Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah attends the 87th Raising Day celebrations of CRPF in Guwahati, Assam

1. At a Glance

• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) marked its 87th Raising Day on 27 July 2026 with the national parade held in Guwahati, Assam — the first time the parade was conducted in the North-East [1][2].
• CRPF is the world's largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) with 248 battalions and ~3.25 lakh personnel, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) [1][2].
• Examinable from Prelims (CAPFs, internal-security org) and Mains GS-III (Internal Security) standpoint, especially in context of Naxalism deadline of 31 March 2026 [2].

2. Why in the News

• Union Home & Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah attended the 87th CRPF Raising Day parade in Guwahati (2026); Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and DG CRPF were present [2].
• HM reiterated the government's deadline that India will be free of Naxalism by 31 March 2026 [2].
• Continuation of the Modi government's decision to rotate the CRPF Raising Day parade across the country (Jammu 2022, Jagdalpur 2023, Neemuch 2025, Guwahati 2026) — Guwahati being the first North-East venue [1][2].

3. Background & Evolution

• 27 July 1939: Raised as Crown Representatives' Police (CRP) at Neemuch to protect British paramountcy in princely states; trigger — Madras Resolution, AICC, 1936 [1].
• 28 December 1949: Renamed Central Reserve Police Force by an Act of Parliament (CRPF Act, 1949) under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel [1].
• 19 March 1950: Patel presented the insignia to the force [1].
• Started with 2 battalions; today 248 battalions, 3.25 lakh personnel [1][2].
• Specialised wings raised over time: Rapid Action Force (RAF, 1992), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, 2008/09) for anti-Naxal operations.

4. Core Static Facts

• Parent ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India [1].
• Statutory base: CRPF Act, 1949; HQ at New Delhi [1].
• Raising Day: 27 July (annual) [1].
• Strength: 248 battalions / ~325,000 personnel — largest CAPF in the world [1][2].
• Martyrs to date: 2,270 jawans (as cited by HM, 2026) [2].
• Other CAPFs (for contrast): BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, NSG — all under MHA.
• Specialist units inside CRPF: RAF (anti-riot), CoBRA (jungle warfare/LWE), Parliament Duty Group, VIP Security Wing, Mahila Battalions (first all-women battalion raised 1986).
• Valour Day: 9 April (commemorates 1965 Sardar Post action in Kutch vs Pakistani Rangers).

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Internal Security / Strategic

• CRPF is the principal central force for counter-insurgency in J&K, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) belt, and the North-East [1][2].
• HM stated CRPF has converted India's "three internal security hotspots into growth spots" — J&K, LWE areas, NE [1].
• Played pivotal role in foiling the 2001 Parliament attack, securing Ram Janmabhoomi, Amarnath Yatra, and Mahakumbh [1].

Administrative / Federal

• Deployed on requisition of states; cost-sharing model governed by MHA guidelines.
• Holding the parade in Guwahati signals operational shift and decentralisation of ceremonial events beyond Delhi [1][2].

Social

• Includes Mahila battalions, the first such in any paramilitary force globally (1986).
• Recruitment from across India helps national integration; large NE & tribal intake under recent recruitment drives.

Ethical / Governance

• HM announced awards: 14 Police Medals for Gallantry, 5 President's Police Medals for Distinguished Service, 5 battalion citations at 87th RD [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• CRPF Day Parade-2025: held at Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh (the force's birthplace) [3].
• 86th Foundation Day (2025) celebrated at Group Centre, Pune and Bengaluru [4].
• 2026 (87th RD): First-ever NE venue — Guwahati; HM Amit Shah declares 31 March 2026 Naxal-free India deadline [2].
• HM Shah's tribute on CRPF Valour Day (9 April) reiterated CRPF's anti-terror role [5].

7. Prelims Hooks

• CRPF was raised on 27 July 1939 as the Crown Representatives' Police at Neemuch [1].
• Renamed Central Reserve Police Force on 28 December 1949 via the CRPF Act, 1949 [1].
• Parent ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (NOT Ministry of Defence) [1].
• CRPF is the largest CAPF in the world — 248 battalions, ~3,25,000 personnel [1][2].
• CRPF Valour Day: 9 April (Sardar Post, Rann of Kutch, 1965).
• Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialised wing of CRPF for riot control (raised 1992).
• CoBRA = Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, a CRPF unit for anti-Naxal jungle warfare (2008–09).
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel named the force CRPF and gave it its insignia on 19 March 1950 [1].
• 87th Raising Day parade venue: Guwahati, Assam — first time in NE [2].
• HM Amit Shah set 31 March 2026 as deadline for ending Left-Wing Extremism in India [2].
• Total CRPF martyrs (as of 2026): 2,270 [2].
• Mahila battalion (88th Bn) of CRPF raised in 1986 — first all-women paramilitary battalion in the world.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Internal Security: Role of paramilitary/CAPFs in internal security; LWE; insurgency in NE.
• GS-II — Governance: Centre-State coordination on policing & security deployments.
• Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss the evolving role of the CRPF in transforming India's three internal security hotspots into 'growth spots'." 2. "Examine the challenges before India's CAPFs in achieving a 'Naxal-free India by 31 March 2026'." [2] 3. "Police is a State subject, yet CAPFs like CRPF do the heavy lifting on internal security. Critically evaluate the federal implications."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Other CAPFs (BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, Assam Rifles) — comparative mandates.
• Left-Wing Extremism / SAMADHAN doctrine — operational framework for anti-Naxal ops.
• AFSPA & Disturbed Areas Act — legal regime for NE deployments.
• UAPA & NIA — counter-terror legal architecture complementing CRPF action.
• Article 355 & 356 — Centre's duty to protect states from internal disturbance.
• Police Modernisation Scheme & MPF Scheme — MHA-led reforms.
• Sardar Patel's role in integration — historical link to CRPF naming, 1949.
• Bastar / Dantewada anti-Naxal operations — operational case studies.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• CRPF is under MHA, NOT MoD — frequent confusion with Army/Assam Rifles.
• Raising Day = 27 July; Valour Day = 9 April — do not conflate.
• Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary (1835) — CRPF is largest, not oldest.
• CRPF Act, 1949 (NOT 1939) — 1939 is only the raising date.
• The 2026 parade in Guwahati is the first time in NE, not the first time outside Delhi (earlier held at Jammu, Jagdalpur, Neemuch) [1][2].
• CoBRA is a unit of CRPF, not an independent force.