MODERNIZATION OF SASHASTRA SEEMA BAL

Moving towards modernization, Sashastra Seema Bal has procured the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Hand Held Thermal Imager, CCTV Surveillance Setup with Automatic Face Recognition System with Auto Number Plate Recognition and Satellite phones for surveillance and modernization of the Force.

Besides above, a Central Sector Scheme namely, Modernization Plan for all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) including Sashastra Seema Bal(SSB) has been implemented with an objective to improve the efficiency and performance of each CAPF by enhancing their capabilities through induction of latest and State of the art equipment in the areas of weaponry, communication, protective gears, surveillance and border guarding systems, training items, armored vehicles and special transport vehicles.

Modernization of forces and procurement of the latest and State of the art equipment is an ongoing process. So specific timeline cannot be given.

For the modernization and infrastructure development, during last ten years i.e. starting from the year 2015-16 to 2025-26 i.e including current financial year, Sashastra Seema Bal has been allotted Rs.5001.63 Crore and out of that Rs.4775.11 Crore have been spent so far and till the completion of this financial year on 31.03.2026 more fund will be utilized.

During the period from 2013 to the current ongoing Modernization Plan-IV upto 31.03.2026, Sashastra Seema Bal has been allotted Rs.241.15 Crore under the Modernization Plan-II, III and IV and spent Rs.210.02 Crore for procurement of various types of latest and State of the art equipment in the areas of weaponry, communication, protective gears, surveillance and border guarding systems, training items, armored vehicles and special transport vehicles.

Human Resource requirement and capacity building is a dynamic one and hence no specific target kept. It is assessed as and when needed and provided accordingly. To strengthen SSB's manpower (i) timely DPCs as per recruitment rules are conducted to fill vacancies against promotion quota (ii) direct recruitment posts are notified and filled through SSC/UPSC/ MOSB/Departmentally (iii) to fill non-GD cadres in house recruitment are timely conducted and (iv) some vacancies are filled up through deputation.

Further, SSB conducts training programme of the Force personnel as per requirement of the Force and also as and when latest and State of the Art equipment are adopted by the Force to enhance the operational capacity of the Force. SSB has also sent its personnel for taking the Drone Pilot Training at Drone Destination Gurugram (Haryana) which is an approved institute by Director General of Civil Aviation, Special Communication Equipment Training at Border Security Force (BSF) and Yoga Training programme at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi. These modern training programmes will strengthen the operational capacity of the Force.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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RK/RR/PR/PS