UPSC Notes

Crowd Control Measures and the Use of Force

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This concept is crucial for understanding the delicate balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens' fundamental rights, the ethical and legal implications of state-sanctioned force, and the accountability of security forces in a democratic society. It directly relates to governance, internal security, and human rights issues in India.

Crowd control measures refer to techniques and tools employed by law enforcement agencies to manage large gatherings, prevent violence, and disperse unruly crowds. While often termed "non-lethal," their application, particularly of weapons like pellet guns, frequently raises significant concerns regarding human rights, proportionality of force, and the potential for severe injuries or fatalities.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Pellet Guns

Originally deployed in J&K in 2010 as a 'non-lethal' alternative, they can cause severe injuries, including blindness, especially when fired at close range or above the waist.

Evolution of Ammunition

Following widespread criticism, 'plastic bullets' were introduced in 2017 as a less lethal alternative to metal pellets, designed to be fired from existing weapons.

Other Measures

Common crowd control methods include tear gas, water cannons, pepper spray, taser guns, and shock batons, each with specific operational guidelines and potential risks.

Regulatory Oversight

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) prescribes Qualitative Requirements (QRs) for equipment like shock batons, ensuring standards for operational use by security personnel.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance
Conceptual areaInternal Security

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Rapid Action Force (RAF)Deploys crowd control measures
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)Parent body of raf, deploys crowd control measures
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)Prescribes guidelines and qrs for security equipment
Ordinance Factory, IshaporeManufactures pellet guns
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Pellet guns: 'Non-lethal' but cause severe injuries; first used in J&K (2010).
  • Plastic bullets: Introduced (2017) as less lethal alternative.
  • Other measures: Tear gas, water cannon, shock batons.
  • RAF/CRPF: Key forces deploying these measures.
  • MHA: Sets QRs for equipment like shock batons.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutoryDistinguish between constitutional bodies and statutory bodies like CAPFs, which operate under specific acts of Parliament.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & GovernanceInternal Security
Prelims 2024· Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

Why are pellet guns used as a ‘non-lethal’ crowd-control measure? | Explained

22 Jul 2026 · Crowd control measures, including pellet guns and shock batons, are used by security forces to manage protests. While intended to be non-lethal, their use has led to severe injuries and sparked debates on human rights, proportionality of force, and the need for less harmful alternatives.

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Related topics

Current topic

Crowd Control Measures and the Use of Force

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Crowd Control Measures and the Use of Force in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Crowd Control Measures and the Use of Force

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

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