VVIP Security Check Exemption – Free PDF Download

P.E.S.C.

• 32 categories of people/posts are exempt from pre-embarkation security checks at India’s civilian airports

1. On the basis of Protocol
2. On the basis of reciprocity/bilateral agreement in respect of foreign dignitaries
3. On the basis of Security ground.

• The no-frisking privilege is granted to constitutional figures and those who have elite Special Protection Group (SPG) cover.
• The no-frisk list for airports is prepared by the bureau of civil aviation security on the recommendation of the home ministry.
• Until 1989, only the president, prime minister, Lok Sabha speaker, chief justice of India, Supreme Court judges and governors were exempt from security checks.
• The list has continuously expanded ever since.
• Latest update – November 2019

Who all are exempt?

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Prime Minister
4. Governors of States
5. Former Presidents
6. Former Vice President
7. Chief Justice of India
8. Speaker of Lok Sabha
9. Union Ministers of Cabinet rank
10. Chief Ministers of States
11. Deputy Chief Ministers of States
12. Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
13. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha
14. Holders of Bharat Ratna Decoration
15. Ambassadors of foreign countries, charge D’ Affairs and High Commissioners and their spouses
16. Judges of Supreme Court
17. Chief Election Commissioner
18. Comptroller & Auditor General of India
19. Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha & Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
20. Minister of State of the Union Council of Ministers
21. Attorney General of India
22. Cabinet Secretary
23. Lt Governors of Union Territories
24. Chiefs of staffs holding the rank of full General or equivalent rank
25. Chief Justices of the High Courts
26. Chief Ministers of Union Territories
27. Deputy Chief Ministers of Union Territories
28. Visiting Foreign dignitaries of the same status at SI. Nos. 1 to 4,7,8,9 above
29. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
30. SPG Protectees
31. Spouse of the President of India is exempted from pre-embarkation security checks at all civil airports even when he/she is not accompanying the President
32. Former Prime Ministers of India

• The Accompanying spouse of the above said VVIPs/VIPs is also exempted from pre-embarkation security checks at all civil airports in the country

2019 Changes to the list

• In an RTI, BCAS has revealed that these categories have been further added.

1. The spouse of the vice-president (even when travelling alone) and
2. Lokpal chairperson

What is SPG?

• The Special Protection Group (SPG)  is one of the eight Central Armed Police Forces of India formed in 1988 by an act of the Parliament of India
• For “providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India and former Prime Minister of India and members of their immediate families.”
• Family members of a serving Prime Minister (PM) may decline security.
• Former PMs and their immediate family members may also, if they choose, decline SPG security.
• Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will now be frisked at airports following the withdrawal of their Special Protection Group (SPG) security cover
• The Gandhis have been given Z-plus protection by CRPF, a category not in the ‘exempt-from-frisking’ list.

What are the security issues ?

• Being exempt from frisking means the VVIPs can carry the cabin bag which they are carrying straight on to aircraft without the bag also being frisked.
• Movement of unaccounted cash, especially through chartered aircraft engaged by the politicians during elections.

• The Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) of Chicago Convention of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) mandate adherence to the SARPS by all member states.
• India, as part of ICAO needs to conform to SARPS.
• Breezing through the airport is perhaps the biggest status symbol of all today

• Leading by example – The prime minister’s (extended) family shuns the limelight, restrains from exploiting their proximity to him.

Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF

Sharing is caring!