NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday notified the Central Armed Police Forces Bill, 2026, after President Draupadi Murmu gave her assent to the ‘omnibus law’ that will regulate recruitment, deputation, promotion and other conditions of service of Central Armed Forces officers.
All the forces of the Armed Forces (CRPF, Central Industrial Security Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal) are governed by their respective laws.
The rules under these laws govern the employment and conditions of service of “Group A” public service officers and other officers and members of the armed forces.
The new law stipulates that 50 per cent of the posts will be filled through deputation from the Indian Police Service at the rank of Inspector General and not less than 67 per cent of the posts will be filled through deputation at the rank of Additional Director General.
It stipulates that the positions of Special General Manager and General Manager shall be filled by delegation only.
This law comes after the Supreme Court, in October last year, rejected the Centre’s petition seeking a review of its 2025 ruling stating that the mandate of IPS officers in country offices must be “gradually reduced up to the level of senior administrative rank” and requested a cadre review be conducted within six months.
The apex court said: “…the number of posts allocated for deputation in council cadres up to senior administrative grade level should be reduced gradually over a period of time, for example within an external limit of two years.”
According to the statement of objectives and reasons for the draft law on the Central Armed Police Forces that was submitted to Parliament, the expansion of functional and operational requirements has led to a distinct organizational structure for these forces.
“In recent years, due to the lack of a comprehensive law, regulatory provisions have developed in a fragmented manner, resulting in numerous lawsuits on service-related matters, resulting in some functional and administrative difficulties,” the statement of purposes and reasons said.
A group of retired Canadian Forces officers have filed a contempt complaint in the Supreme Court against Home Minister Govind Mohan for not implementing the October 2025 order in this regard.
“The proposed Canadian Forces Regulation Bill, 2026, is of great importance,” the group said in a press release on March 20. “Any legislative intervention affecting the command structure, conditions of service and leadership opportunities within the Canadian Forces inevitably carries implications not only for institutional morale but also for the operational effectiveness of the forces responsible for protecting India’s internal stability and border security.”
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