New Delhi: The Supreme Court has strongly criticised the Union Government for failing to comply with its earlier directions regarding the cadre review of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Observing that its May 2025 directive had been violated, the apex court has directed the Cadre Review Committee to submit its proposals for approval by November 30, 2026.
A bench comprising Justices Manoj Mishra and Ujjal Bhuyan also sought details of the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the five CAPFs, particularly up to the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level.
The court’s observations came while hearing petitions challenging the new CAPF Act, along with a contempt petition filed by CAPF officers alleging that the Centre had failed to implement the Supreme Court’s directions issued on May 23, 2025.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 9, 2026.
Supreme Court Finds Violation of May 2025 Cadre Review Order
During the hearing on Wednesday, October 28, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre’s handling of the cadre review process.
At the previous hearing on October 15, the bench had directed the Union Government to produce the original files relating to the cadre review exercise.
After examining the records, the court observed that the Centre had failed to comply with its May 2025 direction requiring completion of the cadre review within six months.
The bench subsequently directed the Cadre Review Committee to submit its proposals for approval by November 30.
It also sought details of the proposals prepared by the committee, indicating that the court wanted to examine the progress made towards implementing its earlier judgment.
The development places renewed scrutiny on the government’s handling of cadre restructuring in the paramilitary forces and the implementation of judicial directions concerning service administration.
Read also: Supreme Court Orders MHA to Produce Original CAPF Cadre Review Files; Matter Listed for October 27
What Did the Supreme Court Order on May 23, 2025?
In its May 23, 2025 judgment, the Supreme Court had directed the Union Government to undertake cadre reviews in all five CAPFs within six months.
The cadre review exercises had reportedly been due since 2021.
The judgment also directed the Centre to progressively reduce the deputation of IPS officers to the CAPFs.
These directions were significant for officers serving in the CAPF cadres, as cadre reviews are intended to examine the organisational structure, promotion opportunities and staffing requirements of a service.
The court’s directions addressed two interconnected issues: the pending review of CAPF cadres and the deployment of IPS officers to positions within these forces.
However, according to the contempt petitioners, the government failed to complete the cadre review exercise within the prescribed period.
The latest hearing focused on whether the Centre had taken the necessary steps to comply with the earlier judgment.
Supreme Court Seeks Detailed Data on IPS Deputations to Five CAPFs
Apart from setting a deadline for the cadre review proposals, the Supreme Court sought information regarding the deputation of IPS officers to the five CAPFs.
The bench directed the Centre to provide data on IPS deputations up to the Senior Administrative Grade level.
It also asked the government to file an affidavit specifying the deputation position in each force on two occasions: May 23, 2025, when the original judgment was delivered, and the current position.
This comparison is expected to help the court assess whether the government has followed its direction for a progressive reduction in IPS deputations.
The five CAPFs covered by the cadre review are the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The deputation issue is particularly important because the court’s earlier judgment had directed the government to reduce reliance on IPS officers for positions in these forces over time.
Contempt Petitioners Allege IPS Deputations Increased Instead of Declining
The contempt petition filed by CAPF officials alleges that the Centre has not only failed to complete the cadre reviews but has also increased IPS deputations despite the Supreme Court’s directions.
The petitioners have argued that the government was required to progressively reduce such deputations under the May 2025 judgment.
However, they allege that the number of IPS officers deputed to the CAPFs increased after the judgment.
According to the information placed before the court, the Union Home Secretary acknowledged that 46 IPS officers had been deputed to the CAPFs after the Supreme Court’s May 2025 order.
The figure has become an important part of the ongoing proceedings, as the court has now sought a detailed account of deputations across the five forces.
However, whether these deputations constitute a violation of the court’s directions will depend on the terms of the judgment, the positions involved and the information submitted by the Centre.
The Supreme Court’s demand for comparative data is therefore significant in determining the extent of compliance.
Why Is the CAPF Cadre Review Important?
A cadre review is an administrative exercise undertaken to assess the structure, strength and career progression arrangements of an organised service.
In the CAPFs, such reviews can have implications for the number and distribution of sanctioned posts, promotion opportunities and the overall staffing structure.
The issue has particular relevance for officers recruited directly into the CAPFs, whose career progression is influenced by the availability of senior positions within their respective organisations.
The deputation of IPS officers to CAPF positions has also been a subject of longstanding debate concerning service structure and promotional opportunities.
The Supreme Court’s May 2025 directions sought to address these issues through a time-bound cadre review and a progressive reduction in IPS deputations.
The latest proceedings indicate that the court is now examining whether the government has taken adequate steps to implement those directions.
New CAPF Act Does Not Affect Cadre Review, Says Supreme Court
Another important aspect of the case concerns the new CAPF Act, which came into force on October 8, 2026.
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the legislation alongside the contempt proceedings relating to its earlier cadre review directions.
During previous proceedings, the court clarified that the new Act had no bearing on the cadre review of the five forces.
This observation is significant because the government remains bound by the court’s earlier directions unless they are modified or otherwise affected by a subsequent judicial order.
The court has therefore continued examining the implementation of its May 2025 judgment independently of the legal challenges concerning the new legislation.
The petitions challenging the Act and the contempt proceedings raise related but distinct questions about CAPF administration and compliance with judicial directions.
Centre Asked to Submit Cadre Review Proposals by November 30
The Supreme Court has now fixed November 30, 2026, as the deadline for the Cadre Review Committee to submit its proposals for approval.
The bench has also sought details of the proposals prepared by the committee.
The direction is intended to establish the status of the pending cadre review exercise and determine what steps remain before the proposals can be considered for approval.
The Centre will also have to provide the requested affidavit containing force-wise information about IPS deputations as of May 23, 2025, and the current position.
These submissions will be important for the court’s assessment of compliance with its previous directions.
Next Supreme Court Hearing on December 9
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for December 9, 2026.
By then, the Cadre Review Committee is expected to have submitted its proposals for approval in accordance with the November 30 deadline.
The court will also be able to examine the information submitted by the Centre concerning IPS deputations to the five CAPFs.
The proceedings are important for CAPF officers seeking implementation of the cadre review directions and clarity on the future structure of their services.
The central questions before the court remain whether the government has complied with the May 2025 judgment, what progress has been made on the overdue cadre reviews and whether IPS deputations are being reduced in accordance with the court’s directions.
The next hearing is expected to provide further clarity on the implementation of the cadre review exercise and the Centre’s response to the Supreme Court’s concerns.
