CM Fadnavis Salutes NSG on Its 42nd Raising Day
Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to the National Security Guard on its 42nd Raising Day, honouring the Black Cat commandos and their families in a bilingual post invoking the NSG's motto 'सर्वत्र सर्वोत्तम सुरक्षा' — omnipresent, supreme protection.
Key Takeaways
Devendra Fadnavis , Chief Minister of Maharashtra, posted a bilingual tribute on NSG Raising Day, 16 October 2026 .
The National Security Guard was constituted on 16 October 1984 under the Ministry of Home Affairs as India's federal counter-terrorism force.
Fadnavis invoked the NSG's own motto — 'सर्वत्र सर्वोत्तम सुरक्षा' (omnipresent, supreme protection) — in his Marathi tribute.
The NSG, known as Black Cats , specialises in hostage rescue, counter-hijacking, and high-value anti-terror operations.
Annual Raising Day acknowledgments from state leaders reflect India's institutionalised post-1984 emphasis on dedicated counter-terrorism units.
Forty-two years after India forged its most elite counter-terrorism shield, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis marked NSG Raising Day on 16 October 2026 with a tribute to the Black Cat commandos — and to the families who stand silently behind every high-stakes operation.
Posting in both English and Marathi, Fadnavis wrote: 'On National Security Guard (NSG) Raising Day, we honour the courage of our Black Cats and the unwavering sacrifice of their families. Your exceptional discipline and resolute commitment play a vital role in safeguarding the nation.' In Marathi, he added — 'सर्वत्र सर्वोत्तम सुरक्षा' ('Omnipresent, supreme protection') — invoking the NSG's own motto to salute the 'valour of NSG jawans and the dedication of their families.'
India's Black Cats: born from the fires of 1984
The National Security Guard was constituted on 16 October 1984 under the Ministry of Home Affairs — a direct institutional response to the security crises that convulsed India that year. Modelled on elite international counter-terrorism units, the NSG specialises in hostage rescue, counter-hijacking, and the neutralisation of high-value terror threats. Their black uniform earned them the 'Black Cat' identity that has since become synonymous with India's most demanding internal security operations.
Annual Raising Day messages from state leaders form a consistent thread in India's post-1984 security culture — a public acknowledgment that the weight of protecting the nation is carried not by central forces alone but in a shared compact with every state. For Maharashtra, a state with a front-row history of terror incidents, that acknowledgment carries particular gravity.
The motto, and what it demands
By anchoring his tribute in the NSG's own motto — 'सर्वत्र सर्वोत्तम सुरक्षा' — Fadnavis frames the force not just as a tactical unit but as a permanent national covenant. The commando who trains for years for a mission that may last hours, and the family that waits without information: both are part of that covenant. That is the tribute. No ceremony required. Just the words, and the weight they carry.
Point of View
Fadnavis signals awareness that elite force credibility rests on institutional culture, not just operational outcomes. For a BJP leader who wears national-security credentials close, these annual tributes also serve a consistent political-identity function: positioning the state government as a stakeholder in central security architecture, not merely a bystander. Whether that translates into concrete state-central coordination — joint training, facility support — is the real watch-item.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the NSG (National Security Guard) established?
The National Security Guard was constituted on 16 October 1984 under the Ministry of Home Affairs as India's specialised federal counter-terrorism force.
Why are NSG commandos called Black Cats?
NSG commandos are nicknamed 'Black Cats' because of their distinctive black uniforms and balaclava headgear, which became iconic during high-profile counter-terrorism operations in India.
What does NSG Raising Day mark?
NSG Raising Day, observed on 16 October each year, marks the anniversary of the force's official constitution in 1984 , celebrating its founding and honouring its personnel and their families.
What is the NSG motto and what does it mean?
The NSG motto is 'सर्वत्र सर्वोत्तम सुरक्षा' , which translates to 'Omnipresent, Supreme Protection' — reflecting the force's mandate to provide elite security anywhere in the country.
Why did Devendra Fadnavis post about NSG Raising Day?
As Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis marked NSG Raising Day as part of a broader tradition among state leaders of publicly acknowledging central paramilitary forces, particularly significant given Maharashtra's own history with terror incidents.
