Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) celebrated its Raising Day on October 24, 2025, commemorating its establishment in 1962, following the India-China war. The day honors the valour, discipline, and commitment of ITBP personnel who guard the 3,488 km India-China border, enduring some of the world’s most extreme conditions across the Himalayan frontiers.
Establishment and Background
- Raised on: 24 October 1962
- Founded after: India-China War (1962)
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Initial Legal Basis: CRPF Act (later given independent status through the ITBPF Act, 1992 and Rules, 1994)
- Motto: “Shaurya – Dridhata – Karma Nishtha” (Valour – Determination – Devotion to Duty)
- Initially formed with four battalions, ITBP has now expanded into a multi-dimensional border guarding force, ensuring security, peace, and stability along the India-China frontier.
Mandate and Role
- ITBP is one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), with a primary mandate to guard the Indo-China border from the Karakoram Pass (Ladakh) to Jachep La (Arunachal Pradesh).
Key Responsibilities
Border Guarding:
- Guards the 3,488 km border across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Many Border Out Posts (BOPs) are located at altitudes between 9,000 and 18,700 feet, where temperatures can drop to –45°C.
Disaster Relief and Rescue Operations:
- Provides humanitarian assistance during earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, and flash floods. ITBP was among the first responders during Kedarnath (2013) and Joshimath (2023) crises.
Internal Security Duties:
- Deployed for anti-Naxal operations, election duties, and VIP protection when needed.
Training and Specialisation:
- Personnel are trained in mountaineering, skiing, tactical warfare, and survival in sub-zero conditions.
Community Welfare:
- Conducts medical camps, education drives, and civil-military outreach programs in remote Himalayan villages.
Evolution and Expansion
- Initially raised with four battalions to secure India’s northern borders.
- Under the “One Border, One Force” policy (2004), ITBP was assigned the entire India-China border, replacing Assam Rifles in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
- The force has grown to over 60 battalions, equipped with modern surveillance, communications, and transport technology.
ITBP’s Unique Features
- Nicknamed: “Himveers” (meaning “Snow Warriors”).
- Deployment Altitude: 9,000–18,700 feet.
- Training Institutes:
- Basic Training Centre: Bhanu (Haryana)
- Mountaineering and Skiing Institute: Auli (Uttarakhand)
- Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School: Belagavi (Karnataka)
- Special Expertise: ITBP is the only CAPF with advanced mountaineering and skiing training programs and regularly participates in Himalayan expeditions. The force holds several records in mountaineering and glacier patrolling.
Commemoration of Raising Day
- Celebrated annually on October 24 with parades, demonstrations, and award ceremonies.
- The event honors:
- Bravery and sacrifice of ITBP personnel.
- Gallantry awards presented to distinguished officers and martyrs.
- Display of combat and rescue capabilities, showcasing operational preparedness.
The celebrations also reinforce the ITBP’s commitment to national integrity, border security, and community service in remote Himalayan regions.
Strategic and National Importance
- Acts as India’s first line of defence along the high-altitude India-China border.
- Plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, especially amid evolving border dynamics.
- Enhances India’s preparedness for disaster management and high-altitude warfare.
- Strengthens India’s internal and border security architecture under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
| Force Name | Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) |
| Established | 24 October 1962 |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) |
| Current DG (2025) | To be updated from latest government release |
| Legal Framework | ITBPF Act, 1992 & Rules, 1994 |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Length of India-China Border | 3,488 km |
| Deployment Range | 9,000–18,700 feet |
| Nickname | “Himveers” (Snow Warriors) |
| Motto | “Shaurya – Dridhata – Karma Nishtha” |
| Training Institutes | Bhanu (Haryana), Auli (Uttarakhand), Belagavi (Karnataka) |
| Policy | “One Border, One Force” (2004) |
| Other CAPFs under MHA | BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, NSG, and Assam Rifles |
Significance
- The ITBP plays a vital strategic role in guarding India’s most sensitive and challenging border region.
- Represents India’s commitment to peace with preparedness in the Himalayas.
- Demonstrates the resilience and patriotism of personnel who serve under extreme conditions.
- Continues to be a symbol of courage, endurance, and service, embodying India’s spirit of “Service and Sacrifice.”