Sashastra Seema Bal Border Forces, 60 Years

Chinese aggression of 1962 gave a denting shock to India. The Indian policy markers and strategist were compelled to rethink about the national security vis-a-vis its neighbors particularly China. Besides addressing military issues, a need was realized for an out of box solution which led to the creation of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a unique and unconventional organization, designed to work in the far-flung, strategic but vulnerable border areas, motivating the border population across several states to work as a cohesive population aware of the threats from across the border and ready to respond in their own way.

The humble beginning of Special Service Bureau was made in 1963 under Cabinet Secretariat in Tezpur (Assam) and in the North-Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA), Later re-named as Arunachal Pradesh. SSB soon spread out into North Bengal, Hills of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. In the next two decades, SSB extended its footprints to the border areas of Manipur, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Guwahati, South Bengal and Nagaland. Guided by its moto of “Service, Security and Brotherhood”, SSB soon became a household name in the border areas and it was better understood as People’s Force.

SSB is in expansion mode by 2026. SSB will become formidable force providing opportunity to server the nation to 1 lac personnel in various ranks. Today it is 89904 officers and men maintaining a vigil on 2450 Kms long Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. The task of providing 24 x 7 vigil is not easy in difficult and diverse terrain ranging from Tarai region to the rainforests of Assam and high altitude inhospitable terrain of Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.

SSB’s officers and Jawans have brought glory to the country and have earned 01 Kirti Chakra, 04 Padmashree, 06 Shaurya Chakra, 02 Presidents Police Medals for Distinguished Services, 551 Police Medals for Meritorious Service, 24 Prime Minister’s Medals for Life Saving, 2 Asadharan Surkha Sewa Praman Patra (Posthumously), 14 Sarvottam Sewa Praman Patra, 23 Uttam Sewa Praman Patra, 1592 Utkrisht Seva Padak, 768 Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak, 6 Jivan Raksha Padak, 22 Prakram Padak, 01 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and many other civil awards.

Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on Diamond Jubilee of Sashastra Seema Bal and salutes its unwavering commitment of serving the nation.