IPS quota in CAPF posts comes into force

File photo: CAPF personnel

NEW DELHI: Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 - which stipulates that 50% of the posts in CAPFs at the level of inspector general, a minimum of 67% of the posts at the level of additional director general, and 100% of the posts at the level of director general and special director general-level, be filled by IPS officers on deputation - came into force Thursday.The home ministry, in a notification, specified Oct 8 as the "appointed day" on which the provisions of the Act would come into force.The operationalisation of the IPS quota in senior CAPF posts comes days after Union home secretary Govind Mohan told Supreme Court that the deputation of 46 IPS officers across five paramilitary forces (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB), since the court's May 2025 direction for a gradual reduction in the number of IPS officers on deputation within two years, was in accordance with the law since SC had not held that such deputation should be discontinued altogether.

While CAPF cadre officers are opposed to senior posts being "cornered" by IPS officers, on the grounds that it blocks progress in their careers, govt has backed the deputation of IPS officers, describ-ing them as crucial to coordination between Centre and states in view of the national and inter-state roles of the forces.