With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3. 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?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Why the answer is (b)
• Home Guards are a voluntary force first raised in Bombay in 1946 and reorganised after the 1962 war.
• Statement 1 is wrong: 'police' being a State subject, Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Acts and Rules of the respective States and Union Territories; the Centre only lays down model rules and shares costs.
• Statement 2 is correct: their role is to act as an auxiliary to the police in maintaining internal security, assisting in disasters, traffic control and essential services.
• Statement 3 is correct: Border Wing Home Guards battalions have been raised in border States such as Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam and West Bengal to help the BSF check infiltration.
• Hence two statements, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Only one
- Statements 2 and 3 are both correct, giving two.
- (c) All three
- Statement 1 is wrong: Home Guards are raised under State laws.
- (d) None
- Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.