CAPF Bill Reverses SC Order, Mandates 50% IG Rank for IPS Deputation

In May 2025, the Supreme Court recognised what thousands of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) officers had argued for years: that their careers were being stalled by a system that ensures IPS deputation to top positions in their respective forces. The Court passed a landmark judgment, which among many other things, directed the government to reduce IPS deputation. In March 2026, however, the Union government has proposed a law that appears to reverse that shift. A copy of this Bill, circulated among Rajya Sabha members on Friday, 20 March, was seen by The Quint.Likely to be tabled next week by Home Minister Amit Shah, it states that in all CAPFs, 50 percent of the total posts in the rank of Inspector General (IG), at least 67 percent posts in the rank of Additional Director General (ADG) and all posts in the rank of Special Director General and Director General (DG) shall be filled by IPS officers on deputation.CAPF Officers Won in Supreme Court. Modi Govt's New Bill Could Undo The OutcomeThe Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 introduces a sweeping legal framework to govern appointments, promotions, and cadre structure across CAPFs.It empowers the Centre to frame rules governing CAPFs by introducing a clause that allows the government to bypass existing judicial directions, including the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling.Instead of leaving deputation as a flexible administrative arrangement, the Bill fixes it into the structure:Inspector General (IG): up to 50 percent posts on deputationAdditional Director General (ADG): minimum 67 percent on deputationDirector General (DG): 100 percent deputation-basedThis makes IPS presence in senior ranks not just permissible, but mandatory.The Bill also consolidates power with the Central government to determine recruitment rules, control promotions, and define service structure. The contrast of the Bill's provisions with the May 2025 judgment is stark.The Supreme Court had:recognised CAPFs as Organised Group A Services (OGAS)directed a cadre review and rule overhauland most critically, ordered that deputation posts up to the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) be progressively reduced within two yearsWhile the Court called for phasing out deputation, the Bill locks it in.The Court pushed for internal promotions, the Bill preserves external dominance at senior levels.By Ending a 20-Year Injustice, the SC Has Given CAPF Officers Their DueCAPFs, which include forces like CRPF, BSF, and ITBP, lead operations in conflict zones, command troops on the ground, but often do not rise to the top ranks within their own forces.For years, officers have argued that IPS deputation blocks upward mobility, creating a pyramid where field command lies with CAPF officers but leadership positions remain externally controlled.The Centre has defended the move on grounds of operational efficiency, need for experienced leadership, coordination between states and the Union."Historically, Indian Police Service officers are an integral and important part of the Central Armed Police Forces, who have been serving on deputation along with officers and members of these Forces. The Central Armed Police Forces perform functions relating to national security and anti-insurgency in close coordination with the State authorities. Therefore, in the interest of maintaining Centre-State relations by ensuring close coordination between the Union and the States for effective operational functioning, it is essential to maintain the existing system of deputation of the Indian Police Service Officers in the Central Armed Police Forces," the Bill states.But critics argue that these justifications were already considered and rejected by the Supreme Court.In a previous report on this subject by The Quint, Sarvesh Tripathi — former CRPF Assistant Commandant who is now a Supreme Court Lawyer — claimed that the Centre's reasons are an eyewash. "No other service sees lateral entries to top positions via deputation...The actual point at the heart of this matter is that CAPFs are the most operational forces during elections. That is why whichever government is in power wants greater control over who leads these forces."8th Pay Commission: Will Pensioners’ Rights Now Depend on Political Will? (At The Quint, we've consistently reported on the structural issues plaguing India’s institutions and power structures. If you believe in our work, support us by becoming a member.)

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New CAPF Bill Reverses Supreme Court Order; Reserves 50% I-G rank posts for IPS

Likely to be tabled next week, the CAPF Bill enforces IPS dominance in paramilitary forces, undoing SC's directive.

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Topics: BSF IAS CRPF