Introduction

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces under the Ministry of Home affairs, primarily tasked with the responsibility of guarding India’s international borders with Nepal and Bhutan. It was created in 1963, and at that time, it was called the Special Services Bureau. The name had been changed to Sashastra Seema Bal after it was given the charge of the Nepal border.

Role of SSB 

• The primary role is to safeguard the security of assigned international borders (Nepal and Bhutan) of India and promote a sense of security amongst the people living in border regions. 
• Prevent cross-border crimes, smuggling and any other unlawful actions. 
• Prevent illegal entry into or exit from the territory of India. 
• Carry out civic action programmes in the area of responsibility [For example: construction of schools, buildings, toilets, roads under the border area development plan]. 
• Perform any other duty allocated by the Central Government (such as Law & Order, Counter Insurgency Operations, Election duty, UN missions).

SSB is also the lead intelligence agency along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. As the lead intelligence agency, SSB is responsible for the coordination and dissemination of intelligence from its area of operations.