INTRODUCTION

          Sashastra Seema Bal was established as Special Service Bureau in May 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression (in 1962). Sashastra Seema Bal came under aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Jan 2001). SSB was declared a Lead Intelligence Agency for Indo Nepal (June 2001) and assigned the Indo Nepal border. Later, SSB was also assigned Indo Bhutan border (March 2004). In March 2004, SSB received the President’s Colours (March 2004) in recognition of the keystone role in national security, since its inception.

THE CHARTER

          The Force's charter of responsibility is to promote a sense of security among the people living in the border areas; prevent trans border crimes and unauthorized entry into or exit from Indian territory; and to prevent smuggling and other illegal activities on our frontiers. The Force personnel are vested with various powers under the Criminal Procedure Code to facilitate border guarding and internal security duties.

HISTORY

          Guided by its motto of Service, Security and Brotherhood, SSB personnel sagaciously went about nation building works with missionary zeal by involving millions of people from various communities and religions in 78,000 villages across fifteen Border States. Soon, SSB became popular as a ‘Peoples Force’. Several Prime Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Central and State Ministers and appreciated the pioneering works we did in mobilizing millions of border people for the national cause and converting them into proactive citizens willing to physically protect the sovereignty and integrity of the Nation. The Civic Action, empowerment, emancipation, awareness generation works, rescue relief works in has put SSB in a unique place amongst the comity of the Paramilitary forces.

          Our sterling role in 1965 and 1971 Wars, 1968 floods in North Bengal, IPKF Operations in 1987, internal security operations, natural calamities, election duties, raising the NSG, raising the Mahila Battalion for CRPF, providing specialized training for IB and RAW personnel, our relief works after the Super Cyclone hit Orissa and when the Koshi river swamped Northern Bihar, earthquakes hit latur, Bhuj and Uttarakhand, our performance in Police Duty Meets, national and international tournaments all puts SSB on an enviable pedestal of superiority.