The CRPF is considering reviving two ranks abolished 30 years ago; here is why lance brings naik, naik back | Today’s news
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest paramilitary force, is reportedly considering reintroducing the military ranks of lance naik and naik, some 30 years after they were abolished, officials told PTI on Saturday.
The move is aimed at addressing delayed promotions and accommodating Agniveers leaving the army. The proposal would reinstate two ranks abolished in 1997, creating more promotion opportunities for constables before becoming chief constables.
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Why is CRPF considering bringing back two abolished ranks?
The CRPF has around 3.25 lakh personnel, but its constables wait an average of 22-25 years for their first promotion, according to the report. Officials said spending so many years in one rank led to dissatisfaction among employees.
Bringing back the rank of lance naik and naik would give constables two opportunities for promotion before reaching the rank of head constable. The move could help address these grievances and boost morale in India’s largest paramilitary force.
Officials said the proposal is also aimed at attracting Agniveers leaving the army. Their first batch is expected to finish service later this year and be eligible to join the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), including the CRPF. Under the centre’s Agnipath programme, Agniveers are recruited into the three armed services for a four-year period.
Lance Naik and the Naik ranks: A view of the hierarchy
The CRPF and the Border Security Force (BSF) once included lance naik and naik in their rank structures, modeled after the army’s infantry battalions. According to this hierarchy, a jawan joining as a constable would be promoted to the rank of naik after five years of service, naik after 10 years and head constable after 20 years.
While both ranks remain in use in the army, a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order abolished them in the CRPF almost three decades ago and merged them with the ranks of constable and head constable.
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Here’s what will change if ranks return
If approved and implemented, the proposal would restore the transition steps between constable and chief constable, allowing staff more opportunities to progress within the police force.
CAPFs currently allow constables to wear head constable badges corresponding to the rank of lance naik on an ad hoc system. However, head constable is not a sanctioned rank and there is no similar provision for naik.
It remains unclear whether restoration of ranks would guarantee promotion within the stipulated period. Ranbir Singh, general secretary of the Ex-Paramilitary Personnel Association, said the proposal would help the personnel only if the promotions were made within the stipulated time schedule; without it, the exercise would be pointless.
A senior CRPF commander said the decision to reintroduce the two army ranks “should not be just a cosmetic move and should ensure that battalion discipline is maintained”.
The commander further noted that the battalion of over 1,000 men and women currently has over 20 subordinate officers. Any change in rank structure, according to the commander, should account for unit regimentation and operational efficiency.
CRPF seeks feedback from personnel
The CRPF headquarters has directed hundreds of its field formations across the country to collect feedback from personnel on the proposal through stakeholder meetings, or ‘Sainik Sammelans’, within two days, officials said. The proposal remains under review.
