New Delhi: A growing confrontation is unfolding between cadre officers of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Union government over promotions, leadership roles, and the continued deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to senior posts in central forces.
Despite clear directives from the Supreme Court of India in 2019 and May 2025, implementation of reforms aimed at protecting the interests of CAPF cadre officers remains stalled. The government has not only failed to execute the orders but is now preparing to introduce a Bill in Parliament to effectively overturn the apex court’s ruling.
What the Supreme Court Directed
In its May 2025 judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that:
- The Organized Group A Service (OGAS) framework must be implemented in CAPFs in its true spirit.
- OGAS should not be limited merely to Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU) but must apply to all functional aspects.
- A cadre review must be conducted within six months.
The government should gradually reduce IPS deputation to posts up to the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level over the next two years.
The Court observed that CAPF cadre officers were lagging in promotions primarily due to the large-scale deputation of IPS officers, which curtailed their leadership opportunities.
However, the government filed a review petition, which was rejected by the Supreme Court. An affidavit has since been filed, and the Centre is now preparing to reverse the impact of the judgment through legislation.
IPS Numbers at the Centre Rise Instead of Falling
Contrary to the Supreme Court’s direction to gradually reduce IPS deputation, data shows:
- In June 2025, there were 678 IPS officers posted at the Centre.
- By December 2025, the number had crossed 700.
Instead of decreasing, IPS representation at central postings has increased, intensifying concerns among CAPF cadre officers.
“No First Promotion in 15 Years”
According to former BSF Additional Director General SK Sood, promotion stagnation has reached alarming levels.
Ground commanders, particularly Assistant Commandants in forces such as:
- Central Reserve Police Force
- Border Security Force
are reportedly waiting up to 15 years for their first promotion.
If the trend continues:
- Most cadre officers may retire at the rank of Commandant.
- Only a fraction (around half of 200–300 officers) may rise to IG or ADG ranks.
Ignored Advice from the 1970s and 1980s
Internal Home Ministry communications from the 1970s and 1980s reveal that senior officials had cautioned against reserving posts for IPS officers in central forces.
Then Home Secretary Lallan Prasad Singh wrote that posts should not be reserved for IPS officers and that cadre officers should rise to the top through promotion. He also noted that the Force Act of 1955 contains no provision reserving posts for IPS officers.
In 1970, JC Pandey, Deputy Director (Organization) in the Home Ministry, warned that reserving posts for IPS officers would harm promotion prospects of cadre officers.
Despite these warnings, IPS deputation expanded over the decades.
Views of Early DGs: “We Will Prepare Our Own Officers”
The first Director General of the Border Security Force, KF Rustam, had stated that there should be no reservation of posts for IPS officers and that the force would develop its own leadership pipeline.
Similarly, in 1968, the first DG of the Central Reserve Police Force, VG Kanetkar, reportedly said IPS officers were not required and that a working formula could later evolve into a new system.
However, over time:
- IPS deputation quotas increased.
- IPS officers began occupying not just DG/ADG, IG, and DIG ranks but also Commandant positions.
This has significantly reduced promotional avenues for cadre officers.
New MHA Policy May Further Increase IPS Influx
Former CRPF Assistant Commandant and advocate Sarvesh Tripathi points out that the Home Ministry has recently mandated:
- Two years of central deputation for SP/DIG-rank IPS officers before promotion to IG rank at the Centre.
- The rule applies to IPS officers from the 2011 batch onward.
This move is expected to increase the flow of IPS officers into central forces, potentially further narrowing promotion prospects for CAPF cadre officers.
Larger Conflict: Judiciary vs Executive?
With the Supreme Court’s review petition rejected and the Centre preparing legislation to counter the ruling, the issue has evolved into a broader institutional debate over:
- Cadre autonomy
- Leadership structure in CAPFs
- Balance between IPS deputation and internal promotions
- Implementation of OGAS in true spirit
Cadre officers argue that continued IPS dominance undermines morale, career progression, and operational effectiveness of ground-level commanders.
