West Bengal to Launch Seema Mitra Award in 2027

West Bengal will introduce the Seema Mitra award from 2027 to recognise exceptional work in guarding the country’s borders. The award will be open to personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF), the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the State police.

Award selection

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said a selection committee would be set up to choose awardees from the forces. The award is intended to recognise border-guarding work.

Important Facts for Exams

• Specialised wings: The BSF is the only Central Armed Police Force with its own air wing and artillery regiment, and is one of two with a water wing.
• Indo-Nepal intelligence role: The SSB is designated both a border-guarding force and the lead intelligence agency for the India–Nepal border.
• SSB institutional origins: Established as the Special Service Bureau in 1963 after the 1962 war, the organisation was renamed Sashastra Seema Bal in 2001.
• BSF statutory framework: The Border Security Force operates under the Border Security Force Act, 1968, with service and disciplinary provisions elaborated in the BSF Rules, 1969.