NSG Launches First 12-Week Mahila Commando Course at Manesar Academy

The National Security Guard (NSG) officially launched its inaugural 12-week Mahila Commando Conversion Course at its primary training center in Manesar, Haryana. The landmark program aims to train selected female officers and personnel drawn from various State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to undertake high-risk counter-terrorism and counter-hijacking operations.

Established under the National Security Guard Act of 1986, the NSG is India’s premier federal contingency force, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Traditionally, combat roles in elite specialized units like the Black Cats were predominantly male-dominated. This operational shift aligns with broader national policy initiatives to increase female representation across combat and tactical roles in armed forces and paramilitary establishments.

The rigorous 12-week training curriculum covers advanced close-quarter battle (CQB) drills, specialized counter-terrorism tactics, precision marksmanship, urban combat, and VIP protection duties. Trainees undergo intense physical conditioning and psychological evaluation designed to match the stringent combat readiness standards applied to all NSG operational commandos.

This topic carries strong relevance for GS Paper 3 (Security Forces and Their Mandate) and GS Paper 1 (Social Issues - Women Empowerment). Examiners often ask objective questions regarding NSG headquarters, nodal ministry, and subjective questions on operational challenges and policy reforms in integrating women into specialized combat units.