What is VIP Security and Types of VIP Security in India

What is VIP or Who is considered as VIP:

Persons with high social status, influence, or importance are considered very important people (VIP or VIP). Examples of this would include celebrities, heads of state or government, other political officials, major employers, high rollers, top executives, wealthy individuals, or any other individual receiving special treatment because of their social standing. It usually entails separating from common people and providing a higher level of comfort or service. There is also the term very very important person (VVIP or V.V.I.P.) that is sometimes used to refer to VIPs with a high rank or substantial spending power.

What is VIP Security:

Certain high-risk individuals are provided with security details by police and local governments in India. There are six tiers, as determined by the threat perception of the person: SPG, Z+ (highest level), Z, Y+, Y, and X. Many individuals are covered by the Indian security blanket, including (but not limited to) the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Supreme Court and High Court Judges, Commanders of the Indian Armed Forces, Cabinet members, celebrities, and other prominent individuals (VIP).

Types of VIP Security in India:

SPG: Prime Minister of India is the only person who has access to details about SPG.

Z+ Security: Among the 55 members of the Z+ category is 10+ NSG commandos and police officers.

Z Security: There are 22 members of the Z category, including 4-6 NSG commandos and police personnel.

Y+ Security: Security details in the Y+ level consist of 11 people, including 2-4 commandos and police.

Y Security: The Y category is composed of 8 personnel, including one or two commandos and police officers.

X Security: There are two security personnel in the X category, with no commandos, and only armed police.

National Security Guard commandos provide security at the Z+ level. All team members are proficient in martial arts and unarmed combat skills, and they are equipped with Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns and modern communication equipment. Protective security by Delhi police staff, ITBP or CRPF personnel, and an escort car are included in Z category protection. In the Y category, there are two personal security officers (PSOs) and in the X category, there is one. Officially allocated numbers of police officers for VIP protection are often far exceeded in practice.

In the "Blue Book" is information about security services provided to the President, Vice President and Prime Minister and their families, and in the "Yellow Book" is information about security services provided to other VIPs and VVIPs. Various intelligence agencies work with the Home Ministry to establish guidelines for security coverage.

Several agencies, such as SPG (Special Protection Group), NSG (National Security Guards), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) provide security for VVIPs, VIPs, politicians, high-profile celebrities, and sports stars. Especially those who fall into the Z+ category is protected extensively by the NSG. There are many NSG members who are assigned to the Special Protection Group (SPG) that guards the Prime Minister. The majority of NSG and SPG commandos have prior paramilitary or special ops experience.

SPG Amendment Bill:

The SPG Act (1988) was introduced after Indira Gandhi was assassinated, and it established the specialized security group, the Special Protection Group (SPG). Assures the security of the Prime Minister and members of his family who reside at his residence and former Prime Ministers and members of their families who reside at their residences for a period of ten years after they have left office. Additionally, the Bill authorized a cover beyond ten years if deemed necessary due to a perceived threat.

According to the amended SPG Bill 2019, the Prime Minister and immediate family members who reside with him at his official residence, as well as the former Prime Minister and his immediate family members who reside with him at the allotted residence, are all covered for five years. It also specifies that if a former Prime Minister's SPG cover is revoked, as in the event of death, it will be revoked for his or her family members as well. A member would be eligible for the coverage only if he or she lives with the Prime Minister, or a former Prime Minister living at their official residence.