Though the restructuring exercise is expected to have significant financial impact on nearly 13,000 Group ‘A’ officers in the CAPFs, including Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Assam Rifles, there is little cheer. 

For years, the executive cadres of the Central Armed Police Forces that have played a pivotal role in maintaining security within the country as well as along the borders have faced limited avenues of promotion, with only 40% of high-level posts being open to them and the majority going to Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. 

A Supreme Court verdict earlier had notified that the number of IPS officers should gradually be reduced, a move that would actually help the CAPF cadre officers to go up the ladder. 

CAPF Cadre Review

The government is now trying to review and restructure the executive cadre of the CAPFs in order to give them recognition of organised service and commensurate financial benefits. 

But the CAPF personnel have voiced their concern. The new CAPF (General Administration) Act brought in by the government earlier this year effectively nullifies a Supreme Court order directing the Centre to gradually reduce the number of IPS officers on deputation in the paramilitary forces, they said.

Sources also said that the government’s move will not change the structure significantly. 

Paramilitary personnel also noted that the new ACT is an impediment to their career progression. 

A senior CAPF cadre officer, who is currently serving as Inspector General (IG), explained that the ACT keeps the quota of IPS officers deputed to the paramilitary forces intact. 

“Our demand is that the CAPFs (General Administration) Act be scrapped. Though it was enacted to partially comply with the Supreme Court’s verdict, it nullified the apex court’s direction to gradually reduce the number of IPS officers coming on deputation to the paramilitary forces,” the officer said.

Challenging The Act

Ranbir Singh, a former IG, CRPF, and founding member of the Confederation of Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association, said: “The new CAPF Act has been challenged in the apex court again”.

He said that while it was good that the government was doing something, it should avoid “camouflaging the main issue of reduction of deputation of IPS officers in the CAPFs”.

He told The Secretariat, “Even if the Group ‘A’ CAPF cadre officers get the organised service status and their cadre gets restructured, in view of the newly enacted CAPF (General Administration) Act, career progression of the forces’ own officers will continue to remain a mirage.”       

Singh said the government should realise and recognise the stellar contributions made by CAPF personnel in keeping the country safe and peaceful. “I must mention here that the Country has become free of Naxal violence now. Who ensured it? It was the officers of the CAPFs who fought the insurgents on the ground,” he said.     

Even if the Group ‘A’ CAPF cadre officers get the organised service status and their cadre gets restructured, in view of the newly enacted CAPF (General Administration) Act, career progression of the forces’ own officers will continue to remain a mirage

– Ranbir Singh, founding member of the Confederation of Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association

Meanwhile, the long-delayed restructuring of Group ‘A’ cadres of the paramilitary forces has entered a crucial phase.

The Department of Expenditure (DoE) is examining a proposal to grant them the status of an “Organised Service”, officials said, adding that once approved, it would ensure better payouts and service conditions.

Officials say the proposal, forwarded by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is expected to be returned after the DoE completes its financial scrutiny. It would then be placed before the government’s top cadre review panel, headed by Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, for final consideration.

Currently, 100% of Director General (DG) posts in the CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers. The respective figures are 80% for Additional Director General (ADG), 60% for Inspector General (IG), and 50% for Deputy Inspector General (DIG).

Supreme Court’s Judgement  

A senior MHA official said the current exercise is in line with the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in May 2025, directing a comprehensive restructuring of the executive Group ‘A’ cadres and changes to recruitment rules in the CAPFs.

The ruling came after prolonged litigation by CAPF officers seeking greater parity in promotions and a defined career path within their respective organisations.

The Centre’s subsequent review petition was rejected by the Supreme Court in October 2025, leaving the government to proceed with implementation. 

In April 2026, however, the Parliament enacted the CAPFs (General Administration) Act, providing a legislative framework for continuing with IPS deputation in the paramilitary forces and, at the same time, restructuring the officers’ service.

The MHA thereafter asked the five forces to undertake detailed assessments of their existing cadre structures. The CAPFs submitted their proposals between May and July, following which the MHA forwarded them to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). After examination and recommendations, the DoPT sent the proposals to the DoE on 17 August for financial scrutiny.