The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Raising Day, also known as CRPF Foundation Day, is annually celebrated on 27th July to commemorate the establishment of CRPF, the largest of India’s Central Armed Police Forces, functions under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India (GoI).
- The day recognises the valour courage and sacrifices of the soldiers of CRPF in the past 84 years, which plays a key role in India’s growth by maintaining peace and preserving internal security and national integrity of India.
27th July 2023 marks the observance of 85th Raising Day.
History:
i.CRPF is the premier central police force of the Union of India for internal security, originally constituted as the Crown Representative Police on 27th July 1939.
ii.It is one of the oldest Central para military forces (now termed as Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)).
iii.The Madras Resolution of the All-India Congress Committee in 1936 sparked political disrupts and agitations in the former royal States of India, which led to the raising of the CRPF.
iv.It became the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the enactment of the CRPF Act of Parliament on December 28, 1949. This Act constituted CRPF as an armed force of the Union.
Zones of CRPF:
There are 4 zones namely Central Zone; Northeast Zone, Southern Zone and Jammu & Kashmir Zone.
Significance:
i.The CRPF has played an increasingly large role in India’s general elections besides law and order and counter-insurgency duties.
ii.The CRPF has played a major role in the security arrangements during all the Parliamentary elections. Lately, CRPF contingents are also being deployed in United Nation peacekeeping missions.
iii.One of the vital roles of the CRPF, which is not very evident, is guarding vital Central Government installations such as Airport, Powerhouses, Bridges, Doordarshan Kendras, All India Radio Stations, residence of Governors and Chief Ministers, Nationalised Banks and other Government establishments in insurgency affected States.
Key Points:
i.The CAPF of India has grown into a big organization with 246 Battalions (Bns), including 208 executive Bns, 6 Mahila Bns, 15 Rapid Action Force (RAF) Bns, 10 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) Bns, 5 Signal Bns and 1 Special Duty Group, 1 Parliament Duty Group (PDG).
ii.On 26th January 2023 on the occasion of Republic day, several medals were awarded to the police forces across India, of the 901 total medals awarded, CRPF walked away with 111 medals (the maximum police medals or 12% of the total 901 medals) across three categories – Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), President’s Police Medal (PPM) for Distinguished Service and Police Medal (PM) for Meritorious Service.
iii. CRPF is the largest CAPF having 01 Force Headquarters (Hqrs), 04 Zonal Hqrs, 21 Adm Sectors, 02 Ops Sectors, 39 Adm Ranges, 17 Ops Ranges, 43 Group Centres, 22 Training Institutions.
Related observance:
CRPF Valour Day also called as Shaurya Diwas is annually observed on 9th April to commemorate the CRPF personnel during the 1965 war against Pakistan Army.
About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):
Director-General– Sujoy Lal Thaosen
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established on– 27 July 1939
