Former personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces have announced a major protest in Delhi, opposing the CAPF Act 2026 and demanding restoration of the old pension scheme.
The Alliance of All Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association will begin an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from November 12.
The veterans are protesting against the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act 2026, which came into force on April 9, while also pressing for long-standing demands, including restoration of the old pension system.
Association secretary Ranbir Singh said the decision to launch the protest came after repeated representations to the government allegedly failed to produce a response.
“We have no other options left,” Singh said, according to the association.
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Veterans Challenge IPS Deputation Provisions
At the heart of the protest is the new legislation’s provisions governing senior-level appointments in the five CAPFs.
The Act provides for IPS officers on deputation to occupy:
- 50% of Inspector-General posts
- At least 67% of Additional Director-General posts
- All Special Director-General and Director-General posts
The legislation also removes the earlier 50% ceiling on DIG-level deputation for Group A CAPF officers, potentially allowing a greater share of senior positions to be filled by IPS officers on deputation.
Association Calls Act “Oppressive”
The veterans’ association has strongly criticised the new framework, arguing that it could undermine cadre-based career progression within the CAPFs.
Singh said the system would make it difficult for serving personnel to maintain their professional self-respect if deputation and administrative protection were prioritised over expertise and field experience.
The association argues that officers who spend their careers within the CAPF structure should have greater opportunities for advancement into senior leadership positions.
Supreme Court Direction at Centre of Dispute
The protest is also linked to a previous Supreme Court direction concerning IPS deputation in the CAPFs.
According to Singh, the Supreme Court had last year directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to progressively reduce IPS deputation up to the IG level in the five CAPFs within two years.
The court had also directed that a cadre review be conducted within six months.
The association alleges that the new legislation has effectively sought to bypass that direction, claiming the ministry failed to implement the court’s earlier instructions.
Letters to Amit Shah Yet to Receive Response
Singh said the association has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking withdrawal of the legislation.
According to him, the veterans have not received a response to their representations.
The association has now decided to take its campaign to the streets, with Jantar Mantar chosen as the venue for the November 12 hunger strike.
Old Pension Scheme Also on Protest Agenda
The proposed agitation is not limited to the new CAPF legislation.
Restoration of the old pension scheme remains another major demand of the veterans.
The association plans to raise both issues during the protest, bringing together concerns over career progression, senior-level appointments and retirement benefits.
A Growing Battle Over CAPF Career Progression
The planned agitation puts the spotlight on a long-running debate within the CAPFs over the balance between IPS deputation and the career prospects of cadre officers.
With veterans now announcing a hunger strike, the dispute over the CAPF Act 2026 is set to move into a more visible phase, with the protesters demanding changes to the new framework and action on their pending pension-related demands.
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