West Pakistan Refugees Settled In J&K Can Now Join Indian Security Forces: SSC Notification

Since the 1947 partition, Pakistan has consistently been involved in conspiracies against India, evident in conflicts like the 1947, 1965, and 1971 wars, Kargil, and ongoing terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. This history contributes to India considering Pakistan as an adversary. Surprisingly, it’s noteworthy that individuals from Pakistan can still join the Indian security forces.

The inclusion of West Pakistani citizens in the Indian paramilitary forces remains a significant question. However, recent notifications from the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) shed light on this matter. According to the recruitment notification, there is still an opportunity for West Pakistani citizens residing in Jammu and Kashmir as refugees to join the Indian security forces, provided they meet specific conditions outlined by the Government of India.

According to provision 6.8 in the recruitment notification, Pakistani refugees settled in Jammu and Kashmir are eligible to apply for positions in the Indian Paramilitary Forces. The notification explicitly states that even those Pakistani refugees who haven’t acquired citizenship status in Jammu and Kashmir can still apply. Remarkably, these refugees can be recruited without the necessity of a domicile certificate from the designated authority of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

For the recruitment of Pakistani refugees in paramilitary forces, the notification specifies the requirement of a Domicile or Identity Card as per Annexure-XIII. This certificate, issued by the Sarpanch, Numberdar, or Naib Tehsildar, must include the individual’s Pakistani home address and certify their migration from Pakistan after the India-Pakistan conflict of 1947. This documentation is crucial for the recruitment process as outlined in the notification.

A recent notification from the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) announced the recruitment of 26,146 soldiers in various paramilitary forces. The Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Assam Rifles, and Secretariat Security Force are among the participating forces. The recruitment drive is specifically for constable positions, with 23,347 posts reserved for men and 2,799 posts reserved for women.