CAPF Law Comes Into Force Amid Officers’ SC Challenge
The CAPF General Administration Act, 2026, has come into force as officers challenge its provisions on recruitment, promotions and deputation in the Supreme Court.
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, which provides a common framework for recruitment and service conditions of Group-A general duty officers and other CAPF officers, came into force on Thursday.
A gazette notification issued by the Union home ministry appointed October 8, 2026, as the date on which the Act’s provisions would take effect.
The law governs recruitment, promotion, deputation and other service conditions in the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal.
Its commencement comes while the Supreme Court is hearing petitions filed by thousands of CAPF officers challenging the validity of the legislation, passed by Parliament in April.
In a recent affidavit, the Centre told the court that the Act regulated appointments of Group-A general duty officers and “expressly empowers” the Union government to prescribe recruitment methods, including deputation, and service conditions in the five forces.
Cadre officers have challenged the law, including through a contempt petition, contending that it continues to restrict their career progression compared with Indian Police Service officers brought in on deputation.
They have sought implementation of the Supreme Court’s May 2025 judgment directing that IPS deputation up to the rank of inspector general be progressively reduced within two years to provide more opportunities to cadre officers. The court had noted that delayed promotions could adversely affect the forces’ morale and had directed a cadre review.
Under the Act, 50 per cent of inspector general posts are to be filled through deputation from the IPS. At least 67 per cent of additional director general posts are to be filled through deputation.
Posts at the ranks of special director general and director general are to be filled exclusively through deputation.
In October 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed the Centre’s petition seeking a review of its May judgment.
In the legislation’s statement of objectives, the government said the absence of an umbrella law had led to fragmented regulatory provisions, litigation over service matters and functional and administrative difficulties.
The Act replaces that fragmented framework with a common legislative framework for officers in the five forces.
A group of retired CAPF officers has also approached the Supreme Court with a contempt plea against then home secretary Govind Mohan, alleging non-implementation of the court’s October 2025 order.
The group said legislative changes affecting the forces’ command structure, service conditions and leadership opportunities would have implications for institutional morale and the operational effectiveness of forces responsible for internal and border security.