Anyone who is looking forward to a career in the Indian Armed Forces needs to know about the special forces to get some motivation and knowledge. Special Forces are the military units which are capable to undertake special operations in any environment. Most of us have heard about US Navy SEAL’s, British SAS, etc. but only few of us know about the special forces of India. So let’s have a look on the special forces of India and their tasks.
a) MARCOS
MARCOS (Marine Commandos) are the special forces of Indian Navy. MARCOS are capable of conducting operations in all the three mediums Sea, Air and Land in all type of terrains. MARCOS are regarded as the one of the best commandos in the world and are among the few units qualified to jump in water with full combat load. MARCOS were trained by US Navy SEAL team and British SAS.
MARCOS are highly equipped with the latest weapons and are capable of airborne operations, counter-terrorism, anti-hijacking operations, anti-piracy operations, special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, Hostage rescues.
b) Para Commandos
Para Commandos is the special force of Indian Army. Para Commandos are the largest special force of India. They are the part of highly trained Parachute Regiment of Indian Army and have PARA (SF) & PARA (SF) Airborne battalions. The main aim of Para Commandos is to quickly deploy the soldiers in the area of conflicts. Para Commandos wear the highly respected maroon beret.
Para Commandos are capable of special reconnaissance, intelligence collection, hostage rescue, covert & direct operations, counter insurgency operations, counter-proliferation, humanitarian missions, sabotage of vital enemy infrastructure.
c) National Security Guards
National Security Guards is a special force that is utilized for the counter terrorism activities. It comes under the Central Armed Police Forces. The NSG’s are capable of handling hijacking situations, hostage rescue, engaging and neutralizing terrorists, bomb disposal. Most of the personnel are on deputation from Indian Armed Forces and rest are selected from central police forces.
NSG is regarded as the one of the finest counter terrorist units in Asia. It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs
d) Garud Commando Force
Garud Commando Force is the special force on Indian Air Force. The main task of the Garud Commando Force is to protect the critical Air Force bases and installations from terrorist attacks. Garuds are also capable of counter-terrorism, anti-hijacking, radar busting, hostage rescue, lasing of targets to support air operations
Garuds are also capable of undertaking search and rescue operations, rescue of friendly soldiers, aid during natural calamities and other military tasks. Garuds are also deployed in Congo as a part of UN peace Keeping operations.
e) COBRA
COBRA stands for COmmando Battalion for Resolute Action. It is the special force of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This unit was established to track and hunt down the Naxalite groups in effected regions.
COBRA is highly trained in guerrilla warfare and is regarded as the best equipped paramilitary unit in India. The COBRA unit has latest guns and hi-tech electronic surveillance equipment and also has well trained sniper teams.
COBRA’s are trained by the Indian Army and CRPF. As, it is the part of CRPF it comes under ministry of home affairs
f) Ghatak Force
Ghatak Force is an Indian Army’s infantry platoon capable of special operations. There is one Ghatak platoon in every infantry battalion in the Indian Army. Generally Ghatak Platoon is a 20-man strong which is capable of carrying out tasks such as special reconnaissance, ambush on enemies, directing artillery and air attacks on targets of enemies, raids on enemy airfields & supply dumps etc.
g) Special Protection Group
Special protection group works for the protection of the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Supreme Court and High Court judges and other top officials. It is one of the 8 central armed police forces.
Hope you found the above post interesting and useful! Leave your comments below!
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
i have come to know about these special forces first time. thank you sir
My daughter is studying in 2nd year B Sc (InformationTechnology & Management) at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack (Odisha) & very much interested to join Defence Forces as an Officer. Is there any hope to get a specific Branch according to her education or she has go for Adm/Lgs in IAF or related branches in Army/Navy ? Kindly suggest, shall it be a prudent move to complete LLB by consuming four more years & then try for Defence Services. Her DOB is 19.10.1993.
@ Durga Prasad Sahoo Sir,no special entry on the basis of the subject she is studying.She may opt for Adm/log or related branches in Army/Navy.
Recpected Sir,
can girls also apppy for all this special forces of indian army…plz tell
can u please tel me about the military forces for women.??
Hello sir,
I am Lokeshkumar. One year back I
consulted a dentist about
tooth decay. He observed and made
treatment. He said ” No problem,
root of the tooth is not affected” and he ”
capped the tooth”. Then
onwards there is no problem with the
tooth. Will it affect my
selection at SSB? Please clarify my doubt
sir.
Thank you.
Regards,
Lokesh.
No,it doesn’t effect your ssb result.
Hello Sir,
My name is Akash Thakur,and i have cleared the SSB from Allahabad a few days ago,I have done my BE in IT engg and i wanted to ask you weather i can choose to join the PARA commandos or any of the army’s elite forces or not?
Regards,
Akash Thakur
You may join special forces on deputation,it depends on your performance & all other related aspects.
its a very article… I am doing B.Sc with math and statistics .I am very much
interested to join Indian Navy. Is there any permanent entry for me???
sir, im a 12th studying student. My dream is- i want to become the part of the Indian security force, i would like to join the Garud commando force. What are the qualifications for it sir, can u help me sir……pls.
thank u
Firstly u need to join the airforce. When u finally become an airman u can volunteer for garud training… It is very tough and only one attempt to pass the test. Total training to be a garud takes 3 years. So be physically and mentally fit.
Hi sir,
Can you please give me a brief information about the training of marcos pls?
Thankyou very much
MARCOS are highly equipped with the latest weapons and are capable of airborne operations, counter-terrorism, anti-hijacking operations, anti-piracy operations, special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, Hostage rescues.
Sir
am a btech 2nd year student n I wnt to join indian navy.I hv collected informations about ssc ues entry sceme n I want to appear it in my pre final year.I want to knw which entry sceme should be better for me cds or ssc?
Would I able to gain btech degree if I would be selected in ssc ues entry??
how would tht be possible as I would apply in my pre final year?
Am confused plzzz guide me
Sir,
Is there an age limit for joining the Para Commandos via Territorial Army ? Could you kindly elaborate ? Thank You.
i have the same doubt,is it possible to get inside paratroop through TA
hai sir im a btech 4th year student.
i desperately want to join indian army by passing ssb. how to??? what is the procedure and various types of entries for btech students into armed forces
Kumar,
Check out this link : http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/
Is it possible to become an assistant commandant of nsg or other special force after being NAVIK(GD) of indian coast guard??
sir
i have been to 2 ssb interview one for navy and other for army in former i was conferenced out and in latter i was screened out. one of my testis little bigger than other . ll it affect my medical standards?
Sir,l’m having tonsilitis.will this cause any problem during medicals… Plzzzzzzzz reply……
Sir,
I’m a student of history(h) from Delhi university, my dream is to join any of the military forces in India. But my leg was once operated when I was 1 year old. Will it effect in physical test in any Armed force services ? Please do reply sir.
Regards.
Hari
Sir i am getting 500 marks in nda 2 2013 . What are my chances to get selected in the army if i will qualify in the interview
I would like to join Indian special force
Hey. I’ve always had a dream of becoming a Special Force Commando. I just wanna know which of these- Para Commandos, MARCOS, Garuds and NSG, get the maximum missions during service??? I wanna serve my nation, so pleasetell me. Thanks.
most of the specops the govs choice is NSG or MARCOS
brother have a nice one