SC Recognises CAPF Group A as Organised Services

SC Recognises CAPF Group A as Organised Services

Why in News?

Supreme Court ruled that Group A officers of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) should be recognised as Organised Services, enabling cadre restructuring and reducing IPS deputation posts within two years, benefiting around 13,000 officers.

About Supreme Court’s Landmark Judgment:

• A Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan declared that Group A CAPF officers (from 1986 onwards) are Organised Group A Services (OGAS).
• The order mandates that IPS deputation posts in CAPFs (up to Inspector General) be progressively reduced within two years.
• This ruling enables cadre review and amendment of service rules within six months.

Implications for Promotions and Structure

• Currently, 20% of DIG and 50% of IG posts in CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers.
• CAPF officers often face long delays in promotions, with many attaining senior ranks years later than prescribed.
• One official cited a 31-year wait to become DIG, though the norm is 21 years.
• The change aims to streamline promotions and correct service stagnation.

Background and Beneficiaries

• The Ministry of Home Affairs controls CAPF cadre policies.
• CAPFs include:
  • BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB, and ITBP.
• The Delhi HC (2015) and Supreme Court (2019) had earlier supported CAPFs’ status as organised services, akin to IFS and IRS.
• Around 13,000 officers are expected to benefit from the ruling.

This decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for the structure and functioning of India’s central armed police forces.