The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, that was approved by the Union Cabinet and is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha next week, strongly favours deputation of IPS officers to the CAPFs. According to this Bill, 50% of the total posts in the rank of IG, at least 67% of the posts in the rank of Additional Director General (ADG) and Director General (DG) will be filled by IPS officers on deputation. Besides, only IPS officers will fill all posts in the rank of Special Director General.

Till now, such postings were done based on executive orders, but the Bill now aims to codify the provisions.

The Bill, which was circulated among Rajya Sabha members late on Friday, virtually defies the Supreme Court’s May 23, 2025, verdict, which directed the central government to “progressively reduce” IPS deputation in CAPFs up to the rank of IGs in the next two years.

A number of retired CAPF officials, who had moved the contempt petition against the govt for not complying with the apex court’s order, have now opposed the Bill. They feel that the government is discriminating against cadre officers who won the case after 10 years of litigation to overcome career stagnation.

There is no doubt strong substance in their arguments because in the absence of opportunities to be promoted to senior-level posts, it takes a CAPF officer, who joins it as an Assistant Commandant, at least 15-18 years for her/his first promotion.

The Bill says that it is considered necessary to enact an umbrella law to regulate the recruitment and conditions of service of Group A General Duty Officers and other officers appointed to the CAPFs with a view to ensure legislative clarity, preserve their operational distinctiveness, and harmonize judicial directions with administrative and federal requirements.

The argument given by the Union Govt in favour of IPS officers’ deputation to the CAPFs is that as the CAPFs perform functions of national security in close coordination with state authorities in the interest of maintaining the Centre-State relationship, the IPS officers are necessary for the effective functioning of these forces.

The statement of objects says that the Bill was being brought to “avoid unnecessary litigations.” It reasons out that in the absence of an umbrella law, regulatory provisions have resulted in several litigations on service-related matters, leading to some functional and administrative difficulties.

It also added that under Article 312 of the Constitution, IPS is an All India Service, and “historically, IPS officers are an integral and important part of the CAPFs.”

The CAPF officers have argued that despite leading operations from the front and having been killed in the line of action, they face career stagnation, and most times the first promotion comes only after 15-18 years of service.

Presently, 20% of posts in the rank of DIG and 50% of posts in the rank of IG in CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers.

The total strength of CAPFs is around 10 lakh, which includes 13,000 Group A cadre officers. The Parliament was recently informed that there are around 93,000 vacancies in all ranks in CAPFs.

The Supreme Court in its May 2025 order had ruled that Group A Executive Cadre officers of CAPFs are Organised Group A Services (OGAS) for all purposes. Besides progressively reducing the IPS deputation in CAPFS up to the level of I-Gs in the next two years, the court asked for a time-bound review of cadre and service rules in six months.

But the Union Government challenged the top court judgment, seeking review of the order, which was dismissed by the Supreme Court on October 28, 2025. It meant the top court verdict was final, but this Bill negates it completely.