CRPF Foundation Day 2026: Celebrating the Courage, Sacrifice, and Service of India’s Central Reserve Police Force

Key facts

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was originally established in 1939 as the Crown Representative's Police in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh.
• After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel guided its reorganization, and a new act was passed on December 28, 1949, giving the force its current identity.
• CRPF operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and currently comprises 246 battalions.
• Specialized wings include CoBRA for jungle warfare, Rapid Action Force for riot control, and Mahila Battalions for female leadership in combat zones.
• CRPF duties include counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, combating Left-Wing Extremism, securing the Indian Parliament, guarding religious shrines, assisting in national elections, and providing disaster relief during floods and cyclones.