Security space in India consists of several tiers, and within them Z+ security emerges as a more protective and strong shield cover of security. However, Z+ security holders in India are provided to individuals with special status. Security is provided depending on the situation, threat perception, and for several other reasons. The security world is divided into 6 tiers, namely, SPG, Z+, Z, Y+, Y, & X.
These are the types of security levels provided to VIPs of India-
| Security Level | No. of Commandos | Total Personnel (Attendees) | Motorcade |
| SPG | Classified (details are only provided to Prime Minister) | Classified (details are only provided to Prime Minister) | Classified (details are only provided to Prime Minister) |
| Z+ | 10+ | 55 | 5+ bulletproof vehicles, most of them are cars & vans. |
| Z | 4-5 | 22 | 5+ vehicles, and out of which one of them is at least a bullet proof. |
| Y+ | 2-4 | 11 | Are provided with 2-3 vehicles. |
| Y | 1-2 | 8 | Provided with 1-2 vehicles. |
| X | Nil | 2 | Has a vehicle between 0-2 count. |
What is Z+ Security?
Z+ security is termed as the highest level of security provided to certain individuals who are subjected to face an extremely high level of threats in their life. This level of security is provided when the safety of certain individuals is of utmost national importance.
Z+ security covers a dedicated team of trained personnels, that are equipped with advanced weapons, machines, devices, etc. The aim of Z+ security is to create a more protective and robust shield around the specific individuals, preventing and eliminating any potential risks.
This security level also covers protective measures like advanced surveillance and intelligence. Individuals allotted with Z+ security cover are not allowed to travel alone and are subjected to reveal their travel plans and security details in advance.
The commandos or the personnels in the Z+ level are majorly drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces, such as the Central Reserve Police Force, & Border Security Force.
(1) Narendra Modi
The honorable Prime Minister of India is one of the high-profile and important people of India. His full name is Narendra Damodardas Modi, born on September 17, 1950. He led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, and after that he was elected as the Prime Minister of India.
Before becoming the prime minister of India, he was a member of parliament for Varanasi and the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. Apart from having Z+ security, Narendra Modi has always been under SPG protection. Under SPG protection, the commandos, attendees, and the shooters have orders and are subjected to remain 24X7 with the prime minister.
The officers on duty are capable of shooting or killing the terrorists just within a blink of an eye. The motorcade or the convoy of vehicles contains 2 armored BMW 7 Series sedans, 6 BMW X5 and a Mercedes Benz ambulance.
(2) Amit Shah
The person who is known as the Chanakya of modern Indian politics. The home minister of India Amit Shah whose full name is Amit Anilchandra Shah was born on October 22, 1964. He gets Z+ security and is also protected by around 100 CRPF commandos.
Amit Shah is a major member of the party and is considered to be a close person to Narendra Modi, he is recognized, credited as the party president who is leading the party BJP to stages of victory in several elections.
Apart from this, Amit Shah is also provided with security at his residence and office by ASL (Advanced Security Liaison). These forces and security ensure the utmost safety for the minister booth at his residence and office.
(3) Rajnath Singh
The defense minister of India since 2019, is also an Indian politician and lecturer. He is also the deputy leader of the house, Lok Sabha since 2014. He belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) and was a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Apart from this, he was also a cabinet minister and has served as the president of the BJP twice. He earlier enjoyed the security from the NSGs but now an exceptional protocol is being followed for him and in 2014 his security got upgraded and was allotted Z+ security.
Rajnath Singh was the 8th President of Bharatiya Janata Party from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2014. He is a veteran leader of the BJP who started his career as a RSS Swayamsevak.
(4) M.K. Stalin
The DMK home minister M.K. Stalin already had Z security cover, but in 2014 his security cover got upgraded and was allotted Z+ security cover from the CRPF, according to which he has been allotted 28 security persons in various shifts plus a pilot and escort vehicle.
The decision was taken after his father M.Karunanidhi, the then chief of DMK’s request to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, about the death threats to Stalin’s life.
For now, Stalin has been the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party since 28 August 2018.
(5) Arvind Kejriwal
The current chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal was allotted with Z+ security after his historic win in Delhi elections in 2015.
However, he refuses to take such security but insisted by officials of Delhi government, the minister accepts the security cover, but with that officials of Delhi government has promised that this security cover will not affect his freedom of movement.
Before entering into this political sphere, he had worked in the Indian Revenue Service as a Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in New Delhi. In 2012, he launched his own political party named the Aam Aadmi Party, which won in the 2013 Delhi Legislative Assembly election.
Following that on 14 February 2015, he took the pledge as Chief Minister for a second term after his party’s victory in the Delhi Legislative Assembly election.
(6) Yogi Adityanath
Another one on the list is Yogi Adityanath, the current chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. He was provided with the Z+ security in 2017, after this win in UP elections.
Before that he had Y category security, under which he was provided with 2 or 3 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) commandos. But now he’ll be provided and observed by 36 commandos every time.
The security cover will be provided by a special commando team of the CISF along with a small contingent of the Uttar Pradesh police.
(7) Uddhav Thackerey
In 2018, Maharashtra government upgraded the security level for the Shiv Sena minister Uddhav Thackerey, and allotted him the Z+ security cover. Earlier the president of Shiv Sena was having the Z category security. With this the number of commandos, personnel’s, has also increased.
Under Z+ security, he has been allotted a bulletproof car, a police inspector, two assistant police inspectors, two police sub-inspectors, two escort vehicles with six constables in each, and 10 other constables at any given point of time.
According to the senior officials, his son and Yuva Sena Chief and now general secretary of Shiv Sena, Aaditya Thackeray, has also been moved from Y category to Y-plus category . The decision was taken based on an intelligence report.
(8) Sonia Gandhi
In 2019, the government announced that they’ll be providing the Gandhi family with the Z+ security, after withdrawing SPG security cover from them. The SPG force that contains around 3,000 commandos was subject to provide their services to only the prime minister of India.
Under Z+ security, each of the Gandhi’s i.e. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be guarded with the protection from 100 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
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(9) Pinarayi Vijayan
This is the recent name that got added to the list of Z+ security lines. In 2022, the chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan was allotted the Z+ security by the government. The decision was taken due to the then on-going protests and allegations amid the gold smuggling case.
Not only has the state government tightened the security of CM, but for other ministers too high security was allotted.
Apart from the Z+ security, the CM will also be having security cover of State Industrial Security Force (SISF). Amid the gold smuggling case, over 500 policemen from Armed forces, local police, SISF and Rapid Action Force were deployed for the CM’s security at Cliff House and secretariat.
(10) Mukesh Ambani
The most recent that got its name placed in the list of Z+ security holders is Mukesh Ambani. As of the latest in 2023, the Supreme Court Of India, ordered the authorities to provide the Ambani family with the Z+ security, following the intelligence reports of threats about them.
Under Z+ category the Ambani’s will be provided with a detail of 55 personnel including more than 10 NSG commandos and police officers.
Before that, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Group has been provided with the security cover by CRPF commandos under the Z security category, and his wife Nita Ambani too had a security cover of Y category, under which there are less number of commandos.
Note: In January 2024, Kerala governor Arif Mohammed recieved Z+ security cover. Amit Shah extended the Z security cover of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), after the Kerala’s governor faced protests from activists, that allegedly belongs to Student Federation of India (ISFI) in Kollam.
Summing Up: Most Powerful Z+ Security Holders In India
In the showdown of the most powerful Z+ security holders in India, it unveils a fascinating tale between the important major names and the highest security level of protection provided to them. This security level not only serves as the guardians of the high profile major individuals but also as symbols of nations high security against potential threats.
