CAPF Bill passed by Lok Sabha as Opposition walks out over absence of Home Minister

The Central Armed Police Force (General Administration) Bill, 2026 was passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha as the Opposition walked out due to the absence of Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lower House on Thursday (April 2, 2026).

Mr. Shah is campaigning for the Assembly election in West Bengal.

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi who was in Assam for election campaigning, said that he and his party firmly stand behind the officers of the paramilitary forces. “When our government comes, we will ensure justice for you 100%,” Mr. Gandhi said in a video, posted on his X handle.

Referring to his recent meeting with CRPF officer Ajay Malik, who lost a leg during an anti-Maoist operation in Jharkhand, Mr. Gandhi alleged it is unfair that officers of the paramilitary force never get to head their own organisation. “I wanted to speak on the CAPF Bill in the House but the government brought it in a day when I was touring election-bound Assam. I had sent a word to the government that please change the dates a bit so that I can speak on it but they refused to do so,” he said.

Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, who replied to the discussion on the Bill, said the legislation will bring administrative clarity and was not against the interests of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) officers and will ensure promotion and financial benefits for the cadre. He claimed that post 2022, around 2.10 lakh CAPF personnel have been recruited.

He said that Group A officers of CAPFs get minimum four promotions in their career and the promotions are delayed due to court cases.

Opposition MPs, including those from Congress, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress, asked the government to refer the Bill to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for further deliberations.

Also Read | Why is there controversy over the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill? 

As soon as the Bill was taken up for discussion in the House, Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra moved an amendment to the Bill and sought that it be sent to the select committee for greater scrutiny.

Congress member Harish Chandra Meena said the Bill in the current form creates differences between officers and employees, which is not good for the country and internal security.

Dharmendra Yadav of the SP also demanded that the Bill be sent to the joint parliamentary committees for greater scrutiny as it is involved with internal security. The SP leader urged the government to provide the Old Pension Scheme to the Central Armed Police Forces in line with the defence forces.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore questioned the absence of Mr. Shah even though the Bill “directly impacts the future, promotions, and dignity” of CAPF personnel.

“When it comes to taking credit for controlling Left-Wing Extremism, he is front and centre — quick to claim success and pat his own back. But when it comes to defending a controversial law affecting the very forces who fought that battle, he is missing from the Lok Sabha,” he said on X, adding that a junior minister was sent to reply to the members.

“Running away from debate and outsourcing responsibility on such an important Bill is nothing short of a shame,” he added.

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

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The Bill seeks to negate a May 2025 Supreme Court judgment that asked the Union Home Ministry to “progressively reduce” IPS deputation in CAPFs up to the rank of I-Gs in the next two years.

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 their first promotion, the officials said.