Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday criticised the Centre over the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, alleging it seeks to override a Supreme Court ruling on the deputation of IPS officers to CAPFs and undermines the cadre’s autonomy.
Participating in the debate, MPs including Tiruchi Siva, Sanjay Singh, Md Nadimul Haque, Sanjay Yadav and Muzibulla Khan demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee or amended to address concerns raised by the Opposition.
Siva said the government was going against the spirit of a 2025 judgment by the Supreme Court of India, which directed the phased reduction of IPS deputation in CAPFs. “In May 2025, the Supreme Court very clearly gave a judgement that slowly within two years, it asked the home ministry to phase out the deputation of IPS officers in the CAPF and enable their own officers to be in that rank,” he said.
He questioned the provision in the bill mandating IPS deputation. “Clause 3(1) of this bill says that IPS deputation is a must and you (government) are insisting upon that. What is the reason for that? Are the CAPF officers incompetent to lead their own team?” he asked, adding that Parliament should not override judicial directions without addressing identified deficiencies.
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Sanjay Singh alleged that the legislation would result in “grave injustice” to CAPF personnel, citing stagnation in career progression. “We are not against the promotion of IPS officers but why is there no promotion for CAPF personnel,” he said, claiming that officers in forces such as the CRPF and BSF often wait
over a decade for advancement.
Haque argued that the bill weakens institutional balance. “It is not a reform but an effort to control how the home ministry is trying to undermine the authority of the Supreme Court and how to capture the leadership of the forces by rewriting the law,” he said, warning of long-term implications for internal security.
Yadav highlighted stress-related issues among personnel, including suicides and voluntary retirements, attributing them in part to limited career growth. “Celebrating one day on Diwali with them will not do them any good. We will have to make rules and regulations so that each day is a Diwali for them,” he said.
Khan also questioned the rationale behind the bill despite the court’s directive, calling it an attempt to nullify the judgment.
Opposition members emphasised the sacrifices of CAPF personnel and urged the government to ensure fair career progression and institutional respect while reconsidering the proposed legislation.
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