CAPF Bill likely in Rajya Sabha on March 25; eight-hour discussion allocated

The Central Armed Police Force (General Administration) Bill, 2026 will likely be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (March 25) after not being taken up for two days despite being initially listed for consideration on March 23, a government official said. Eight hours have been allocated for introduction and discussion of the Bill in the Upper House beginning Wednesday, a member of one of the opposition parties confirmed.

The Bill, which has been criticised by the Opposition members and retired officials, says that in CAPFs, 50% of the total posts in the rank of Inspector General, at least 67% posts in the rank of Additional Director General and all posts in the rank of Special Director General and Director General shall be filled by Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on deputation. Retired officials say the Bill is unjust as it goes against a May 23, 2025 Supreme Court judgment which granted Organised Group A Service (OGAS) status to CAPF officers and asked the government to progressively reduce IPS deputation in CAPFs up to the rank of I-Gs over the next two years.

Till now, such postings were done based on executive orders, and the Bill will codify the provisions.

Raising the matter before Zero Hour commenced in the Rajya Sabha on March 23, Trinamool Congress member Derek O Brien said that while the CAPF Bill was listed for introduction, members “did not receive 48-hour advance notice”. Following this, TMC members staged a walkout.

Around 2 p.m. the same day, the member again raised the issue asking “what happened between 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.” that the Home Ministry decided not to introduce the Bill in the house and the Appropriation Bill was being considered instead.

Retired CAPF officials have opposed the Bill stating that the government is discriminating against cadre officers who won the case after 10 years of litigation to overcome career stagnation. Due to absence of senior level posts, it takes an officer who joins as an Assistant Commandant in CAPFs, at least 15-18 years for her/his first promotion. The Home Ministry is the cadre controlling authority of CAPFs and IPS. There are around 13,000 CAPF officers in security forces such as CRPF,BSF,ITBP, SSB and CISF.

Several Opposition members from the Samajwadi Party, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the Bill.