In Assam, the twin organisations of Home Guards and Civil Defence are clubbed under one Directorate known as Home Guards and Civil Defence Department headed by Director General of Civil Defence & Commandant General of Home Guards, Assam (Government of Assam). The Home Guards and Civil Defence organisation is a voluntary national organisation which can be categorised as Director General of Civil Defence & Commandant General of Home Guards, Assam is at the top of the organization.
One IGP, one Dy Director, two Senior Staff Officers, two Junior Staff Officers of Home Guards are working under the DGCD to help the work of the Organisations in HG matters. In Civil Defence level, one Senior Staff Officer and Junior Staff Officer is working under the DGCD to look after the work of Civil Defence matter.
During World War-II, 'Home Guards' - a voluntary citizen organisation for local defence was raised in the United Kingdom. In India, in December 1946, Home Guards were raised in Bombay to assist the Police in controlling civil disturbances and communal riots. Subsequently, this concept of a voluntary citizens force as auxiliary to the Police for maintenance of law and order and for meeting emergencies like floods, fires, famines etc was adopted by several other States. In the wake of Chinese aggression in 1962, the Centre advised the States and Union Territories to merge their existing voluntary organisations into the all-India force known as 'Home Guards' which would be voluntary both in concept and character.
The Assam Home Guards organization was divided into three Divisions in 1983 viz Upper Assam Division, Lower Assam Division and Hills Division. The Upper Assam Division with it's HQ at Jorhat, covers Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Goiaghat, Nagaon and Marigaon. Lower Assam Division with it's HQ at Guwahati covers Goalpara, Dhubri, Bangaigaon, Kokrajhar, Sildisirag, Barpeta, Nalbari, Baska, Kamrup, Darrang, Udalguri, Sonitpur, North Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Hills Division with it's HQ at Silchar, covers Karbi-Anglong, N.C. Hills, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj.
The rank and status of the Divisional Commandant is of S.P. and they have an advisory and supervisory role to play.