New Delhi, April 9: President Droupadi Murmu has granted her assent to the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, allowing the legislation to become law. Following this, the Act was officially notified in the Gazette of India by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
As per the notification, the Act aims to regulate the recruitment policies and service conditions for Group A General Duty officers and other personnel within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The legislation also outlines provisions for the administrative and functional aspects of the forces, as well as related matters. The government emphasized the vital role of the CAPFs in safeguarding national security, particularly in border protection and maintaining internal security throughout the country. It further stressed that these forces operate under a unique command and control structure, with operational needs distinct from other organizations.
The new law is expected to bring greater clarity and uniformity to administrative processes within the CAPFs, enhancing governance and operational efficiency.
In related developments, the Lok Sabha is slated to discuss the CAPF (General Administration) Bill, 2026, after its passage in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill proposes that 50% of the posts in the CAPFs be filled through deputation at the rank of Inspector General, with a minimum of 67% of positions in the rank of Additional Director General also filled via deputation. Moreover, all posts in the ranks of Special Director General and Director General will be exclusively filled through deputation.
Union Minister Amit Shah, expected to be in West Bengal ahead of the state elections, may have MoS Home Nityanand Rai move the Bill in the House. The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, despite a walkout staged by Opposition MPs.
Opposition members voiced concerns, arguing that the Bill contradicts a 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which recommended that the number of deputation posts in CAPFs up to the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level be progressively reduced over a period of two years.
