Introduction

NSG is India’s premier counter-terrorist force under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deal with anti-terrorist activities in all its manifestation. It is also referred to as the ‘Black Cats’ because of their menacing, all-black uniforms. The decision to form an anti-terror federal contingency force was taken in 1984 when militancy in Punjab was at its peak. This decision was influenced by the need to have a force that would be not only highly motivated but also well trained and equipped to counter various manifestations of terrorism. It is in this context this organisation came into being in 1986.

NSG is Divided into Two Groups 

• Special Action Group (SAG): offensive wing responsible for the direct execution of the operations. Its recruits are from the Indian Army. 
• Special Rangers Group (SRG): serves in a support capacity by assisting SAG, especially in isolating target areas. Its recruits are drawn from the central paramilitary forces. 

The Mandate of NSG 

• The NSG’s ethos includes the pursuit of excellence; zero error, leading from the front; speed, surprise, stealth and accuracy.
• NSG’s primary mandate is to “handle counter-terrorism, anti-kidnapping, antihijacking, anti-sabotage, and hostage rescue operations”. 
• Scope of NSG expanded to include security of VVIPs, and anti-sabotage checks at public meetings of VVIPs. 
• Mitigation of threats to vital and sensitive installations, including nuclear facilities of India.
• Bomb disposal, creation and management of bomb data centres, and training of local, state, and federal police personnel (For example: training of Special Operations Group of J&K Police by NSG).

Some of the successful and well-known operations of NSG include Operation Black Thunder (to flush out remaining from the Golden Temple complex), Operation Black Tornado (Anti-terror operations during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks), neutralising the Pathankot terrorists.