How to join SPG?

When the then PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated, the government felt a need to raise a dedicated force whose sole responsibility will be to protect present and former PMs of India and their immediate family members.

Before the formation of SPG, the local police force, municipality, and other armed forces used to provide security, but there was no coordination among them. It was called Special Task Force (STF) and it was handled by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

The Special Protection Group (SPG) is a premier security force responsible for providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members. It is a highly specialized force that is trained to provide the highest level of security cover to the Prime Minister of India. The SPG is also responsible for providing security to former Prime Ministers and their family members, as per the provisions of the SPG Act of 1988. Joining the SPG is a highly sought-after career option, as it provides an opportunity to serve the nation by protecting the most important political leader in the country. In this article, we will discuss how to join SPG in India.

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The SPG was constituted and was specifically trained to provide protection to the then PM Rajiv Gandhi, viewing the threats in and around him. The SPG stopped its cover after PM Rajiv Gandhi lost elections the next time which increased threats around him. After his assassination in 1991, the SPG Act was amended to provide security to former Prime Ministers and also to their immediate families.

It was initially proposed that the protection to former Prime Minister and their immediate family members were to be given for a period of 10 years from the date on which the former Prime Minister give up the office. It is today revised to 1 year and is reviewed depending on threat perception.

Since then, the SPG has had only one task – protect Prime Minister and their family.

How Are Members Of SPG Selected?

Unlike any other force, the SPG does not have a direct dedicated entry. The senior and junior officers are recruited from the Indian Police Service (IPS), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).SPG personnel changes every year in the group. No single individual serves for more than one year. As previous SPG personnel are sent back to their parent unit after completing their tenure, a vacancy list is sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs to these organizations. The list then forwards down the hierarchy to the next lower levels of units. Many personnel applies for various posts in SPG through this.

The Selection Procedure

The selection includes PI, Psych, and Physical examinations, same as the SSB. A personal interview with an IPS officer with the rank of IG (Inspector General), two deputy IGs, and two assistant IGs is the initial step in the selection process. Following the interview, there is a physical examination, a written test, and a psychological assessment.

Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Criteria To join the SPG, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Age: You must be between 18 to 35 years of age.
2. Educational Qualification: You must have passed the 10+2 examination or its equivalent from a recognized board.
3. Physical Standards: You must be physically fit and meet the minimum height and weight standards.
4. Citizenship: You must be an Indian citizen.
5. Criminal Record: You should not have any criminal record.

Step 1: Apply for the Recruitment Once you have met the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the SPG recruitment. The recruitment process is conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. You can apply for the recruitment through their official website or through the Employment News.

Step 2: Written Examination After applying for the recruitment, you will have to appear for a written examination. The written examination tests your knowledge of general awareness, English language, and aptitude. The examination is conducted in multiple-choice questions format.

Step 3: Physical Efficiency Test If you pass the written examination, you will have to appear for a physical efficiency test. The physical efficiency test includes tasks like running, long jump, high jump, and shot put. You will have to pass this test to move on to the next round of recruitment.

Step 4: Interview and Medical Examination After passing the physical efficiency test, you will have to appear for an interview. The interview panel will assess your personality, communication skills, and other traits required for the SPG job. If you clear the interview, you will have to undergo a medical examination. The medical examination checks your physical and mental health to ensure that you are fit for the job.

Step 5: Training If you clear the medical examination, you will be selected for the SPG training. The training program is rigorous and lasts for several months. The training covers various aspects of security, including physical fitness, combat skills, intelligence gathering, and crisis management.

Branches Of SPG:

The SPG is broadly categorized into 4 branches

1. Operations: It deals with the actual protection duties. In the Operations Branch, there are components like Communications Wing, Transport Wing and Technical Wing.
2. Training: This category deals with training of personnel in physical efficiency, firing, anti-sabotage checks, communication and other operative aspects.
3. Intelligence and Tours: It deals with threat assessment, internal intelligence pertaining to personnel, verification of character and antecedents, tours and other related jobs.
4. Administration – This category deals with personnel, procurement and other related matters.

Qualification, Age Limit And Allowances:

• The candidate should be a citizen of India.
• The age of the candidate should not be more than 35 years.
• Passed 12^th standard from a recognized board.
• Serving member of IPS, BSF, ITBP and CRPF.
• Allowance of SPG members are 50% of their basic pay. Members in the administrative section get a hike of 25%.

How SPG Functions

Whether on a local or international visit, the Prime Minister is always protected by conventional operational protocols. This included everything, such as personal security information and anti-sabotage checks.

There are certain operating protocols in place that define details like how many guys will be with him at the dias and in the automobile. They also keep a close eye on who is permitted to meet the PM and who is not. Also, it returns the PM’s calls and requests that the PM determine whether or not to meet the caller.

They surrounds the PM with various security rings to keep him safe. The only task assigned to the members of the innermost ring is to transport the prime minister to safety in the event of an assault. The second level often consists of the Counter Assault Team. They are entrusted for providing cover firepower so that PM has enough time to flee.

There is not any direct entry recruitment process for SPG Commandoes.Commando are generally chosen from Para Military Forces , Police, BSF, CRPF, CISF , ITBP . The agency report directly to Home Ministry. There is not any filling online form or written test for the recruitment of SPG Commandoes.

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Also read, How to become an IAS officer

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