The Indian Paramilitary Forces (PMF) are regarded as the world’s second largest paramilitary force, second only to China with 1.5 million personnel. Indian Paramilitary forces have several components with different roles. Overall it has a two-tier structure, the Central Police Organizations (CPO), which forms the first tier, and the second tier known as Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF).
Central Police Organizations (Tier 1): The Central Police Organizations (CPO) work independently or in coordination with the Indian Federal Agencies and State Police Forces. Railway Protection Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Special Protection Group, Home Guard and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) are CPOs which comes under Tier I paramilitary forces.
Central Paramilitary Forces (Tier 2): The Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF) forms the second tier of Paramilitary Forces. The CPF works in cooperation with the Indian Armed Forces. CPF constitutes of Border Security Force, National Security Guard, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Defence Security Corps, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Rashtriya Rifles, Assam Rifles and Special Frontier Force.
Special Frontier Force: It was created on 14 November 1962. Its main goal was to conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in the event of another Indo-China war. Based in Chakrata, Uttarakhand, SFF is also known as the Establishment 22’ or just ‘22’.