub Inspector Rs 30000-32000
• Sub-Inspector Rs 37000-40000
• Inspector Rs 10000-11000
• Subedar Major Rs 12000-13000
• Asstt. Commandant Rs 30000-32000
• Deputy Commandant Rs 35000- 37000
• Commandant Rs 40000-45000
• Addl DIG Rs 47000-50000
• DIG Rs 50000-52000
• IG Rs 53000-55000
• Addl DG Rs 55000-58000
• Director General Rs 60000
In addition to this CRPF officers enjoy a number of allowances and facilities such as dearness allowances, group insurance schemes, travel concessions, soft loans, free medical care, etc.