**Executive Summary**
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, provides a unified legal framework to regulate the recruitment and service conditions of Group A General Duty Officers and other officers within the CAPFs. Published on April 9, 2026, the Act establishes specific deputation quotas for senior ranks and grants the Central Government overriding authority to formulate rules that supersede prior judicial or administrative orders. Existing financial benefits are preserved until new orders are issued, and all subsequent rules must be laid before Parliament for approval.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Scope and Definitions**
* **Applicability:** The Act governs forces listed in the First Schedule, including the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
* **Officer Classification:** Applies to Group A General Duty Officers (Assistant Commandant and above), including IPS and Indian Army officers on deputation or re-employment.
* **Ministry Jurisdiction:** The "Central Government" refers specifically to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
**Recruitment and Deputation Rules**
* **Rule-Making Power:** The Central Government is authorized to notify rules regarding recruitment, promotion, and deputation, superseding any previous laws, court judgments, or decrees.
* **IPS Deputation Quotas:** The Act mandates specific percentages for IPS officers in senior ranks:
* **Inspector General (IG):** 50% of posts to be filled by deputation.
* **Additional Director General (ADG):** A minimum of 67% of posts to be filled by deputation.
* **Special DG and Director General (DG):** 100% of these posts must be filled by deputation only.
**Administrative and Legal Provisions**
* **Overriding Effect:** The Act’s provisions prevail over any inconsistent laws or legal instruments currently in force.
* **Schedules Amendment:** The Central Government may amend the First Schedule (list of forces) or Second Schedule (existing recruitment rules) via notification.
* **Parliamentary Oversight:** Every rule or notification made under this Act must be laid before both Houses of Parliament for a period of thirty days.
* **Savings Clause:** Financial benefits previously granted to Group A officers remain valid until new orders are issued.
* **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**
The Ministry gains comprehensive authority to regulate service conditions and recruitment across all CAPFs, allowing it to bypass existing judicial mandates or inconsistent prior orders.
**Action Required**
Must notify the official commencement date of the Act and lay all new rules or schedule amendments before both Houses of Parliament.
**Indian Police Service (IPS) Officers**
**Impact**
The Act statutorily secures high-level leadership roles for IPS officers, ensuring they occupy 50% to 100% of posts in the highest ranks of the CAPFs.
**Action Required**
Officers seeking senior positions in CAPFs must comply with the deputation rules established under this framework.
**Group A General Duty Officers (CAPF Cadre)**
**Impact**
Their recruitment and promotion pathways are now subject to the umbrella regulations of this Act; however, their existing recruitment rules (Second Schedule) and financial benefits are protected until specifically modified.
**Action Required**
Must monitor new notifications from the Central Government regarding updated promotion and service condition rules.
Key Entities Referenced
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026: An umbrella law enacted to regulate recruitment and service conditions for Group A General Duty Officers and other personnel across India's central armed forces.
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): Collective armed forces of the Union, including CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB, whose administrative and functional hierarchies are governed by this Act.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The nodal ministry designated as the Central Government authority responsible for making rules and overseeing the administration of the Central Armed Police Forces.
Indian Police Service (IPS): A civil service cadre whose officers are assigned specific deputation quotas for senior leadership ranks within the CAPFs to ensure inter-departmental coordination.
jftLVªh lañ Mhñ ,yñ—¼,u½04@0007@2003—26 REGISTERED NO. DL—(N)04/0007/2003—26
सी.जी.-डी.xएxलx.G-अI.D-0H9x04x2x026-271668
CG-DL-E-09042026-271668
xxxGIDExxx
vlk/kkj.k
EXTRAORDINARY
Hkkx II — [k.M 1
PART II — Section 1
izkf/kdkj ls izdkf'kr
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
lañ 14] ubZ fnYyh] c`gLifrokj] vizSy 09] 2026@pS= 19] 1948 ¼'kd½
No. 14] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, APRIL 09, 2026/CHAITRA 19, 1948 (Saka)
bl Hkkx esa fHkUu i`"B la[;k nh tkrh gS ftlls fd ;g vyx ladyu ds :i esa j[kk tk ldsA
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(Legislative Department)
New Delhi, the 9th April, 2026/Chaitra 19, 1948 (Saka)
The Following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the
9th April, 2026 and is hereby published for general information:—
THE CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES (GENERAL
BillNo.XLI-Fof2026
ADMINISTRATION) ACT, 2026
THE CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES (GENERAL
ADMINN ISOT. R 9 A OTFI O20 N2 )6 BILL, 2026
(AS PASSED BY THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT) [9th April, 2026.]
A
An Act to regulate the general rules governing the recruitment and
BILL
conditions of service of Group A General Duty Officers and
to reogtuhleart e othffie cgeernse rianl rthulee sC geonvetrranli nAg rtmhee rde cPruoiltimceen tF aonrdc ecso nadnitdio nost hoef rs erruvlieces
of Group A General Duty Officers and other officers in the Central Armed
regarding these forces, and for matters connected therewith or incidental
Police Forces and other rules regarding these forces, and for matters
thereto.
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 E2XTRAORDINARY [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. 1] THE GAZETTE OF IND3IA 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 4EXTRAORDINARY [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. 1] THE GAZETTE OF IND5IA 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).
56 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA 6EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
THE SECOND SCHEDULE
[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.
———
The above Bill has been passed by the Houses of Parliament.
———
DR. RAJIV MANI,
Secretary to the Govt. of India.
Dated the Speaker.
I assent to this Bill.
Dated the President.
UPLOADED BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, MINTO ROAD, NEW DELHI–110002
AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLLER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI–110054.
6
MGIPMRND—17 GI—09.04.2026.