Question : Appointment-Selection of Security Guards in Banks

(a) whether the appointment of security guards in banks are outsourced;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria set for appointment/selection of security guards;

(c) the mechanism followed to regulate and check the personnels posted as security guard in banks;

(d) whether weapons provided to security guards are outdated and may lead to untoward incidents;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the corrective steps taken by the Government to provide latest weapons to security guards to provide proper safety in banks?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance


(a) to (c): As per inputs received from Public Sector Banks (PSBs), PSBs have outsourced security services, including deployment of security guards, in banks. Banks empanel private security agencies (PSAs) having valid licence under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 for the states concerned. The mechanism for regulating PSAs is as provided in the said Act, in terms of which, PSAs must fulfil the following criteria:
(i) Licence shall only be considered after due verification of antecedents.
(ii) PSA shall ensure imparting of prescribed training and skills to its private security guards and supervisors.
(iii) While engaging a supervisor of private security guards, PSA shall give preference to a person who has experience of serving in the armed forces of the Union or State Police for not less than three years.


Further, as per the Act, for being eligible to be a private security guard, he must —

(i) be a citizen of India;
(ii) have completed 18 years of age but have not attained the age of 65 years;
(iii) satisfy the PSA about his character and antecedents in prescribed manner;
(iv) complete the prescribed security training successfully; and
(v) fulfil such physical standards as may be prescribed.

In addition, as per the Act, every private security guard or supervisor must carry on his person his photo identity card.

(d) to (f): PSBs have informed that weapons provided to security guards are not outdated.
***