NSG Commando: Full Form, Salary, Age Limit, Selection Process

The National Security Guard (NSG) is an elite force that plays an instrumental role in counter-terrorism  in India. Apart from this, NSG plays a vital role in the protection of VVIPs. The unit works under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). National Security Guard Personnel are also known as “The Black Cats”. Many young boys and girls who want to join this elite force keep on wondering how to become an NSG Commando.

Unfortunately, there is no direct recruitment in NSG for the general public. The personnel is deputed from the armed forces of India. Go through this post to know the exact process to become an NSG Commando in India and their salary.

NSG Commandos 2025 Selection Process

• Before we explain the detailed selection process of NSG Commandos, you should note that there is no direct entrance test that is conducted to shortlist the commandos. In fact, if you want to join NSG as a commando then you should be currently working within the armed forces of India.
• After joining the defense force, you have the option to become an NSG commando.
• NSG is further classified into two groups i.e. SAG and SRG (Special Action Group and Special Ranger Group).
• To join SAG you must be from the Indian Army. On the other hand, if you are looking to join the SRG group then you must be from the Paramilitary Forces of India.
• Even after getting selected, you will have to undergo a very strict training schedule. The drop out percentage during the training period is very high.

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Job and Duties of a NSG Commando

• The NSG Commandos are trained to conduct counter-terrorism tasks including countering hijackings on the land, sea, and air.
• Apart from this NSG Commandos are also trained for bomb disposal including searching, detection, and neutralization of IEDs. NSG also takes part in post-blast investigations.
• Hostage Rescue is also one of the jobs for which NSG commandos are trained.

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Rank Structure and Designation

The ranks in NSG are as follows.

Officers

1. Director-General. (Lieutenant-General – Commander’s Scale)
2. Additional Director – General. (Lieutenant-General – HAG)
3. Inspector-General. (Major-General)
4. Deputy Inspector – General. (Brigadier)
5. Group Commander. (Commandant/ Colonel)
6. Squadron Commander. (2IC/ Lieutenant-Colonel)
7. Team Commander. (Assistant Commandant/ Deputy Commandant//Captain/Major)

Assistant Commanders (JCOs)

1. Assistant Commander Grade I. (Subedar Major)
2. Assistant Commander Grade II. (Subedar)
3. Assistant Commander Grade III. (Naib Subedar)

Persons other than officers and Assistant Commanders

1. Ranger Grade I.
2. Ranger Grade II.
3. Combatised tradesmen.

Eligibility Criteria for NSG Commando

The eligibility criteria for the deputation to NSG Commando varies for different groups in National Security Guard.

Officers

• Rank – Dy. Comdt/ Asstt. Comdt
• Maximum Age Limit – 38 years for Dy. Comdt and 33 years for Asstt. Comdt
• Minimum Service – Below 10 years of service
• Service Record – No punishment during service
• ACR – Not below VG for last 5 years (if service more than 5 years)
• Remarks – NA

Assistant Commanders

• Rank – Insp./ Sub. Insp.
• Maximum Age Limit – 38 years for Insp. and 33 years for Sub – Insp.
• Minimum Service – At least 2 years of active service
• Service Record – (a) Punishment free record for last 3 yrs (b) No major punishment during service
• ACR – Not below VG for last 5 yrs.(if service more than 5 years)
• Remarks – NA

Rangers

• Rank – HC/ CT
• Maximum Age Limit – 38 years for HC and 30 years for CT
• Minimum Service – For HC – 02 years (Active service) and For CT – 2 years (excl. Basic trg)
• Service Record – (a) Punishment free record for last 3 yrs (b) No major punishment during service
• ACR – Not below VG for last 5 yrs (if service more than 5 years)
• Remarks – NA

Ragers (For Instructors/ Drivers/ Dog Handlers/ BD Squad)

• Rank – HC/ CT
• Maximum Age Limit – 38 years for HC and 30 years for CT
• Minimum Service – 02 years (Active service)
• Service Record – (a) Punishment free record for last 3 yrs (b) No major punishment during service
• ACR – NA
• Remarks – Preferably who have qualified/ done the following courses
  • Platoon Weapon-‘B’Grade
  • MMG-‘B’ Grade
  • BD Course-‘B’ Grade
  • MT Course-Qualified
  • PT Course- Qualified
  • Jungle warfare/LICO-‘B’
  • Commando-‘Q’
  • Sniper-‘B’ Grade
  • Dog Handler-‘Q’

Assistant Commanders (For Instructors/ Drivers/ Dog Handlers/ BD Squad)

• Rank – Insp./ Sub – Insp.
• Maximum Age Limit – 43 years for Inspector and 40 years for Sub-Inspector
• Minimum Service – For Sub. Insp. – 02 years (excl. Basic trg)
• Service Record – (a) Punishment free record for last 3 yrs (b) No major punishment during service
• ACR – NA
• Remarks – Preferably who have qualified/ done the following courses
  • Platoon Weapon-‘B’Grade
  • MMG-‘B’ Grade
  • BD Course-‘B’ Grade
  • Jungle warfare/LICO-‘B’
  • Commando-‘Q’
  • Sniper-‘B’ Grade

Other Mandatory Requirements

• Constable and Head Constable (CT/HC) should be 12th Class Pass
• HCs of Assam Rifle should be 10th Pass.
• Should be Volunteer
• SHAPE-I medical category
• Clear from DE/ Vigilance angle.

Preference to personal having the following qualification

• Instructional grading
• Served in LWE, CI Ops and high altitude areas
• Undergone courses like PT, CDO, CIJW, Mountain Warfare & ToT.

Selection Criteria Training of an NSG Commando

As mentioned above in this NSG Commando teams are further classified into the following groups.

1. Special Action Group (SAG)
2. Special Ranger Group (SRG)
3. Special Composite Group (SCG)

Special Action Group (SAG) – It is the principal offensive strike wing of NSG. This group is exclusively drawn from the Indian Army. The main task of this group is to perform counter-terrorism and counter hijacking missions.

Special Ranger Group (SRG) – This force is deployed to protect VIP/ VVIPs. Commandos in this group are drawn from Indian Army, Central Armed Police Force, and State Police.

Special Composite Group (SCG) – This group of NSG is deployed to perform counter terrorism operations in 5 regions – Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Gandhinagar.

How to Join NSG?

The selection process of NSG Commandos consists of the following three phases.

• 1^st Phase – Pre – Selection Criteria
• 2^nd Phase – Selection & Initial Qualification Training
• 3^rd Phase – Advanced NSG Training

1^st Phase – Pre – Selection Criteria

• In this phase, the candidates are selected on the basis of the following factors.
  • Service Experience Factor
  • Age Criteria
  • Physical Standards
  • Medical Standards
  • Service Report

2^nd Phase – Selection & Initial Qualification Training

• The 14 months training after initial training takes place at the National Security Guard Training Center in Manesar, Haryana, about 50 km from New Dehli.
• Before advanced training, three months basic NSG training is provided.
• Physical training includes a variety of activities such as cross-country obstacle courses to jumping from heights and across divisions and scaling distinct terrain types.
• The endurance training of commandos includes target shooting, obstacle-ridden country runs.

3^rd Phase – Advanced NSG Training

The advanced training of NSG Commandos lasts for 9 months. Here are some activities that are included in the Advanced NSG training.

• Demolition and bomb disposal techniques
• Knife and Unarmed combat
• Rapid and reflex shooting, and mirror shooting
• Surveillance and intelligence gathering
• Specialized infiltration techniques

NSG Commando Salary

You must be ondering how much an NSG Commando earns after going through this rigorous training.

• The salary in NSG generally depends upon the rank of the personnel.
• Generally speaking, NSG commandos earn from Rs. 84000/- to Rs. 250,000/- per month.
• The average salary is around Rs. 1.5 lakh/ month.
• In addition to the salary, various special allowances are also offered to the NSG Commandos.

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Frequently Asked Questions