All India Civil Defence and Home Guards Day: A Tribute to Voluntary Service

All India Civil Defence and Home Guards Day, observed annually on December 6, honors the commitment and contribution of the Home Guards and Civil Defence organisations. This day also marks the formation of the Home Guard force, which was first established in the Bombay Province on December 6, 1946, as a voluntary citizen force to assist the police in maintaining law and order. Over the years, this force has evolved into a key auxiliary unit supporting the nation during crises, natural disasters, and emergencies.

Formation and Evolution of the Home Guards

Early Origins

The concept of Home Guards was initiated during pre-independence India, with the aim of creating a voluntary force to assist the police in maintaining public order during civil disturbances and communal riots. The Bombay Province became the first to raise the force, and this model was later adopted by several other states.

Post-Independence Development

Following the 1962 Chinese aggression, the central government recognized the need for a unified structure and advised states and Union Territories to merge their voluntary organizations into one uniform force. This led to the formal establishment of the Home Guards under the Home Guards Act and Rules, which vary by state and Union Territory.

Role and Responsibilities of Home Guards

The Home Guards serve as a critical auxiliary force, complementing the efforts of the police and local administration in various capacities:

1. Internal Security Maintenance
   Home Guards assist the police in maintaining law and order during internal security situations.
2. Disaster Management
   They play a vital role in responding to emergencies such as air raids, fires, cyclones, earthquakes, and epidemics, ensuring the safety of citizens and restoring normalcy.
3. Essential Services and Welfare Activities
   They help maintain essential services, promote communal harmony, protect weaker sections of society, and participate in socio-economic welfare programs.
4. Specialized Duties
   Home Guards contribute to border patrolling, anti-dacoity measures, crime prevention, election duties, and prohibition enforcement.

Rural and Urban Divisions

The Home Guards are divided into rural and urban units, catering to the specific needs of different regions. Additionally, Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) operate in border states to assist the Border Security Force (BSF).

Strength and Reach

As of now, the Home Guards have a total sanctioned strength of 5,73,793, with 4,86,401 personnel actively serving. The organization operates across all states and Union Territories, except Kerala.

BWHG Units for Border Security

Fifteen BWHG battalions have been established in border states such as Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal. These battalions are trained in specialized tasks, including law and order maintenance, border patrolling, and flood relief efforts.

Support and Funding

The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for formulating policies regarding the Home Guards’ roles, training, equipping, and establishment. The financial burden is shared between the Centre and state governments:

• 25:75 ratio for most states.
• 50:50 ratio for North-Eastern states (excluding Assam).

For the fiscal year, the Centre allocated ₹25 crore, of which ₹11.38 crore has already been distributed to states for operational costs.

Role of Civil Defence

In addition to the Home Guards, the Civil Defence Organisation focuses on implementing passive defence measures during hostilities, disasters, or local emergencies. It acts as a force multiplier, augmenting the capacity of local administration in crisis situations.

Home Guards Day 2024: Summary in Tabular Form

Category	Details
Why in News	All India Civil Defence and Home Guards Day is observed annually on December 6 to honor the commitment of the Home Guards and Civil Defence organisations. The day also marks the formation of the Home Guard force on December 6, 1946, in the Bombay Province.
Formation	1946 (Pre-Independence): Initiated in the Bombay Province to assist police during civil disturbances and communal riots.Post-1962: Unified under the Home Guards Act and Rules after the Chinese aggression.
Roles and Responsibilities	– Internal Security Maintenance: Assists police in law and order.- Disaster Management: Responds to air raids, fires, cyclones, earthquakes, and epidemics.- Essential Services & Welfare: Maintains services, promotes harmony, protects weaker sections, and engages in socio-economic activities.- Specialized Duties: Border patrolling, crime prevention, election duties, and prohibition enforcement.
Structure	– Rural and Urban Divisions: Cater to region-specific needs.- Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG): Operates in border states (Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal) to assist BSF.
Strength and Reach	– Sanctioned Strength: 5,73,793 personnel.- Active Personnel: 4,86,401.- Exclusion: Operates in all states/UTs except Kerala.
Funding	– Centre-State Share: 25:75 ratio for most states; 50:50 for North-Eastern states (excluding Assam).- FY 2024 Allocation: ₹25 crore, with ₹11.38 crore already distributed.
Role of Civil Defence	Focuses on passive defence measures during hostilities, disasters, or emergencies, augmenting the capacity of local administrations as a force multiplier.