Defence Current Affairs: Security Categories in India

Why in News?

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has been accorded Y-plus category of CRPF security by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the wake of her spat with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, and after she said she feared for her life.

About:

In our country security is provided to some high-risk individuals by the police and state government.
It Depends on the threat perception to the person, the category is divided into different tiers: Z+ (highest level), Z, Y+, Y and X.
Individuals under this security blanket include the President, Vice-President, Prime-Minister, Supreme Court and High Court Judges, Service Chiefs of Indian Armed Forces, Governors of State, Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers, etc.

How Security is Entitled?

The person who is facing the threat files an application at the nearest police station to his/her residence.
Then, the case is forwarded to the intelligence agencies to find out the threat posed to the person.
If the agency feels that there is a threat to the life of this person then a committee comprising the Home Secretary, Director General and the Chief Secretary in the state decides the category of security is to be given to that person.
After this, the details of the person are also given to the Union Home Ministry for formal Approval.

SPG Category:

Strength of security detail is classified (only provided to the Prime Minister of India.)
The SPG (Special Protection Group), NSG (National Security Guards), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) are the agencies responsible for providing securities to VVIPs, VIPs, politicians, high-profile celebrities and sportspersons.
The NSG is an organisation which is mainly used to guard VIPs and VVIPs, especially those in the Z+ category.
Many NSG personnel are seconded to the Special Protection Group (SPG) which protects the Prime Minister of India.

Image Source: Orrisapost

Z+ Category:

It has a security cover of 55 personnel [Including 10+ NSG Commando] + [Police Personnel]
National Security Guard commandos provide Z+ Category security.

Z Category:

Z category security consists of a cover of 22 personnel including 4 to 5 National Security Guard Commando and Police Personnel.
The ‘Z’ category contains security cover by the Delhi police or the ITBP or CRPF personnel and one escort car.

Y+ category:

Y+ security cover, 5 personnel including a CRPF commander and four constables — are stationed at a protectee’s residence.
Six personal security officers (PSOs) are deployed with the person on a rotational basis in three shifts.

Image Source News mobile

Y category:

It has a security cover of 11 personnel [Including 1 or 2 Commando] + [Police Personnel]
The ‘Y’ category encompasses two personal security officers (PSOs) and one PSO from the ‘X’ category.