**Executive Summary**
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on March 25, 2026, to establish an umbrella law regulating the recruitment and service conditions of Group A General Duty Officers. The Bill aims to provide legislative clarity, preserve operational distinctiveness, and harmonize judicial directions with administrative requirements. It specifically mandates deputation quotas for higher ranks and grants the Central Government power to frame rules that override existing inconsistent laws or court orders.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Scope and Definitions**
* **Applicability:** The Act applies to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) specified in the First Schedule: CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
* **Group A General Duty Officer:** Defined as an officer of the rank of Assistant Commandant and above.
* **Definition of "Officer":** Includes Group A General Duty Officers, Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on deputation, Indian Army officers on deputation/re-employment, and other officers recruited under specified rules.
**Regulation of Service Conditions**
* **Rule-Making Power:** The Central Government is empowered to make rules regarding the method, manner, and mode of recruitment, promotion, and deputation.
* **Overriding Effect:** Rules made under this Act shall prevail over any inconsistent laws, court judgments, decrees, or prior government orders.
* **Savings Clause:** Existing recruitment rules and financial benefits granted before the Act's commencement will continue until modified or superseded.
**Deputation Quotas for Higher Ranks**
* **Inspector General (IG):** 50% of posts are to be filled by deputation from the IPS.
* **Additional Director General (ADG):** A minimum of 67% of posts are to be filled by deputation from the IPS.
* **Special Director General and Director General:** 100% of these posts must be filled by deputation only.
**Administrative and Legislative Provisions**
* **Power to Amend Schedules:** The Central Government may notify changes to the list of CAPFs (First Schedule) or recruitment rules (Second Schedule).
* **Parliamentary Oversight:** Every rule or notification made under this Act must be laid before both Houses of Parliament for a period of thirty days.
* **Removal of Difficulties:** The Central Government has a three-year window from the Act's commencement to issue orders to resolve implementation difficulties.
**Impact Analysis**
**Central Government (Ministry of Home Affairs)**
**Impact:** Gains centralized authority to regulate CAPF service conditions through an umbrella legislative framework rather than fragmented rules.
**Action Required:** Notify the commencement date of the Act and frame specific rules for recruitment, promotion, and deputation as per the Act's provisions.
**Indian Police Service (IPS) Officers**
**Impact:** Statutory reservation of high-level leadership positions (IG to DG) in the CAPFs is codified, ensuring continued roles in national security and internal security coordination.
**Action Required:** Officers must continue to fill designated deputation quotas as per the mandated percentages (50% for IG, min 67% for ADG, and 100% for SDG/DG).
**Group A General Duty Officers (CAPF Cadre)**
**Impact:** Their recruitment and career progression will be governed by a unified law intended to reduce litigation and provide operational clarity.
**Action Required:** Adhere to the new rules and conditions of service once notified by the Central Government.
**Parliament of India**
**Impact:** Responsible for reviewing all rules and notifications issued under the Act to ensure they align with legislative intent.
**Action Required:** Review and potentially modify rules laid before both Houses within the specified 30-day period.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026: A proposed umbrella legislation to regulate the recruitment, conditions of service, and deputation of Group A General Duty Officers across various armed forces of the Union.
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF): The collective body of armed forces (including CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB) responsible for national security, border protection, and internal security.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The primary central ministry designated as the 'Central Government' under the Act, responsible for the administration and regulation of the CAPFs.
Indian Police Service (IPS): An All India Service whose officers are mandated for senior leadership positions in the CAPFs through specific deputation quotas defined in the Act.
First Schedule: The section of the Act identifying the specific governing statutes of the constituent forces (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB) to which this legislation applies.
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___________
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
The following Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on the 25th March, 2026:-
RAJYA SABHA
___________
The following Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on the 25th March 2026:—
BillNo.XLI of 2026
BILL NO. XLI OF 2026
A Bill to regulate the general rules governing the recruitment and conditions of service
of Group A General Duty Officers and other officers in the Central Armed
Police Forces and other rules regarding these forces, and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
WHEREAS the Central Armed Police Forces are performing important
fu\nctions of national security and are deployed for securing borders and maintaining
internal security of the Union and the States and connected matters;
AND WHEREAS the Central Armed Police Forces are primarily armed troops
performing armed duties in the field with strict command and control mechanism
and a functional hierarchy;
AND WHEREAS the operational and functional requirements of the Central
Armed Police Forces are distinct from other organisations;2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
AND WHEREAS the recruitment and conditions of service of Group A General
Duty Officers and other officers and members of theCentral Armed Police Forces
are governed by the rules made under the respective Acts specified in the First
Schedule;
AND WHEREASthe Central Armed Police Forces perform functions of national
security in close coordination with State authorities;
AND WHEREAS in the interest of maintaining Centre-State relationship and
ensuring close coordination between the Union and the States, the Indian Police
Service Officers are necessary for effective functioning of these forces;
AND WHEREASit is considered necessary to enact an umbrella law to regulate
the recruitment and conditions of service of Group A General Duty Officers and
other officers appointed to the Central Armed Police Forces and other rules
regarding these forces, with a view to ensuring legislative clarity, preserving its
operational distinctiveness, and harmonising judicial directions with administrative
and federal requirements.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of
India as follows:––
1. (1) This Act may be called the Central Armed Police Forces (General
Short title and
commencement. Administration) Act, 2026.
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
Definitions. 2.(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “Central Armed Police Force” means an armed force of the Union
constituted under any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule;
(b) “Central Government” means the Ministry of Home Affairs in the
Government of India;
(c) “Group A General Duty Officer” means Group A (general duty or
executive) officer of the rank of Assistant Commandant and above in the
Central Armed Police Force;
(d) “notification” means a notification published in the Official
Gazette and the expression “notify” or “notified” shall be construed
accordingly;
(e)“officer” means Group A General Duty Officer and includes—
(i)anofficer of the Indian Police Service on deputation; or
(ii) an officer of the Indian Army on deputation or
re-employment; or
(iii) such other officers recruited under the rules specified in the
Second Schedule,
in the CentralArmed Police Force;
(f) “Order” means any instruction issued by any department of the
Government of India whether called as Office Memorandum or by any
other name.
(2)Words and expressions used and not defined in this Act but defined in the
Acts specified in the First Schedule shall have the meanings respectively assigned
to them in those Acts.
Regulation of
3.(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in anyotherlaw for the time being
recruitment and in force, or in—
conditions of
service. (a)any judgment, decree or order of any court; or
(b)any Order issued from time to time,Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 3
the Central Government may, by notification, make rules to provide for the method,
manner and mode of recruitment including promotion and deputation and the
conditions of service of officers in the Central Armed Police Force:
Provided that the rules regulating the recruitment of Group A General Duty
Officers as specified in the Second Schedule, shall continue to be in force unless
and until they are modified, amended, rescinded or superseded, keeping in view the
functional and operational requirements of the Central Armed Police Force:
Provided further that for the purposes of appointment of officers from the
Indian Police Service in the ranks of Inspector General and above, such rules shall
provide for––
(a) fifty per cent. of the posts to be filled by deputation in the rank of
Inspector General; and
(b) a minimum of sixty-seven per cent. of the posts to be filled by
deputation in the rank of Additional Director General:
Provided also that the posts in the ranks of Special Director General and
Director General shall be filled by deputation only.
(2) The Central Government may, by notification, make such other rules for
the Central Armed Police Forces for achieving the objectives of this Act.
(3) In case of any inconsistency between any rule made under this Act with
any other rule or Order, whether made or issued before or after the commencement
of this Act, the rules made under this Act shall prevail.
4.(1) The Central Government may, if it is of the opinion that it is necessary Power to amend
or expedientin the public interest so to do, by notification,— Schedules.
(a)add any other Act governing a new armed force of the Union or any
existing armed force of the Union in the First Schedule, or alter or amend the
said Schedule; or
(b) add a new rule in the Second Schedule or alter or amend the said
Schedule,
and thereupon, the First Schedule or the Second Schedule shall be deemed to be
amended accordingly.
(2) Every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as
may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament.
5.Any financial benefits granted to Group A General Duty Officers under any Savings.
Order issued before the date of commencement of this Act shall continue to be so
granted till such time new Orders are issued in this regard.
6.(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying Power to make
out the purposes of this Act. rules.
(2)Every rule made under this Act shall be laid,as soon as may be after it is
made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session for a total period of
thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive
sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session
or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification
in the rule, or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall
thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may
be; so,however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice
to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.
7. The provisions of this Act shall have effect, notwithstanding anything Provisions of
inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force or any Act to have
overriding
instrument having effect by virtue of any such law.
effect.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
Power to remove 8.(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the
difficulties.
Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such
provisions,not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,as may appear to it to be
necessaryor expedientfor removing the difficulty:
Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of three
years from the commencement of this Act.
(2)Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after
it is made, before each House of Parliament.Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 5
THE FIRST SCHEDULE
[Seesections 2(1)(a), 2(2) and 4(1)]
Sl. No. Central Armed Police Force Acts
1. The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949(66 of 1949).
2. The Border Security Force Act, 1968(47 of 1968).
3. TheCentral Industrial Security Force Act, 1968(50 of 1968).
4. The Indo-TibetanBorder Police Act, 1992(35 of 1992).
5. The Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007(53 of 2007).6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
THE SECONDSCHEDULE
[Seesections 2(e)(iii), 3(1)and 4(1)]
Sl. No. Name of the rules
1. (i) The Central Reserve Police Force Group “A” (General Duty)
Officers Recruitment Rules, 2010.
2. (i) The Border Security Force Group ‘A’ (General Duty Officers)
Recruitment Rules, 2017.
(ii) The Border Security Force Group ‘A’ (General Duty Officers)
Recruitment Rules, 2015.
3. (i) The Central Industrial Security Force, Assistant Commandant
(Executive),Recruitment Rules, 2009.
(ii) The Central Industrial Security Force (Group ‘A’ Executive
Cadre Recruitment Rules, 2002).
(iii) The Central Industrial Security Force, Group ‘A’ posts
(Executive Cadre) Recruitment Rules, 2010.
(iv) The Central Industrial Security Force, Additional Director
General,RecruitmentRules, 2020.
(v) The Central Industrial Security Force, Director General,
Recruitment Rules, 2003.
4. (i) The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, General Duty Cadre
(Group ‘A’Posts) Recruitment Rules, 2018.
(ii) The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Additional Director
General (General Duty) Recruitment Rules, 2020.
5. (i) The Sashastra Seema Bal Group‘A’Combatised (General Duty)
Director General, Additional Director General, Inspector General,
Deputy Inspector General and Commandant Posts Recruitment
Rules, 2013.
(ii)The Sashastra Seema Bal Group ‘A’Combatised (General Duty)
Second-in-Command, Deputy Commandant and Assistant
Commandant Posts Recruitment Rules, 2012.Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 7
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The Central Armed Police Forces play a vital role in maintaining national
security and discharging important functions such as securing the borders of the
country, undertaking anti-insurgency operations and maintaining internal security
of the Union and the States and matters connected therewith. These Forces are also
designed to supplement Armed Forces of the Union during war.
2. The Central Armed Police Forces primarily comprise ground troops who
perform armed duties in the field. Owing to the nature of armed duties performed
by these Forces, they are required to have strict command and control mechanism
and functional hierarchy. Accordingly, they are structured as
Sections/Platoons/Companies/Battalions and higher field formations. Having
regard to the requirement of their operational command structure, the organisational
framework of the Central Armed Police Forces differs from that of other
organisations.
3. Under article 312 of the Constitution, the Indian Police Service is an All
India Service, and the officers of the Service are posted in the Union and the States.
Historically, Indian Police Service officers are an integral and important part of the
Central Armed Police Forces, who have been serving on deputation along with
officers and members of these Forces. The Central Armed Police Forces perform
functions relating to national security and anti-insurgency in close coordination with
the State authorities. Therefore, in the interest of maintaining Centre-State relations
by ensuring close coordination between the Union and the States for effective
operational functioning, it is essential to maintain the existing system of deputation
of the Indian Police Service Officers in the Central Armed Police Forces.
4. The Central Armed Police Forces are governed by the respective Acts of
the Parliament. The recruitment and conditions of service of Group AGeneral Duty
Officers and other officers and members in the Central Armed Police Forces are
governed by the rules made under these Acts.
5.In view of expanding functional and operational requirements, the distinct
organisational structure of these Forces have evolved over a period of time. In recent
years, due to absence of an umbrella law, regulatory provisions have evolved in a
fragmented manner resulting in several litigations on service-related matters,
leading to some functional and administrative difficulties. Considering the nature
and purposes of the Central Armed Police Forces and to avoid unnecessary
litigations, there is a need to lay down an umbrella law to regulate the recruitment,
deputation, promotion and other conditions of services of Group A General Duty
Officers and other officers appointed in these Central Armed Police Forces and other
rules regarding these Forces, to ensure legislative clarity, preserving their distinct
operational and functional requirements and harmonising judicial directions with
administrative and federal requirements.
6.The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
NEWDELHI; AMIT SHAH.
The16thMarch, 2026.8 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM
The provisions of the proposed legislation do not involve any expenditure,
either recurring or non-recurring, from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India.Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 9
MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Clause 6 of the Bill confers power upon the Central Government to make rules
for carrying out the provisions of the Bill. The matters in respect of which such rules
may be made relate to the method, manner and mode of recruitment including
promotion and deputation and the conditions of service of officers in the Central
Armed Police Force under sub-clause (1) of clause 3 and such other rules for the
Central Armed Police Forces under sub-clause (2) of clause 3.
2. The matters in respect of which the rules may be made are matters of
procedure and administrative detail and it is not practicable to provide for them in
the Bill itself. The delegation of legislative power is, therefore, of a normal
character.
___________
PP..C. Mody,
Secretary-General.
P.C. MODY,
Secretary-General.
______________________________________________________________________________
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THE RULES OF PROCEDURE AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN THE COUNCIL OF
STATES (RAJYA SABHA)
Digitally signed by
AJAY
AJAY INDORKAR
INDORKAR Date: 2026.03.25
19:56:33 +05'30'
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