Consider the following statements about the Indo Tibetan Border Police, also known as ITBP. Which of the statements given below are correct?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the Indo Tibetan Border Police, usually abbreviated as ITBP. It is a central armed police force of India tasked mainly with guarding the Indo China border in high altitude areas. The question presents four statements about its origin, training, deployment and present strength, and asks which ones are correct. Such questions test knowledge of contemporary security institutions, which is important for competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Statement 1: ITBP was raised in 1962.
• Statement 2: ITBP is basically a mountain trained force.
• Statement 3: ITBP replaced Assam Rifles in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh around 2004 to 2005 for border guarding duty.
• Statement 4: ITBP presently has 52 service battalions.
• We have to determine whether each of these statements is correct.

Concept / Approach:
ITBP was indeed raised in the aftermath of the 1962 India China war to guard the Himalayan borders, so statement 1 is correct. Because it operates in high altitude terrain, it is specially trained for mountain and snow conditions, which makes statement 2 correct. In the mid 2000s, ITBP took over border guarding in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh from the Assam Rifles, matching statement 3. Official data and exam oriented references state that ITBP has expanded to around 52 service battalions, confirming statement 4. Therefore, all four statements are correct, and the correct option must list 1, 2, 3 and 4 together.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Link statement 1 with the 1962 border conflict and recall that ITBP was created soon after, so it is correct. Step 2: Observe that ITBP mainly guards the Himalayan frontier and is known for high altitude training, confirming statement 2. Step 3: Remember that in 2004 to 2005, ITBP replaced Assam Rifles in certain sectors of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, making statement 3 accurate. Step 4: Note that the current structure of ITBP includes about 52 service battalions, validating statement 4. Step 5: Conclude that all four statements are correct and choose the option that lists 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that central armed police forces like ITBP, BSF, SSB and CRPF have specific roles. ITBP is explicitly associated with the Indo China border and mountain warfare. Government documents and standard exam guides mention its raising year as 1962 and highlight its high altitude capability. They also discuss the changeover from Assam Rifles to ITBP in parts of the eastern sector in the mid 2000s and list the number of battalions at around 52. All these cross checks support each of the four statements as correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1, 2 and 4 only: This wrongly leaves out statement 3, which is also correct about the shift from Assam Rifles to ITBP in border guarding duties.

3 and 4 only: This ignores the historically well established facts in statements 1 and 2 regarding the raising year and mountain trained nature of ITBP.
1, 2 and 3 only: This option wrongly excludes statement 4, even though the number of battalions stated there is correct.

Common Pitfalls:
Some test takers may mistrust any statement that mentions a specific number of battalions or a narrow time window such as 2004 to 2005 and assume that these precise details must be traps. Others may confuse ITBP with other forces like the Assam Rifles or BSF. To avoid such mistakes, keep a short list of key facts about each central armed police force and be comfortable with certain numerical details that appear regularly in exam questions.

Final Answer:
All four statements are correct, so the right option is 1, 2, 3 and 4.