India’s defence mechanism relies heavily on the shoulders of its elite commando teams—thoroughly trained teams capable of handling some of the most complex and dangerous operations, both within and outside the country. Commandos are epitomes of determination, willpower, and strategic brilliance. Whether they are sent for anti-terrorist action, hostage rescue, or high-danger surveillance, their efforts towards protecting the country are unmatched.
We at Crest Force India have the utmost respect for the discipline, strength, and operational excellence of these forces. As a top security guard service, we are inspired by the ethos and dedication of the best special forces in India and adopt similar values into our private security operations and training.
In-Depth List of Top 10 Commando Forces in India
National Security Guard (NSG)
- Parent Organisation: Ministry of Home Affairs
- Main Function: Anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism
- Training: Tough physical and mental training; specialized city warfare training
- Why they are the best: Dubbed the “Black Cats,” the NSG is India’s top anti-terror unit. Prized for carrying out surgical attacks in operations like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, NSG commandos are handpicked from the Army and paramilitary ranks, making them possibly the best commandos in India.
MARCOS (Marine Commandos)
- Parent Organisation: Indian Navy
- Main Function: Counter-piracy, reconnaissance, and maritime special operations
- Training: Includes parachuting, jungle warfare, demolition, and submarines.
- Why they stand out: They function in absolute silence and obscurity. Trained along with US Navy SEALs, MARCOS are known for their stealth operations and amphibious warfare skills and are among the top 10 commandos in India.
Para Special Forces
- Parent Organisation: Indian Army
- Primary Role: Deep reconnaissance, direct action, and hostage rescue
- Training: Less than 10% selection rate; encompasses HALO jumps, survival techniques
- Why they are awesome: Famous for their fabled “Balakot Strike” and surgical strikes in LoC, they are popularly referred to as the best security guard service in India, equivalent in the military domain.
Garud Commando Force
- Parent Organisation: Indian Air Force
- Primary Role: Security of airfields, special reconnaissance, and combat search & rescue
- Training: Airborne missions, aircraft hijack situations, and counterinsurgency
- Why they stand out: Force deployed exclusively for the IAF, Garuds defend strategic installations and carry out combined operations with Army and Navy commandos.
COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action)
- Parent Organisation: CRPF
- Primary Role: The guerrilla war against the Naxalite rebels
- Training: Jungle warfare, ambush tactics, and survival in a hostile environment
- Why are they special: Experts at asymmetrical warfare. Function in some of India’s most hostile red zones and are known for high rates of success in anti-Maoist missions.
Ghatak Force
- Parent Organisation: Indian Army Infantry battalions
- Main Role: Advanced assault missions, shock troops roles
- Training: Mountain warfare, tactical advancement, and close-combat skills
- Why they stand out: As the vanguard of the Army’s infantry battalions. Frequently, the earliest on the ground in assault operations.
Special Protection Group (SPG)
- Parent Organisation: Cabinet Secretariat
- Primary Role: Security of the Prime Minister and previous PMs
- Training: Close protection, counter-sniper manoeuvres, evacuation training
- Why they stand out: Reputed for their error-free security arrangements and international-standard SOPs, SPG is the cream of the crop in VIP protection.
Greyhounds
- Parent Organisation: Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Police
- Primary Role: Anti-Naxal operations
- Training: Jungle survival, ambush, and hit-and-run tactics
- Why they stand out: Work in tough terrain with rapid response capabilities. Frequently described as the best anti-Maoist force in India.
Force One
- Parent Organisation: Maharashtra Police
- Primary Role: Rapid response unit against urban terrorism
- Training: Advanced SWAT drills, urban hostage rescue, and crowd management
- Why they are special: Formed after 26/11 to secure Mumbai, Force One has set the standard for metropolitan counterterror readiness.
Special Frontier Force (SFF)
- Parent Organisation: Cabinet Secretariat, headed by RAW
- Main Function: Covert ops, particularly against China
- Training: Mountain warfare, parachute training, and clandestine operations
- Why they are special: They work in total secrecy and played a key role in the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict. Primarily composed of Tibetan exiles.
You can also read: People in India with Z+ Security Holders
FAQs Regarding Indian Commando Forces
Who is India’s No. 1 commando?
Although it’s difficult to name one, the NSG is widely known as the best commando unit in India when it comes to conducting counter-terror operations.
Which is the most feared commando force in India?
MARCOS stands out as one of the most feared for its stealth and amphibious capabilities.
What are the selection and training procedures?
Highly trained commandos are usually picked from available Army or police personnel, after which they undergo intense physical, psychological, and combat training for months or years.
Can civilians become members of the Indian special forces?
No. Civilians have to join the defence or paramilitary forces first before they can apply for commando posts.
Which commando unit deals with anti-terrorism?
The NSG, Force One, and SPG are front-runners for anti-terror operations.
Is there a presence of women in any Indian commando units?
Though limited, women have begun to be recruited into units such as Garud and COBRA in support roles. Expanding is in the pipeline.
What Makes These Commandos Elite?
Indian commandos are elite due to:
- Specialised Training: From high-altitude operations to HALO jumps, their training regimes are a copybook of international special forces.
- Operational Experience: Battle-tested by real-world missions in J&K, North-East, and border skirmishes.
- Tech-enabled Operations: Utilisation of drones, AI surveillance, night vision equipment, and GPS tracking boost tactical performance.
- Global Comparisons: MARCOS and NSG forces tend to be benchmarked against Navy SEALs and SAS forces.
- Mental & Physical Resilience: Arduous endurance tests ensure the strongest survive and serve.
All Indian Commando Forces at a Glance
Apart from the top 10 commandos in India, various state and central units play niche functions in special operations. Some of them are:
- Assam Police Commando Battalion
- Chhattisgarh STF
- Punjab Police SWAT
- Odisha SOG (Special Operations Group)
These behind-the-scenes heroes are critical to local security. (Stay tuned for our next blog: “Complete List of Indian Commando and Special Task Forces”)
How Private Security Services Fit into Military Discipline
At Crest Force India, we strongly believe in applying the professionalism of India’s commandos to our armed security guard training. We include modules on:
- Emergency response
- Evacuation planning
- Tactical coordination
- Customer service with vigilance
Though we don’t emulate the military, our private security guard service reflects their commitment, ethics, and readiness in the best armed security guard examples. That’s why major corporate houses, gated communities, and events all over India believe in our staff to secure them and keep them on high alert.
Conclusion
India’s commando troops are not merely military units—rather, they are the embodiment of might, strategy, and service. Each of the top 10 commandos of India plays a crucial role in ensuring national and internal security. They are an unseen but powerful bulwark against future threats.
As much as we welcome their sacrifices and strategies, we must remember that security is everybody’s responsibility. From top commandos to well-trained armed security personnel, every line of defence matters. At Crest Force India, we take pride in being part of that chain of defence—committed, watchful, and motivated by India’s very best.
