Parliament likely to take up Bill to codify IPS deputation in CAPFs this session

The Central Armed Forces (General Administration) Bill is likely to be introduced in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament, a senior government official told The Hindu.

The Bill intends to codify the functioning of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and is in response to a May 2025 Supreme Court ruling that asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to “progressively reduce” the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers up to the rank of Inspector General in CAPFs in the next two years.

The Bill received the Union Cabinet’s approval on March 10.

The Hindu reported first on February 14 that MHA is considering “statutory intervention” in response to the Supreme Court order, which also ruled granting Organised Group A Services (OGAS) status to the CAPF officers. The court also asked for a time-bound review of cadre and framing of service rules in six months. The MHA had filed a review petition challenging the judgment, but the Supreme Court dismissed it on October 28, 2025, making the ruling final.

On March 9, the MHA filed an application in the top court seeking modification or extension in timeline by one more year to “complete the requisite procedural and statutory formalities in a comprehensive manner”. The Bill was presented before the Cabinet the following day.

The Ministry said that “the cadre review, which is a comprehensive and multi-layered process, requires examination at various levels of the government…and approval of the Cabinet”. It added that only after the cadre strength is reviewed for which the process started on December 26, 2025, can the service rules be amended.

The Ministry further said it is “actively examining the matter and is also considering the requirement of appropriate statutory and regulatory intervention, wherever necessary, in accordance with law”.

“The matter involves policy, financial and structural implications having long-term administrative consequences, and therefore requires careful and due consideration at each stage,” the application said.

Several retired CAPF officials have filed contempt petitions in the Supreme Court against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan for not complying with its order.

Presently, 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. Around 13,000 CAPF officers are likely to benefit from the judgment leading to faster promotions and overcoming issues of stagnation in service. The MHA serves as the cadre-controlling authority for both the IPS and CAPFs.

H.R. Singh, president, Alliance of All Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Associations said the Bill has been drafted to nullify the Supreme Court’s judgment. “We strongly condemn this one-sided step of the government and request the Prime Minister and Home Minister to have a dialogue with all stakeholders. After a prolonged legal battle, such a Bill will be very demoralising and demeaning. CAPF cadre officers definitely deserve a fair deal at the hands of the government after fighting terrorism, insurgency and Naxal violence throughout their challenging careers,” Mr. Singh said.