The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026—expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday—fixes the number of IPS officers on deputation across various levels in the CAPF and introduces a unified law with a single framework for all five CAPFs. The government notes in the bill that IPS officers are essential for effective functioning and coordination between the Centre and States. (CISF | Official X account). This development occurs despite protests from CAPF associations, which have opposed the long-standing practice of deputing IPS officers to senior positions. The associations had petitioned the Supreme Court, which on May 23, 2025, directed the government to “progressively reduce” the deployment of IPS officers up to the rank of inspector generals in CAPFs. However, the government argued in the bill that IPS officers are essential for smooth operations and coordination between the Centre and States. “Central Armed Police Forces carry out national security duties in close collaboration with State authorities; to preserve Centre-State relations and ensure tight coordination between the Union and the States, Indian Police Service officers are vital for the effective performance of these forces,” stated the bill’s statement of objects and reasons. Also Read: Centre to deploy 480 CAPF companies for West Bengal assembly elections. The draft bill, which formalizes the deputation of IPS officers, requires that 67% of Additional Director General (ADG) posts be filled by IPS officers on deputation, 50% at the Inspector General (IG) level, and 100% at the Special Director General (SDG) and Director General (DG) ranks. “In case of any inconsistency between any rule made under this Act with any other rule or Order, whether made or issued before or after the commencement of this Act, the rules made under this Act shall prevail,” the draft bill states. On Friday, members of the Alliance of All Ex Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association held a press conference, calling for the draft bill to be referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs for consultation. HR Singh, a former CRPF Additional Director General (ADG) who was a cadre officer and alliance member, said, “If the government has decided to introduce a bill to circumvent the Supreme Court judgment, that bill should at least be sent to the Parliamentary Committee.” Input from all stakeholders should be gathered. Retired CAPF officers contend that career stagnation and the induction of external IPS officers result in very few non-IPS officers attaining the Additional Director General (ADG) rank in CAPFs. For instance, all four ADG positions in BSF that are sanctioned are occupied by IPS officers from the 1995-97 batches. The most senior BSF cadre officer, from the 1987 batch, remains an IG. In the ITBP, none of the three ADG positions are occupied by CAPF cadre officers.
