Roles[edit]

ITBP is a multi-dimensional force which primarily has 5 functions:

1. Vigil on the northern borders, detection and prevention of border violations, and
promotion of the sense of security among the local populace.
2. Check illegal immigration and trans-border smuggling.
3. Provide security to sensitive installations and threatened VIPs
4. Restore and preserve order in any area in the event of a disturbance.
5. To maintain peace.

Ski Contingent of the ITBP during their 53rd Raising Day Parade, 2014

Presently, battalions of ITBP are deployed on border guard duties from Karakoram

 The border posts manned by ITBP are exposed to high velocity storms, snow blizzards,
avalanches, and landslides, besides the hazards of high altitude and extreme cold, where
the temperature dips up to minus 40-degree Celsius. ITBP conducts Long Range and Short
Range patrols to keep an effective vigil on inaccessible and unmanned areas on the border.
 The ITBP has recently taken on a disaster management role. Being the first responder
for natural Disaster in Himalayas, ITBP was the first to establish 06 (now 08) Regional
Response Centres in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Northeast India and carried out
numerous rescue and relief operations in various disaster situations, which took place in our
areas of responsibility as well as other parts of the country. ITBP has already trained 1032
personnel in Disaster Management including 98 personnel in Radiological and Chemical and
Biological emergencies.
 ITBP has established a National Centre for Training in Search, Rescue & Disaster
response at Bhanu, Haryana which is imparting training to personnel of ITBP and other
Paramilitary / State Police Forces. There is also a training centre for the Dogs at Basic
Training centre situated at Bhanu. The centre is known as NICD.
 ITBP Commando units provide security to the Embassy and consulates of India
in Afghanistan. Besides this two Companies of the ITBP are providing security in
Afghanistan.
 One company of ITBP is deployed in United Nation Mission in Congo since November
2005. A National Centre for UNCIVPOL training has been set up at ITBP Camp,
Tigri, Khanpur, Delhi for providing systematic training to Indian Police Officers for
deployment in UN Mission.
 ITBP is also providing security to the pilgrims during Annual Kailash Mansarovar
Yatra from 1981. ITBP provides communication, security and medical cover to the yatries
from Gunji to Lipulekh Pass and back to Gunji in co-ordination with MEA and Kumaon
Mandal Vikas Nigam.
 ITBP has provided Quarantine camp at Chhawala in New Delhi for the suspected
persons during the COVID-19 pandemic who were evacuated from Wuhan. It is also setting
up camps at its other locations in the country for further quarantine. [10]

Chitkul Village, as seen from the road to the ITBP checkpost

ITBP's major training centre is located at Mussoorie, in Uttarakhand. The Training Academy has
been established in 1976 and imparts training to Officers, Subordinate officers, and promotional
course. Specialised training programmes in rock craft, explosives handling etc. are also
conducted here.Ace mountaineer and Padma Shri awardee, Harbhajan Singh, IG heads this
institution. Keeping in view the evolving security scenario of the country, ITBP has established
a Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJW) at an altitude of 6,000 feet in the heart
of extremely tough Himalayan mountains, at Mahidanda in Uttarkashi district, under the dynamic
vision of the then DG of the Force Vikram Srivasatava, IPS. He provided top-rated leadership to
the force. The CIJW school provides state of the art training to ITBP's men and officers to enable
them to take on the 21st century's security challenges in the form of anti-Naxal Operations.
Jungle warfare, handling of explosives, rock craft, survival in adverse conditions, unarmed
combat, and guerrilla warfare are some of the subjects trained here.
The training regime, formulated under the close supervision of Rajiv Mehta, IPS and executed on
the ground by Sanjeev Raina, DIG is extremely demanding both mentally and physically, needing
special preparation. The presence of the force along the Indo China border where it maintains
vigil along the extremely difficult high altitude border area. The troops of the force keep a sharp
eye on any violation of the border, trans-border smuggling, and affords a sense of security to the
remotely located isolated settlements. The altitude where the troops are deployed range up to
18,800 feet and the temperature plummets to minus 30 degrees during winter with snowfall of
more than ten feet.
The force is synonymous with adventure and dare-devilry and has undertaken numerous
mountaineering expeditions. Its skiers have been national champions, who have competed
winter Olympics. Its river rafters have created international history in rafting through the turbulent
white waters of the mighty Brahmaputra, the Indus and the Ganges. The Force has created a
milestone by becoming the first Central Para Military Force to grab up the Best Marching
Contingent Trophy in the Republic Day parades in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2011. It broke new
ground in 1998 when it sent the first-ever police tableau of the country to participate in the
Republic Day Parade. ITBP is at the forefront of a movement for the preservation of
Himalayan environment and ecology. ITBP has taken up in a big way the task of greening the
Himalayan regions especially in Inner Himalayas. Being the only human presence in areas close
to China border, it has taken on itself the task of maintaining the delicate balance of flora and
fauna.
ITBP being deployed in mountains has developed the expertise in rescue & relief operations in
mountains, which entail different specialised skills of a very high standard. It is always first in
extending rescue & relief in case of natural calamity. ITBP conducts a large number of civic
action programmes in the remote border and terrorist affected areas to provide free and expert
medical, health and hygiene care to the civilian population in remote villages.
ITBP Academy has been given the status of "Centre of Excellence" by the Government of India
and now is on the path of modernisation of its training infrastructure. As of June 2004, the
Academy has trained 3,785 GOs, 7,776 SOs and 27,476 Other Ranks from ITBP and CPOs/
State Police Forces.