RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the budget session of Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, March 30, 2026. | Photo credit: Sansad TV
Responding to the concerns of senior officers of the Central Armed Police Forces outside the IPS, the Opposition on Monday (March 30, 2026) argued in the Rajya Sabha that the CAPF (General Administration) Bill was against constitutional values and principles of natural justice and demanded that it be sent to a select committee for consideration.
BJP leaders said the bill was an example of the government standing behind its paramilitary forces and that unlike in the past, there were structured provisions in the bill for the promotion of an officer who would take over as deputy commander.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said at the Deputy Inspector General level, there will be no reservation for IPS cadre officers and officers who join as Assistant Commandants to become DIGs. “50% of the officers can go up to the level of Inspector General and one-third of the officers can be placed at the level of Additional Director General,” he said, adding that the bill offers a clear promotion structure.
“It is not true when we say that the bill will have an impact on the morale of the CAPF,” Mr. Trivedi said. “There will be four or five promotions available to officers from all ranks,” he added.
Lawyer and Congress MP Vivek Tankha said the law lacks purpose. “What was the necessity of this umbrella law when officers are not interested in deputation and about 18 IG posts are lying vacant in the force?” he asked. Mr. Tankha said that as an organized force, CAPF officers demanded equal treatment and the courts agreed to this demand.
“This bill is meant to negate the Supreme Court judgment and it will fail,” he said, adding that the Center had sought to quash the court order. “I don’t think the law ministry has vetted this bill,” he said, adding that the provisions were against at least two Supreme Court orders. “This law is for demoralizing the force,” Mr. Tankha said.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said the provisions of the law contradicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in 2019 that anomalies in CAPF structures would be addressed and Supreme Court directions would be accepted.
“In May 2025, the Supreme Court very clearly ruled that slowly, within two years, the Ministry of Home Affairs should phase out the deputation of IPS officers in the CAPF and allow their own officers to reach that rank. However, Article 3(1) of this Act says that IPS deputation is a must and you (the government) insist on it. Are the CAPFs competent to lead their officers in the commu?” Mr. Siva asked. “Government sought votes in their (CAPF) names but you do not recognize them as martyrs,” he added.
Published – 30 March 2026 22:32 IST
