Broad gamut of duties performed by the CRPF are:

• Crowd control
• Riot control
• Counter Millitancy / Insurgency operations.
• Dealing with Left Wing Extremism
• Overall co-ordination of large scale security arrangement specially with regard to elections in distrubed areas.
• Protection of VIPs and vital installations.
• Checking environmental de-gradation and protection of local Flora and Fauna
• Fighting aggression during War time
• Participating in UN Peace Keeping Mission
• Rescue and Relief operations at the time of Natural Calamities.

Besides Law and Order and counter insurgency duties, the role of CRPF in the General Elections, held repeatedly during the past few years, has been very significant and vital. This is especially true for the trouble torn States of J&K, Bihar and States of North East. During the  Parliamentary elections of Sept'99, the CRPF played a major role in the security arrangements.

One of the vital roles of the CRPF, which is not very evident, is guarding vital Central Govt. installations such as Airport, Power houses, Bridges, Doordarshan  Kendras, All India Radio Stations, residence of Governers and Chief Ministers, Nationalised Banks and other Government establishments in  insurgency affected States. The CRPF is ensuring the safety of the democratic institutions, and preventing the take over of civil society by the militants, in these highly disturbed areas. This contribution of the CRPF, though not very visible, is nonetheless very vital.

7.5% of the Force is deployed for the security of VIPs mostly in North-Eastern States, J&K, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh which include Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, MsP and MsLA of J&K, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram. CRPF is also providing security (Static guard) at the residence/office of Prime Minister of India, various Union Ministers and MsP and other dignitaries.

             17.5% of the Force is deputed for guarding the important installations of Central and State Govts mostly in insurgency affected areas which includes Secretariats, Doordarshan Kendras, Telephone exchanges, Banks, Hydroelectric projects, Jails etc. CRPF is also deployed for the security of Parliament House.

            10 Coys of CRPF are deployed for the security of three sensitive shrines i.e. Krishna Janma Bhoomi, Shahi Idgah Masjid complex (Mathura), Ram Janma Bhoomi- Barbi Masjid complex (Ayodhya) and Kashi Vishwanath Temple- Gyanvapi Mosque (Varanasi). 4 Coys of the Force are deputed for the security of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra, Jammu (J&K).

             CRPF is the only Para Military Force in the Country which has two Mahila (Ladies) Battalions. After its training in March 1987, 88(M) Bn won laurels for its work assisting the  Meerut riots and later with the IPKF in Srilanka. Personnel of second Mahila battalion (135 Bn) performed creditably during the Lok Sabha elections 1996 in many states. At present mahila personnel are deployed in active duty in Jammu & Kashmir, Ayodhya, Manipur, Assam and other parts of the country where they are doing commendable job. In addition each RAF battalion has a Mahila (Ladies) component consisting of 96 personnel.