Border Wing Home Guards (BWHGs)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: MHA is considering raising Border Wing Home Guards (BWHGs) along the China border, on the lines of their deployment along the India–Pakistan border.
About Border Wing Home Guards (BWHGs):
• What it is?
• A voluntary auxiliary force drawn from local civilian population living in border areas. Acts as support to Army and border guarding forces during emergencies, conflict, and intelligence operations.
• A voluntary auxiliary force drawn from local civilian population living in border areas.
• Acts as support to Army and border guarding forces during emergencies, conflict, and intelligence operations.
• Origin & Ministry Involved:
• Raised under the Home Guards Act, 1962. Comes under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), coordinated with State Governments. Seven States authorised: Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat (currently operational only in Rajasthan).
• Raised under the Home Guards Act, 1962.
• Comes under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), coordinated with State Governments.
• Seven States authorised: Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat (currently operational only in Rajasthan).
• Aim / Objectives:
• Supplement regular forces by relaying information, aiding patrolling, and maintaining law and order. Mobilise border population for security and community vigilance. Support disaster response and logistical tasks during crises.
• Supplement regular forces by relaying information, aiding patrolling, and maintaining law and order.
• Mobilise border population for security and community vigilance.
• Support disaster response and logistical tasks during crises.
• Key Features:
• Voluntary Force: Members enlisted for 3–4 years. Pay & Training: 25% cost borne by Centre; daily pay ₹800–900, comparable to constable salary. Strength: 2,279 active in Rajasthan (2025). Played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, proving effective in ground-level intelligence and communication.
• Voluntary Force: Members enlisted for 3–4 years.
• Pay & Training: 25% cost borne by Centre; daily pay ₹800–900, comparable to constable salary.
• Strength: 2,279 active in Rajasthan (2025).
• Played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, proving effective in ground-level intelligence and communication.
• Significance:
• Force Multiplier: Augments Army & ITBP presence across the 3,488-km LAC. Community Integration: Builds trust with locals and acts as bridge between villagers & security agencies. Cost-Effective: Uses local manpower with minimal infrastructure burden.
• Force Multiplier: Augments Army & ITBP presence across the 3,488-km LAC.
• Community Integration: Builds trust with locals and acts as bridge between villagers & security agencies.
• Cost-Effective: Uses local manpower with minimal infrastructure burden.