UPSC Prelims 2023 Q91: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation
Home Guards — Governance and Role
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Correct Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Guards raised under Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government | FALSE | Home Guards are raised under individual State Home Guards Acts — each state has its own legislation. There is no Central Home Guards Act. The Central government only issues model guidelines/scheme. |
| 2 | Role of Home Guards = serve as auxiliary force to police for internal security | TRUE | Home Guards assist police in maintaining law and order, disaster relief, traffic management, and anti-sabotage duties — an auxiliary civilian force under the police. |
| 3 | Border Wing Home Guards Battalions raised to prevent infiltration on international borders | TRUE | Border Wing Home Guards have been raised in border states like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to assist the BSF in preventing cross-border infiltration and coastal surveillance. |
Statements 2 and 3 correct → Only two.
Answer: (b) Only two.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Only one' — both the auxiliary police role and border wing deployment are correct.
- (b) CORRECT. Home Guards serve as auxiliary police (2) and Border Wing HG Battalions exist for border security (3). Statement 1 is false — states have their own Home Guard Acts.
- (c) Incorrect. 'All three' — Statement 1 is wrong; there is no single Central Home Guards Act.
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' — Home Guards as auxiliary police is a fundamental, well-established function.
Key point
Home Guards = STATE Acts (not Central Act). Auxiliary to police ✓. Border Wing Home Guards = border security ✓. Statement 1 is the trap — state-level legislation, no Central Home Guards Act.
Remember
Home Guards are raised under individual State Home Guards Acts (not a Central Act). They serve as auxiliary forces to police for internal security. Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in border states to prevent cross-border infiltration.
Common mistakes
- Thinking there is a Central Home Guards Act — Home Guards are a state subject with state-specific legislation, though the Central government provides a model scheme.
- Not knowing about Border Wing Home Guards — these specialised battalions in border states supplement BSF/Coast Guard in preventing infiltration.
- Confusing Home Guards with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) — CAPF (BSF, CRPF, etc.) are central; Home Guards are state-level.
Exam tip
Home Guards = State List. State Acts + State deployment. Role: auxiliary to state police. Border Wing HG = bonus fact for border states. Central government = model scheme + coordination, NOT legislation. No central Home Guards Act.
Sources
- Ministry of Home Affairs — Home Guards Scheme
- State Home Guards Acts — State List Subject