Why in the news?

  • Prime Minister greets the personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal on the occasion of their Raising Day.

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

  • Establishment: In 1963, in the aftermath of the 1962 Sino–Indian War
  • Mandate and Jurisdiction: Entrusted with guarding India’s international borders with Nepal and Bhutan, operating mainly in sensitive border areas with significant people-to-people movement.
  • Administrative Control: One of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • Organizational Structure:
    • Headed by a Director General (IPS or senior CAPF officer).
    • It comprises Infantry-style battalions, Specialized wings such as  Engineering, Signals, Medical units and Dog squads as well as Dedicated training institutions.
  • Key Functions and Roles:
    • Ensures security and protection of designated border areas.
    • Prevents smuggling, illegal immigration, and trans-border crimes.
    • Checks unauthorised entry and exit across the international borders.
    • Implements civic action and social responsibility programmes such as Construction of schools, toilets, roads, and community infrastructure.
    • Performs additional duties as assigned by the Central Government, including UN peacekeeping missions, Law and Order duties, Counter-insurgency operations and Election security.

Source: PIB