CM Bhajan Lal Sharma Greets NSG on 42nd Raising Day
Synopsis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma greeted NSG commandos on the force's 42nd Raising Day on 16 October 2026, calling them symbols of indomitable courage and unwavering dedication to India's sovereignty and security.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma posted tributes to the National Security Guard on 16 October 2026 .
The NSG marks its 42nd Raising Day in 2026, having been established in 1984 following major internal security crises.
The NSG, nicknamed the Black Cats , operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is India's elite counter-terrorism force.
The force is mandated for hostage rescue, anti-hijacking, and counter-terrorism operations, drawing personnel from the army and central armed police forces.
Sharma's tribute aligns with the established practice of Indian political leaders publicly acknowledging security force anniversaries.
Four decades of silent, lethal vigilance — and on Friday, 16 October 2026, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma paused to salute the force that carries that weight. Sharma extended warm greetings to every commando of the National Security Guard (NSG) on the elite unit's 42nd Raising Day, honouring the Black Cats as symbols of 'indomitable courage and unwavering dedication to the nation's sovereignty and security.'
Posting on X and tagging the force's official handle @nsgblackcats, Sharma wrote: 'राष्ट्र की संप्रभुता और सुरक्षा के लिए सदैव तत्पर' — 'Always ready for the sovereignty and security of the nation' — adding that the country is proud of the commandos' valour and supreme dedication.
The Black Cats: Born From Crisis, Forged in Silence
The NSG was raised in 1984 under the Ministry of Home Affairs as a federal contingency force, directly in response to a string of grave internal security crises that exposed the need for a specialised, rapidly deployable unit. The force — nicknamed the Black Cats for their distinctive black coveralls — is mandated for the most extreme scenarios: counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue, anti-hijacking missions, and protection against weapons of mass destruction threats. Unlike conventional police or even paramilitary units, the NSG draws personnel from both the army and central armed police forces, combining the tactical precision of military training with the legal remit of a domestic security agency. That dual character makes it uniquely positioned within India's layered internal security architecture, sitting alongside units such as the SPG and state police special forces.A Ritual of Acknowledgement — and What It Signals
For Indian political leaders, issuing public tributes on defence and security force anniversaries is well-established protocol — but the language matters. Sharma's framing, emphasising sovereignty alongside courage, reflects the standard register through which elected officials reaffirm civilian respect for the security establishment. Coming from the Chief Minister of a border state like Rajasthan, the gesture carries a geographic resonance: the state shares a long frontier with Pakistan and has historically been central to India's western security calculus. Eyes will next turn to the Ministry of Home Affairs for any substantive announcements on NSG modernisation, recruitment, or equipment upgrades that might accompany the anniversary — the kind of news that would give the day's tributes operational weight.Point of View
But the framing around 'sovereignty' — not merely 'security' — reflects an increasingly assertive nationalism that BJP leaders deploy on defence anniversaries to reinforce their ideological credentials. For a Chief Minister governing a state with a sensitive western border, the gesture is also locally resonant, connecting Rajasthan's frontier geography to the national security conversation. Longer term, such political acknowledgements create soft pressure on the Centre to follow up with substantive policy — modernisation budgets, recruitment drives, welfare measures — lest the tribute appear purely ceremonial.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the National Security Guard (NSG) established?
The NSG was established in 1984 as a federal contingency force under India's Ministry of Home Affairs, following major internal security incidents in the early 1980s.
Why is the NSG called the Black Cats?
NSG commandos are nicknamed the Black Cats because of their distinctive all-black combat coveralls worn during operations.
What does the NSG do?
The NSG is India's elite counter-terrorism force mandated for high-risk missions including hostage rescue, anti-hijacking operations, protection against weapons of mass destruction threats, and VIP security in extreme circumstances.
Why did Bhajan Lal Sharma greet the NSG?
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma posted greetings to NSG commandos on the force's 42nd Raising Day on 16 October 2026 , honouring their courage and service to national security.
Which ministry controls the NSG?
The NSG functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs , Government of India, and draws its personnel from both the Indian Army and central armed police forces.
