With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct?

Indian Polity : Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies

Q 9 / 42

UPSC CSE Prelims 2023

With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements :

Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government.
The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security.
To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States.

How many of the above statements are correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (b)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect.

Home Guards are constituted under State Home Guards Acts and Rules, not under central legislation. They operate as a volunteer force managed by respective state governments.

Statement 2 is correct.

The primary role of Home Guards is to function as an auxiliary force to the police. Their duties include assisting in maintaining internal security, aiding during emergencies, natural disasters, and communal disturbances, and performing various law and order duties.

Statement 3 is correct.

Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) battalions have been established in certain states, such as Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Tripura, and Meghalaya. Their purpose is to supplement the Border Security Force (BSF) in preventing infiltration and guarding international borders and coastal areas.

Since statements 2 and 3 are correct, and statement 1 is incorrect, a total of two statements are correct.

Incorrect Options

Option (a) is incorrect because two statements (2 and 3) are correct, not just one.

Option (c) is incorrect because statement 1 is factually inaccurate regarding the legislative basis for Home Guards.

Option (d) is incorrect because statements 2 and 3 are correct, meaning not none of the statements are correct.

SOURCEIndia Year Book 2023, Chapter: Internal Security and Defence