This move marks the second major reshuffle in VVIP security arrangements under the current administration
The government has announced a deadline to withdraw the National Security Guard (NSG) from providing VVIP security, with all NSG commandos assigned to protect high-profile leaders to be withdrawn within the next two months. The CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) has been assigned to take over the protection of nine prominent figures, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, according to a senior government official.
This move marks the second major reshuffle in VVIP security arrangements under the current administration. Previously, the Special Protection Group (SPG) was streamlined into a dedicated unit exclusively for the Prime Minister, removing SPG cover from other high-ranking officials.
“In a recent order, the CRPF has been instructed to take over the security of nine protectees. The process of transferring security will need to be completed within the next two months,” a senior government official confirmed.
The CRPF, which currently provides security to high-profile individuals such as Home Minister Amit Shah and the Gandhi family, will soon assess its requirements for personnel, infrastructure, and threat analysis to ensure a smooth transition. Although no specific order outlines an exact timeline for each individual, the security transition for leaders like CM Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be prioritised.
Other officials receiving NSG security who will transition to CRPF protection include former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and NC leader Farooq Abdullah. All affected protectees have reportedly been notified of the upcoming changes in their security detail.
This decision comes as part of a larger strategic shift within the NSG, with the Ministry of Home Affairs directing the elite force to focus exclusively on its primary mandate: special operations. Known internationally for its expertise and precision in counter-terrorism, the NSG is undergoing a manpower rationalisation to redirect resources and personnel to mission-critical tasks, enhancing its readiness for high-stakes anti-terror operations.
Discussions on this reorganisation have been underway within the Union Home Ministry, with multiple meetings culminating in the decision to eliminate the NSG’s VIP security wing. As the CRPF prepares to assume its expanded role in VVIP protection, sources indicate that the NSG will fully transition into a specialised force dedicated to counter-terror and high-risk interventions, while CAPF personnel will be reassigned to other essential roles as needed.
This restructuring aims to strengthen India’s security framework by focusing the NSG on core counter-terror operations, while the CRPF, with its wide-ranging experience in providing VIP security, steps in to handle the demands of VVIP protection in the coming months.