Border Security Force
The Border Security Force (BSF) is India's border guarding organisation at its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India, and was raised in the wake of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 "for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for related matters".
| Border Security Force | |
|---|---|
Crest of the Border Security Force | |
Flag of Border Security Force | |
| Common name | Border security force |
| Abbreviation | BSF |
| Motto | जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1 December, 1965 |
| Employees | 265,000 active personnel |
| Annual budget | ₹24,771.28 crore (US$3.1 billion) (2023–24) |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | India |
| Operations jurisdiction | India |
| Governing body | Ministry of Home Affairs (India) |
| Constituting instrument |
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| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Facilities | |
| Boats | 500+ |
| Aircraft | 24 |
| Animals | Dogs, Camels, Horses |
| Website | |
| bsf | |
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It has various active roles during an outbreak of war. CAPF facilitates a navy, air wing and an artillery regiment. It is under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the BSF has a small force of officers or "Cadre". Notably, the head designated Director-General (DG), has been an Indian Police Service officer since its establishment. The BSF has grown from 25 battalions in 1965, to 192 battalions with a sanctioned strength of 270,000 personnel including an expanding air wing, navy, an artillery regiment and specialized units. It is currently the world's largest border security force. BSF has been termed the First Line of Defence of Indian territories.