New Delhi: The Central Government informed Parliament that 93,139 posts are currently vacant in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles as of January 1, 2026. The information was shared by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
According to the government data, the highest number of vacancies is in the Central Industrial Security Force(CISF), while the lowest number is in the Assam Rifles.
Vacancies Across CAPFs
The number of vacant posts in different forces is as follows:
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF): 28,342
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): 27,400
- Border Security Force (BSF): 14,531
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): 12,333
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): 6,784
- Assam Rifles: 3,749
Despite the vacancies, the government stated that the forces continue to perform their duties effectively by optimally utilizing available manpower and resources.
Resignations in CAPFs Rise Sharply
The government also revealed a significant rise in resignations in the CAPFs over the past five years.
- 2021: 1,255 resignations
- 2025: 2,333 resignations
This represents an increase of about 86%. However, the government noted that cases of suicide, homicide, and voluntary retirement have declined during the same period.
Steps Taken by Government to Fill Vacancies
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that filling vacancies is an ongoing process, and several measures have been implemented to accelerate recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles.
1. Timely Recruitment for Non-GD Cadres
Instructions have been issued to all forces to conduct recruitment for non-General Duty posts in a timely manner to ensure that technical and administrative roles do not remain vacant.
2. Annual Constable Recruitment Through SSC
The government has institutionalized annual recruitment for Constable (General Duty) posts through the Staff Selection Commission.
For this purpose, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the commission to streamline the recruitment process.
3. Designation of Nodal Force for Recruitment
A nodal CAPF has been designated on a long-term basis to coordinate recruitment for key ranks including –
- Constable (General Duty)
- Sub-Inspector (General Duty)
- Assistant Commandant (General Duty)
This step aims to improve coordination and speed up recruitment procedures.
4. Use of RFID Technology in Physical Tests
To enhance transparency and efficiency, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being used during Physical Standard Tests (PST) and Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) for direct recruitment examinations.
5. Regular Departmental Promotion Committee Meetings
The government has directed forces to hold regular Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings to fill vacancies arising due to promotions.
6. Faster Medical Examination Process
The time taken for medical evaluation has been reduced by streamlining procedures related to:
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
- Review Medical Examination (RME)
This helps speed up the final stages of recruitment.
7. Reduced Cut-off Marks to Ensure Adequate Candidates
To address shortages in certain categories, cut-off marks for shortlisting candidates for Constable (GD) posts have been reduced where necessary to ensure sufficient candidate availability.
8. Regular Basic Recruit Training
The CAPFs and Assam Rifles conduct Basic Recruit Training regularly as per the Annual Training Plan, ensuring that newly recruited personnel can be inducted into operational duties without delays.
Questions Raised in Parliament
The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, who asked the government:
- Whether there are large-scale vacancies in CAPFs
- Whether these vacancies are affecting internal security, law enforcement, and disaster response
- Whether recruitment delays or training bottlenecks have been reviewed
- What is the timeline and action plan to address the manpower shortage
Responding to these questions, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that the Ministry is continuously taking concrete steps to fill vacancies through agencies such as the Union Public Service Commission and the Staff Selection Commission.agencies like the Union Public Service Commission and the Staff Selection Commission.
Importance of CAPFs in India’s Security Framework
The Central Armed Police Forces play a critical role in maintaining internal security, guarding international borders, protecting vital installations, and assisting during natural disasters and elections.
The major forces include:
- Central Reserve Police Force – counter-insurgency and internal security operations
- Border Security Force – guarding the India–Pakistan and India–Bangladesh borders
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police – guarding the India–China border
- Sashastra Seema Bal – protecting India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan
- Central Industrial Security Force – protecting airports, metro networks, and strategic installations
- Assam Rifles – counter-insurgency and border security in the Northeast
Address the Issue
With over 93,000 vacancies across CAPFs and Assam Rifles, the government has acknowledged the manpower gap but maintains that recruitment drives and administrative reforms are underway to address the issue. Measures such as annual recruitment through SSC, faster medical examinations, RFID-based testing, and improved promotion processes are expected to accelerate hiring and reduce the manpower shortage in India’s internal security forces.
