SC Seeks MHA Files On CAPF Cadre Review

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Union home ministry to produce original files relating to the cadre review of five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ascertain whether the Centre had violated its 2025 order requiring completion of the exercise within six months.

Justice Manoj Mishra and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said the enactment of the new CAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026, had no bearing on the earlier direction to review the cadres.

The bench directed the ministry to produce records detailing the steps taken to comply with its May 23, 2025, judgment, including correspondence concerning cadre review proposals.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, assured the court that the government had acted in good faith and had nothing to conceal. She undertook to produce the files at the next hearing.

The court posted the contempt petition filed by CAPF officers over alleged non-compliance and the Centre's application seeking more time for the review to October 27.

It, however, declined to impose an interim ban on the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the CAPFs, observing that issuing such directions without sufficient data could create an administrative vacuum.

The dispute stems from the court's May 2025 judgment directing the Centre to complete the cadre review, pending since 2021, within six months. It had also ordered a progressive reduction in posts reserved for IPS deputation up to the Senior Administrative Grade over two years.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing CAPF officers, argued that the ministry had sought cadre review proposals only through letters dated December 26, 2025, and February 3, 2026, after the six-month deadline had expired.

He also alleged that the Centre had continued deputing IPS officers to senior CAPF posts despite the court's directions.

Ms Bhati countered that the cadre review was a lengthy exercise and had begun soon after the judgment. She pointed out that the Centre's review petition was dismissed on October 28, 2025, and that an application seeking more time had been filed in March 2026.

The new CAPF Act, which came into force on October 8, provides a common framework for the recruitment and service conditions of Group-A officers.

It also provides for 50 per cent of inspector general posts and at least 67 per cent of additional director general posts to be filled through IPS deputation. The posts of special director general and director general are also reserved for deputation.

The contempt proceedings have been initiated against Union home secretary Govind Mohan over alleged non-compliance with the 2025 judgment.