Constitutional Background:
- Article 355 of the Constitution of India assigns the Central Government the responsibility of protecting every part of India from external aggression and internal disturbances.
- Under items 1 to 2A of List I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, the deployment of naval, military & air forces; and any other armed forces of Union are vested in the Central Government.
List of CAPFs:
- To fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, the Central Government has raised seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). These are
- Four Border Guarding Forces (BFGs): Assam Rifles (AR), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Border Security Force (BSF).
- Three Non-Border Guarding CAPFs used for internal security: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and National Security Guard (NSG).
- CAPFs are deployed to aid the State Governments and UTs in maintaining public order on their request.
Report Summary:
- Findings: Majority of the higher posts of the top hierarchy in the CAPFs are being filled with officers coming on deputation, especially from the IPS. The DG rank in CAPFs like the CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP, SSB and NSG is “100% reserved for IPS officers.”
- Arguments by Union Home Ministry for present status:
- Exposure, training and grooming of an IPS officer matches with the job requirements for the senior posts of CAPFs.
- The inter-departmental coordination between various CAPFs and State Police becomes smooth and seamless with the presence of IPS officers in every CAPF.
- Recommendation by committee:
- The post of Director-General and other senior positions in CAPFs should not be reserved for IPS officers.
- The nature of duty of CAPF are more similar to that of the Armed Forces and it would make more sense to bring more officers from the Armed Forces on deputation.
- Benefits: It will go a long way to boost the morale of the CAPFs but will also provide a bigger pool of qualified officers.
