Security categories in India

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Security categories in India

• In India, the government provides security to VVIPs and high-risk individuals. 
• Centre takes the call on which VIP should get what kind of security based on threat perceptions. 
• Such decisions are taken by a committee consisting of Intelligence Bureau officials, home secretary and the Union Home Minister.
• There are five kinds of security – X, Y, Y Plus, Z and Z Plus. 
• The last category is the highest one and is extended to only the most important people in the country.
• A handful of those in the Z Plus category, like current and former Prime Ministers, also get an additional Special Protection Group (SPG) cover. 
• The SPG security cover is an exclusive privilege for the Prime Minister.
• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are the two forces tasked with providing security to VIPs. 
• While ministers get Central security cover due to their position in the government, a call on such security to private individuals is taken by the Home Ministry based on inputs from intelligence agencies.

Details of different securities-

• For those in the X Category, the protectee gets one gunman. 
• Protectees in the Y category have one gunman for mobile security, and one (plus four on rotation) for static security. 
• Those in the Y-plus category, receive the cover of two gunmen (plus four on rotation) for mobile security, and one (plus four on rotation) for residence security.

More on Z category security-

• The ‘Z category’ is a security detail of 22 personnel, including four to six NSG commandos and police personnel. 
• It is provided by the Delhi Police or the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) or CRPF personnel.
• Those protected under the Z category are given five plus vehicles in their convoy, with at least one bullet-proof car.
• People in the Z-plus category get 10 security personnel for mobile security, and two (plus 8) for residence security.
• In addition to Z category security arrangements, protectees under this category get a bulletproof car, escort in three shifts and additional security when required.

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