With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct?

Answer: B. Only TWO of the three statements about Home Guards are correct (2 and 3). Statement 1 is WRONG. Home Guards in India are raised under STATE Home Guards Acts and Rules, NOT under a central Home Guards Act. The Home Guards Acts are STATE legislation (each state has its own). The Central Government provides advisory guidance and limited funding through MHA, but the substantive statutory framework is at state level. Statement 2 is CORRECT. The PRIMARY role of Home Guards is to serve as an AUXILIARY FORCE to the police in maintenance of internal security, law and order, disaster management, traffic regulation, and assistance during emergencies. They are volunteers who serve part-time alongside their normal occupations. Statement 3 is CORRECT. BORDER WING HOME GUARDS BATTALIONS have been raised in border states (Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, J&K, Northeast states) for assistance in preventing infiltration and supporting border-area security. Coastal Home Guards units exist similarly for coastal states. Source: MHA Home Guards information / various State Home Guards Acts.