The Union Home Ministry is contemplating “statutory intervention” on the issue of reducing the deputation of IPS officers in the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). The ministry has clarified it in its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in response to the apex court’s order to “progressively reduce” the deputation of IPS officers up to the rank of Inspector General (IG) in CAPFs.
Statutory intervention virtually means enacting a law on the issue and granting Organised Group A Services (OGAS) status to CAPF officers.
The affidavit was filed by the Home Ministry on February 9 in response to a batch of contempt petitions filed by retired CAPF officers against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on December 3, 6, and 9, 2025, for alleged non-implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders.
The Supreme Court, in its order on October 28, 2025, had directed the ministry to ‘progressively reduce’ IPS deputation in the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) in CAPFs in the next two years.
The CAPFs include the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Assam Rifles.
The SC ruling also required the Home Ministry to amend the service rules of CAPFs, complete cadre review, and extend OGAS benefits to CAPF officers within six months.
This judgement was, however, challenged by the Home Ministry, but it was dismissed by the Supreme Court, making the ruling final.
On May 23, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that Group A Executive Cadre officers of CAPFs are Organised Group A Services for all purposes.
The case was heard on February 10 by a bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan. After being told about the statutory intervention by the ministry, the bench issued a notice to the Union Home Secretary and listed the matter for further hearing on March 10.
Around 13,000 CAPF officers are likely to benefit from the top court’s judgement, leading to faster promotions and overcoming issues of stagnation.
As per the current status, 20% of posts in the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and 50% of posts in the rank of Inspector General (IG) in CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers through an executive order. The court’s ruling is expected to significantly reduce IPS deputation to CAPFs.
The matter involved the Home Ministry, as it serves as the cadre-controlling authority for both the IPS and CAPFs.
The cadre review is typically done every five years to estimate future human resources requirements and plan recruitment to avoid future promotional blocks, but the last cadre review of CAPFs was done in 2016.
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