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CRPF Observes its 88th Raising Day
What’s the News?
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) observed its 88th Raising Day on 27 July 2026, recognising the service and sacrifices of its personnel in maintaining India’s internal security.
The observance marks the formation of the force as the Crown Representative’s Police in 1939. The CRPF works under the Ministry of Home Affairs and assists the Union and State governments in maintaining public order, tackling insurgency and securing elections.
Count clarification: The 2026 observance was the 88th Raising Day, marking 87 completed years since the force was established.
Central Reserve Police Force
- Established: 27 July 1939
- Original name: Crown Representative’s Police
- Renamed: Central Reserve Police Force after Independence
- Governing law: Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949
- Administrative ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
- Motto: Seva Aur Nishtha—Service and Loyalty
- Category: Central Armed Police Force
The CRPF Act, 1949, provides for an armed force maintained by the Central Government and known as the Central Reserve Police Force.
Major Responsibilities
The CRPF performs a wide range of internal-security and law-enforcement duties:
- Crowd and riot control.
- Counter-insurgency and counter-militancy operations.
- Operations against Left-Wing Extremism.
- Security during elections, particularly in disturbed areas.
- Protection of VIPs and vital installations.
- Assistance to State police forces in maintaining law and order.
- Rescue and relief during natural disasters.
- Participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Specialised Units
Rapid Action Force
- Raised in 1992 as a specialised CRPF unit.
- Deals with riots, communal disturbances and major public-order situations.
- Also functions as a first responder during natural and human-made disasters.
CoBRA
- CoBRA: Commando Battalion for Resolute Action.
- Specialises in guerrilla and jungle warfare.
- Primarily deployed against Maoist insurgents in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas.
- The CRPF has 10 CoBRA battalions.
Organisational Strength
The CRPF’s organisational structure includes:
- 201 General Duty battalions.
- 16 Rapid Action Force battalions.
- 10 CoBRA battalions.
- 6 Mahila battalions.
- 6 VIP Security battalions.
- 7 Signal battalions.
- 43 Group Centres.
- 22 training institutions.
Additional Info
- CRPF Raising Day and CRPF Day Parade
- Raising Day is observed annually on 27 July.
- The ceremonial CRPF Day Parade may be organised separately.
- Police Commemoration Day
- Observed on 21 October.
- Commemorates police personnel killed during a Chinese attack on a CRPF patrol at Hot Springs, Ladakh, in 1959.
- CRPF Valour Day
- Observed on 9 April.
- Marks the CRPF’s defence of Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch against a larger Pakistani force in 1965.