Opposition MPs say Bill intends to demoralise CAPF, BJP defends the proposed legislation

Echoing the concerns of senior non-IPS officers in the Central Armed Police Forces, the Opposition argued in the Rajya Sabha on Monday (March 30, 2026) that the CAPF (General Administration) Bill went against constitutional values and principles of natural justice and demanded that it must be sent to a Select Committee for examination.

BJP leaders said the Bill is an example of the fact that the government stands with its paramilitary forces and that, unlike in the past, there are structured provisions in the Bill for promotions for an officer who joins as Assistant Commandant.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said at the Deputy Inspector General level, there would be no reservation for officers from the IPS cadre and officers who join as Assistant Commandants can become DIGs. “50% officers can reach up to Inspector General level and one-third of the officers can be posted at Additional Director General level,” he said, adding that the Bill offers a clear structure for promotions.

“It is not true to say that the Bill will have impact on the morale of the CAPF,” Mr. Trivedi said. “Four or five promotions will be available to officers from all strata,” he added.

Lawyer and Congress MP Vivek Tankha said the Bill lacked a purpose. “What was the necessity of this umbrella Bill when officers are not interested in deputation and about 18 posts of IGs are vacant in the forces?” he asked. Mr. Tankha said as an organised force, the CAPF officers were asking equal treatment and courts had agreed on this demand.

“This Bill is to negate the Supreme Court judgement and it will not succeed,” he said, adding that the Centre was trying to nullify a court order. “I don’t think the Law Ministry has vetted this Bill,” he said, noting that the provisions were against at least two orders of the Supreme Court. “This Bill is for demoralising the force,” Mr. Tankha said.

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said the provisions of the Bill went against remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 that anomalies in the CAPF structures would be addressed and the Supreme Court guidance accepted.

“In May 2025, the Supreme Court very clearly gave a judgement that slowly, within two years, the Home Ministry should phase out the deputation of IPS officers in the CAPF and enable their own officers reach those rank. However, Clause 3(1) of this Bill says that IPS deputation is a must and you [the government] are insisting upon that. Are the CAPF officers incompetent to lead their own teams?” Mr. Siva asked. “The government sought votes in their names [the CAPF] but you do not recognise them as martyrs,” he added.