Know the Major Difference between PARA and PARA (SF)

By Dhruv Kumar|Updated : February 20th, 2021

A lot of defense aspirants want to join Special forces and PARA (Special Forces) is one of them. The regiment is the military's unit. For instance, a para regiment or parachute regiment is a unit that consists of para commandos. Many candidates are confused between PARA and PARA (SF). This is a very concerning topic for the defence Exams. Thus we are providing detailed information and major differences between the PARA and PARA (SF).

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PARA Vs PARA (SF)

Paratroopers are elite troupes. They are often muddled as the Special forces but they are the only soldiers and officers who have the opportunity to become para commandos in the future and have to go through an extreme training process to prove their vitality.
Becoming a Paratrooper is voluntary. Some of these soldiers and officers enter the regiment just after their training straight after their recruitment. Other transfer their units.
If someone wants to be a part of PARA SF, the first step includes getting into the Paratroopers (Airborne) Battalions (5, 6, 7). This includes a three to six months rigorous probation/selection period with a passing rate of just about 30% or less on average.

One part includes the traditional parachute force, with the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Parachute. The other was the five Parachute (Special Forces) units with the 1 Para (Special Forces), 2 Para (Special Forces), 9 Para (Special Forces), 10 Para (Special Forces), and 21st Parachute (Special Forces).
- The 1 Para (SF) have special training for mountain warfare,
- The 9 Para (SF) is specially trained for jungle warfare and
- The 10 Para (SF) are experts in desert warfare, & so on.
The initial phase includes a three-month probationary training which is designed to filters out the best candidates for the next phases of training.
Those candidates, complete this stage are awarded the Para wings and the Maroon Beret, before starting their yearlong initial Para (SF) battalions (1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 PARA), which takes place two times a year in the spring and the autumn term.

Major Differences between PARA and PARA (Special Force)

The Para SF insignia is Balidan while Para battalions insignia is Shatrujeet.
The two are best used behind enemy lines;
- On one hand, the Para battalions have the ability to hold ground for brief periods, while on the other hand, the Para SF are mobile forces that are capable of striking multiple targets hard and move on - the "tip of the spear". Para (SF) are Special Forces, trained to fight unconventional warfare.