Intense heat-related exhaustion has prompted the National Security Guard (NSG) to recommend a new “breathable” uniform for its black cat commandos, who provide VIP security to some of the country’s high-risk personalities.
The move followed an incident in April when a commando deployed in the close protection of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu fainted. It was almost 44 degrees that day in Vijayawada when the commando, wearing a bulletproof jacket over his black overall uniform, a black beret on his head, and small arms holstered around his waist, suffered heatstroke and exhaustion, the officials said.
The decision followed a careful review by NSG close protection force commanders and specialists at force HQ. It was a very hot day in Vijayawada, with temperatures around 44 degrees. The commando wore his usual black overalls, a fairly heavy 6 kg ballistic vest, a black beret, a sidearm, and all his kit. Later, viral videos showed Naidu speaking to the media as the flanking officer collapsed. The other personnel were on hand to catch him as he went down.
NSG officials found that the traditional black overalls, valued for their tactical look and psychological impact, absorb and hold heat very quickly. When combined with the vest, sunglasses, and radio equipment, there is little chance for the body to cool down. As temperatures rise across much of the country, what used to be a minor discomfort has become a regular risk for those protecting high-profile individuals for long hours.
The NSG has chosen Nyco, a nylon-cotton blend already used by CoBRA battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force during long jungle missions in tough heat and humidity. This fabric lets air and moisture pass through, helping wearers stay cooler while remaining durable and maintaining the dark look needed for close protection. After internal testing, the NSG plans to order the material soon. The new uniforms should be ready by the time assembly elections are announced in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa early next year, when many protectees will be travelling.
Currently, the NSG provides Z-plus security to nine high-profile people: Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior BJP leader LK Advani, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
The two Special Ranger Groups, 12 and 14, draw personnel from different central armed police forces and work under the NSG’s broader role in counter-terrorism, counter-hijacking, and VIP security.
The change is small in scale but significant. The black has long been both a symbol and a uniform, easily seen at airports and at various political homes.
From heat-trapping black to breathable: NSG’s big uniform switch
The switch to a fabric selected for heat resistance rather than appearance clearly indicates that climate stress is now a real issue the force must address. Commanders have said this change will not affect the unit’s readiness.
The commandos will still carry the same weapons, vests, and radios as before, but now in uniforms designed to help them deal with the heat (one officer previously fainted on duty because of it).
The timeline for getting the new uniforms is tight if they are to be ready for the early-2027 election cycle. Still, the April incident has already made the issue a priority. What started as one fainting episode in Vijayawada has now led to a clear recommendation: the next group of black cats will be able to breathe a little easier while protecting the country’s most important people.