Ex-Paramilitary Body Seeks Revival Of Subedar Major Rank In CRPF

The ranks of Lance Naik, Naik, and Subedar in the Indian Army represent the distinct Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs). 

In a representation to the Director General (DG) of the CRPF, the association’s general secretary, Ranbir Singh, while welcoming the move to invite suggestions from personnel on reviving the ranks of Lance Naik and Naik in the force to facilitate timely promotions, said the initiative reflected a positive approach towards the welfare of the organisation and urged the leadership to extend the exercise to the restoration of the Subedar Major post too.

Singh said, “The revival of these ranks should be accompanied by a broader review of the promotion structure for personnel, particularly constables, who often face limited opportunities for career advancement despite serving for decades.”

In an email sent to the CRPF DG, Singh proposed that constables should be considered for promotion to Sub-Inspector after 20 years of service and Inspector after 25 years. “Implementing such a framework would open up new avenues for career progression and address long-standing concerns over stagnation in the lower ranks,” he argued and added that the restoration of the Subedar Major post as part of this wider reform agenda would add the rank once occupied an important place in the force’s unit-level hierarchy.

“Subedar Majors were previously posted in units and Group Centres and enjoyed a distinct position in the organisational structure. The rank was traditionally identified by a crown insignia and ribbon on the shoulder, symbolising its seniority and standing among the supervisory personnel,” Singh said.

Noting that the post also carried a higher-grade pay than that of an Inspector, Singh cited the earlier pay structure, which entitled an Inspector a grade pay of Rs 4,600, while a Subedar Major received Rs 4,800.

The association has called for senior Inspectors to be promoted to the Subedar Major rank through a defined system, with an appropriate enhancement in grade pay. It believes that formally restoring the post would give experienced personnel greater recognition and establish a clearer hierarchy within the force.

A key concern raised in the representation is the existing arrangement under which an Inspector may be assigned the responsibilities of a Subedar Major at the discretion of the Battalion Commandant. Singh argued that such appointments, which can also be withdrawn at the commandant’s discretion, do not provide the institutional status and security of a formally recognised rank.

The association wants the position to be restored as a regular rank rather than remain dependent on discretionary appointments. It has argued that a structured promotion mechanism would give senior Inspectors a defined career milestone and strengthen the authority of the supervisory cadre.

The proposed changes, Singh said, would benefit not only senior personnel but also the wider unit structure, including constables, non-commissioned officers and supervisory staff. A formally designated Subedar Major, he maintained, would reinforce discipline, improve coordination and help ensure the prompt implementation of instructions issued by senior officers.

Describing the Subedar Major as a matter of pride for a battalion, the association appealed to the CRPF leadership to restore the rank’s traditional insignia and status.

The representation comes amid renewed discussion within the force over the restoration of lower ranks and the need to improve promotion opportunities. The association has urged the DG to use the ongoing exercise to address both the structural limitations affecting career progression and the loss of institutional recognition associated with the Subedar Major post.

The CRPF has invited suggestions on the revival of Lance Naik and Naik. The association’s latest demand seeks to widen that review to include the Subedar Major rank, its promotion criteria and its pay structure.