On Wednesday, opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha condemned the CAPF Bill, arguing that it undermined the Supreme Court's landmark judgment and was not an administrative reform, but rather an attempt to undermine the future and promotional opportunities for personnel in central armed police forces.
On Wednesday, the government introduced the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, in the Upper House, dismissing opposition notices against its introduction through a voice vote.
The bill aims to create a unified legal framework governing personnel across different CAPF forces, replacing the existing patchwork of separate service rule regimes for the five Central Armed Police Forces. However, opposition parties have raised concerns about provisions related to the appointment of IPS officers in the CAPFs.
Speaking during the debate on the Bill, Congress leader Ajay Maken said, "This bill is not an administrative reform, but an assault on the historic judgment of the Supreme Court."
The proposed legislation follows the Supreme Court's October ruling, which directed the Centre to review its 2025 verdict, which called for a reduction in IPS officer deputations in the CAPFs up to the Senior Administrative Grade and requested a cadre review within six months.
Maken accused the government of jeopardizing the future and promotions of the personnel who protect the nation at the border and in Naxal-affected areas.
Maken stated that democracy in India relies on paramilitary forces (CAPFs), as they are deployed during elections.
"The stagnation level is such that it takes 30 years to become an ADG in CISF, 20 years to become a DIG, and 15 years to become a Senior Commandant, whereas an IPS officer becomes an SP and DIG in seven years," he said.
Regarding the appointment of officers from the Indian Police Service in CAPFs, the bill states that 50 per cent of the posts will be filled through deputation at the rank of Inspector General, and at least 67 per cent of the posts will be filled through deputation at the rank of Additional Director General. Posts at the rank of Special Director General and Director General will only be filled through deputation, the bill states.
Maken pointed out that 529 personnel from paramilitary forces have died in the last five years. "Today we are stopping their promotion and encouraging stagnation; it is shameful," Maken said.
Citing various orders passed by the Supreme Court and high courts, Maken stated that the courts have repeatedly emphasized that these personnel do not receive justice.
"Why is the government trying to change this through legislation, when the Supreme Court has said that CAPF personnel should not be kept in one post for so long, in violation of Articles 14 and 16?" he asked.
"Between 2021 and 2025, 749 jawans from our paramilitary forces have committed suicide, 46,000 personnel have taken voluntary retirement, and 9,532 have resigned. These are young people who feel they don't have opportunities for growth. How are we motivating them?" Maken asked.
Congress leader Ajay Maken said that the Home Minister is not present in the House during this important debate.
"The Bill should have been sent to the Standing Committee; we are criticizing this," he said.
"The worst part of this Bill is Clause 3, which states that notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, for the time being enforced, or in any judgement, decree or order of any court, this Bill shall be implemented," he said, adding that it negates the Supreme Court judgment.
Maken said that the guardians of the borders were demanding justice, but the government was "stealing their rights through constitutional deception". He demanded that the Bill be withdrawn.
Countering this, Mahendra Bhatt of the BJP said that this Bill will simplify administrative procedures and improve transparency. The Bill emphasizes improving human resource management, which will boost the morale of CAPF personnel.
Bhatt argued that the Bill will harmonize the legal framework for personnel across five central armed police forces – CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB. The BJP member said that IPS officials have deep knowledge of policing and it will also lead to improved intelligence sharing.
He suggested that better coordination should be established with states for further strengthening internal homeland security.
Golla Baburao of the YSRCP said that the Bill is not just an administrative reform, it is a structural intervention that seeks to redefine the functioning, status, and future of the central armed police forces. He urged the government to consider sending the Bill to the Standing Committee for examination.
"For the first time since Independence, this single comprehensive legislation codifies and unifies the administrative framework governing all five major CAPFs, replacing separate rules, excessive instructions, and ad-hoc practices with clear, transparent statutory provisions," he said.
He termed it a "genuine and necessary reform."
He also suggested that some associations of former CAPF personnel have specifically requested that the Bill be sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs for wider consultation and that CAPF cadre officers be included in giving suggestions on the Bill.
"A legislation of this magnitude, one that affects the career and dignity of 10 lakh personnel, deserves the most thorough Parliamentary scrutiny. We urge the government to look into this request. A stronger consultation process will produce a stronger law," Baburao said.
He recommended the creation of a formal statutory advisory body comprising senior CAPF cadre officers to contribute to policy formulation. He also highlighted the "crisis within the CAPF", referring to the instances of suicides, and called for mandatory psychological screening for all personnel and other measures to improve their mental health.
The YSRCP MP further called for minimum guaranteed leave to be codified within the Bill and the removal of stigma surrounding mental health.
The Supreme Court had in October rejected the Centre's plea for review of the May 23, 2025, verdict by a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka (since retired) and Ujjal Bhuyan.
In the May order, the court directed the Centre to conduct a cadre review, which was due in 2021, in all the CAPFs within six months. It also directed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to take an appropriate decision within three months of receiving the action-taken report from the home ministry regarding the cadre review and a review of the existing service rules or recruitment rules.
Earlier, speaking on their notices, DMK's Tiruchi Siva said the bill was designed to nullify Supreme Court rulings that had curtailed IPS deputation in paramilitary forces.
"Every time the Supreme Court gives a judgment, Parliament overrides it. The separation of powers becomes a big question," he said.
CPI-M's John Brittas echoed this, arguing the bill suffered from a "fundamental infirmity of legislative competence." Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress called the bill "anti-federal".
