X Category security cover of Sachin Tendulkar was recently withdrawn. But what are these categories and what do they mean? Here is an explainer. Recently, in Maharashtra, X category security cover of Sachin Tendulkar was withdrawn by the newly formed Maharashtra Government. Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray, now a minister in the Maharashtra government and son of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was upgraded to Z category from Y+. But what is X, Y+ and Z security? What are the different categories of security provided to VIPs? Who is responsible for providing security? What is the role of the police? Here is an explainer. VVIP is an abbreviation of ‘Very Very Important Persons’, usually the President and Prime Minister of India. VIPs (‘Very Important Person’) and VVIPs may be facing threats from terrorists, militant groups or even criminal gangs. The nature of threat, however, varies depending on the individual, their position and power along with other factors. Security is also provided to Judges of the High Court and Supreme Court to facilitate decision making without any bias. Both Central and State governments extend security to individuals based on certain criteria Some important people may be facing threats by virtue of their position because of which security cover is provided to them by the government. The President, Prime Minister, Vice President, Union Ministers, Supreme Court Chief Justice and Judges, Speakers of Lok Sabha and other government functionaries who deal with subjects related to national security are some of them. The provision of security cover to such individuals falls under the purview of Union Home Ministry. There could be others who face threats at a local level and such people are extended security by the State governments. Guidelines for security arrangement are laid down in Blue Book and Yellow Book Security arrangements in case ofthe President, Vice President and Prime Minister are made as per the guidelineslaid down in the ‘Blue Book’ issued by Home Ministry. For other individualsincluding political personalities, security arrangements are made on the basisof measures mentioned in the ‘Yellow Book’ titled ‘Security arrangements forthe protection of individuals’ after threat assessment by security agencies. Fordignitaries including Members of Parliament, securityprotection on behalf of the central government is given only after threatassessment. However, state governments also have their own criteria to providesecurity to MPs. The provision of security to an individual other than thoselisted above, residing in a particular state is determined by the state government since ‘lawand order’ is a state subject as per the Indian Constitution. Every year, the government receives many requests for security cover. Based on threat assessment, it decides whether or not to provide security cover. Once a decision is taken to provide security cover, central security cover is extended or the relevant state government is requested to take necessary action. Central security agencies conduct threat assessment on a time to time basis Through threat assessment, nature and gravity of threat are determined on the basis of which the category of security cover is decided. The assessment is done on a periodic basis by the Central Security Agencies. The decision on whether to continue, withdraw or modify the existing security cover is based on the recommendation put forth by the security agencies. Special Protection Group provides security to PM and immediate family Security to Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members is governed by the Special Protection Group Act, 1988. The former PM and their immediate family members also get security cover under this act for five years from the end of their tenure. Special Protection Group or SPG was raised in 1985. Special training is imparted to SPG members to provide proximate security to PM, former PM, and their families. They also work with the Intelligence Bureau and local police force for security arrangements. Members in SPG comprise of those from the National Security Guard and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. CRPF personnel are also appointed to provide security to VIPs According to the CRPF website, about 7.5% of the CRPF personnel are deployed for providing security to VIPs mainly in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and the North-Eastern states. CRPF also provides security to Union Ministers, MPs and other important people. Apart from this, CRPF is involved in protecting vital installations, dealing with Left Wing Extremism, conducting rescue operations during disasters and more.