700 New Home Guard Positions Approved After 10 Years, Department Set to Be Strengthened

Shimla, June 24:
In a significant move to strengthen the Home Guards and Civil Defence Department, the Himachal Pradesh government has approved the recruitment of 700 new Home Guard volunteers. This marks the first recruitment drive in the department since 2015.

A government spokesperson stated that the long-standing pause in the recruitment process had led to a severe manpower shortage in the department. This not only impacted routine security operations but also delayed the fulfillment of deployment requests from various departments, boards, and corporations.

Currently, 8,000 Home Guard volunteers are deployed across the state, assisting the police and civil administration in maintaining law and order, managing traffic, handling election duties, and controlling crowds during festivals and major public events. In addition, Home Guards play a crucial role during natural disasters, accidents, and forest fires—often serving as the first responders and helping save lives in emergencies.

The spokesperson added that the new recruitment will open up employment opportunities for the youth while enhancing the department’s operational capacity. The government has sanctioned a budget of ₹24 crore to cover the wages and related expenses of the newly inducted personnel.

By augmenting the Home Guards’ manpower, the state aims to not only improve law enforcement but also bolster civil protection and community support services. The decision is being seen as a timely and strategic response to the evolving security needs of the state.