UPSC Prelims 2023·GS1·polity-and-governance·governance

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?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AOnly one
  2. BOnly twoCorrect
  3. CAll three
  4. DNone

Explanation

1. Home Guards are a voluntary force raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules framed by the respective **State Governments** (or Union Territories), not the Central Government. While the Central Government provides policy guidelines and some assistance, the primary legislative and operational control rests with the states. Thus, Statement 1 is **Incorrect**. 2. The role of the Home Guards is indeed to serve as an auxiliary force to the police. They assist in maintaining internal security, aid in emergencies like natural disasters, promote communal harmony, and assist in various civil defense activities. Thus, Statement 2 is **Correct**. 3. To strengthen security in vulnerable border areas, special Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in certain States and Union Territories that share international borders or have extensive coastal areas (e.g., Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir). These battalions assist border guarding forces in preventing infiltration. Thus, Statement 3 is **Correct**. Therefore, only two statements are correct.
polity-and-governance: With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act an
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