The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, a significant piece of legislation aimed at bringing uniformity to recruitment, deputation, promotions, and service conditions of senior officers across India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Introduced in the Upper House on March 25, the Bill proposes a comprehensive legal framework to regulate Group A General Duty officers and other senior personnel. The government said the move addresses long-standing issues arising from a fragmented regulatory system that has led to litigation and administrative hurdles in recent years.
Under the new law, the Central government will have the authority to frame rules governing recruitment, deputation, promotions, and service conditions across five major CAPFs — the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The legislation also allows for its scope to be extended to other forces through notification.
A key provision of the Bill grants overriding powers to the Central government to frame rules regardless of existing laws or court orders, while ensuring that current rules and financial benefits remain valid until updated.
The legislation also formalises the deputation system for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in CAPFs. It stipulates that half of Inspector General-level posts, at least two-thirds of Additional Director General roles, and all Director General and Special Director General positions will be filled through IPS deputation.
In the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the critical role of CAPFs in national security, including border protection, counter-insurgency, and internal security operations. He noted that these forces also support the armed forces during wartime. “These forces are also designed to supplement the Armed Forces of the Union during war,” he noted.
Shah emphasised that CAPFs require a strict command structure and functional hierarchy, distinguishing them from other organisations. He also underscored the longstanding role of IPS officers in these forces, calling their deputation essential for maintaining coordination between the Centre and states. “In the interest of maintaining Centre-State relations and ensuring seamless operational functioning, it is necessary to retain the existing system,” he said.
The government said the new law aims to resolve inconsistencies stemming from multiple, evolving service rules across CAPFs. By introducing a unified legal framework, it seeks to reduce disputes, improve administrative clarity, and ensure smoother coordination.
The passage of the Bill marks a major step in reforming the administrative structure of CAPFs, with the government asserting that it will boost efficiency, minimise legal ambiguity, and strengthen India’s internal security framework.