The Indian government has notified the Central Armed Police Forces Act, 2026, following President Droupadi Murmu's assent to the law. The Act aims to regulate recruitment, deputation, promotion, and other conditions of service for officers in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
The CAPFs, including the Central Reserve Police Force, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Border Security Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the Sashastra Seema Bal, will be governed by the new Act. It provides for 50% of posts to be filled through deputation from the Indian Police Service and a minimum of 67% through deputation in the rank of an additional director general.
The law comes after the Supreme Court dismissed the Centre's plea seeking a review of its 2025 verdict that directed a reduction in IPS officers' deputation in the CAPFs. The new Act is expected to address the issues of service-related matters and administrative difficulties faced by the forces.
