Pradhan Salutes NSG on Raising Day, Honours Force's Vigilance
Synopsis
On NSG Raising Day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan saluted the National Security Guard for its courage and professionalism. The NSG, established in 1984 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is India's elite federal counter-terrorism unit. Union ministers routinely honour special forces on raising days across successive governments.
Key Takeaways
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan posted a tribute to the National Security Guard on its Raising Day, October 16, 2026 .
The NSG was established in 1984 as a specialised federal counter-terrorism force under the Ministry of Home Affairs .
The force is responsible for high-risk operations including hostage rescue , anti-hijacking , and counter-terrorism response.
Pradhan praised NSG personnel for 'courage, discipline and exceptional professionalism in confronting the gravest threats to national security.' Honouring armed police forces and special units on raising days is a well-established tradition across successive Indian governments.
They train for scenarios most would not dare imagine — and on NSG Raising Day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan joined the nation in acknowledging the extraordinary men and women of the National Security Guard, India's elite black-cat commando force, on Friday, October 16, 2026.
In a post on X, Pradhan wrote: 'On NSG Raising Day, India honours the brave personnel of the National Security Guard for their courage, discipline and exceptional professionalism in confronting the gravest threats to national security. Their unwavering readiness and devotion to duty embody the highest traditions of service.'
The Force Behind the Black Overalls
The National Security Guard was established in 1984 under the Ministry of Home Affairs to fill a critical gap in India's internal security architecture — a specialised federal unit capable of responding to terrorism, hostage situations, and anti-hijacking operations with surgical precision. In the decades since, the force has become synonymous with high-stakes counter-terrorism response, deploying in some of the most dangerous situations on Indian soil.
Unlike conventional paramilitary formations, the NSG operates at the sharpest edge of national security, combining speed, firepower, and tactical intelligence in operations where there is rarely a second chance. Their distinctive black gear and gruelling selection process have made them one of the most respected special forces units in Asia.
Ministers Across the Aisle, One Salute
Tributes to central armed police forces and special units on their raising days have become a consistent feature of Indian political discourse, cutting across ministries and portfolios. That Pradhan — whose primary brief is education policy — chose to mark the occasion reflects the broad, cross-portfolio solidarity successive governments have maintained with India's security establishment.
It is a tradition that underlines a quiet but important signal: the institutions that guard the republic belong to every citizen, and their service demands recognition beyond the corridors of the Home Ministry alone.
On a day dedicated to those who stand ready so others need not worry, the salute is simple — and the weight behind it anything but.
Point of View
The gesture signals that national security remains a cross-cutting political priority for the BJP-led government, not confined to the Home Ministry. Such tributes also serve a quiet communicative function: reinforcing public trust in elite forces whose operations, by necessity, remain largely out of the public eye. In an era of heightened internal security awareness, these acknowledgements help keep the NSG's mandate visible even when its deployments are not.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is NSG Raising Day celebrated?
NSG Raising Day marks the anniversary of the establishment of the National Security Guard. The NSG was founded in 1984 , and its Raising Day is observed annually to honour the force's personnel and their contributions to national security.
What is the National Security Guard (NSG)?
The National Security Guard is India's elite federal counter-terrorism force, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs . It specialises in high-risk operations such as hostage rescue, anti-hijacking missions, and responses to the gravest internal security threats.
Why did Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan post about NSG Raising Day?
Dharmendra Pradhan , Union Education Minister and senior BJP leader, posted a tribute to mark NSG Raising Day. It is a longstanding tradition in India for Union ministers across portfolios to publicly honour central armed police forces and special units on their raising days.
Who are the NSG black cat commandos?
The NSG , popularly known as the 'black cats' after their distinctive black overalls, are India's most specialised counter-terrorism commandos. Selected through a rigorous process, they are trained to respond to terrorism, hostage crises, and anti-hijacking operations with speed and precision.
Under which ministry does the NSG operate?
The National Security Guard operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs , Government of India. It was created in 1984 to provide a dedicated federal capability for tackling terrorism and serious internal security threats.
