The NSG's roles include protecting VIPs, conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, Bomb disposal (search, detection and neutralisation of IEDs), neutralizing terrorist threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists and responding to hijacking and piracy.

Recent important NSG operations are

# September 25, 2002 - Operation Vajra Shakti to free hostages held by terrorists who had killed 26 worshippers at the Akshardham temple in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. They suffered their first combat death in this operation. Another commando, who was seriously injured and was in a coma, died after 18 months.

# November 2008 Mumbai attacks - Operation Black Tornado, Operation Cyclone to flush out terrorists & rescue hostages after multiple attacks across Mumbai, India. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havaldar Gajender Singh of Special Action Group lost their lives during the operations.