Government introduces Bill for IPS deputation to para forces in RS

The government on Wednesday introduced the controversial Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha, which aims to codify deputation of IPS officers to top posts in paramilitary forces such as CRPF, BSF, ITBP and SSB, amid uproar by the Congress-led Opposition.

The Bill, introduced by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, seeks to create a unified legal framework governing personnel across different forces, replacing the current patchwork of separate service rule regimes for the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

"The CAPF does not influence or change the system of governance under Section 312. The duties, powers and governance of the forces would remain intact under their existing mandates,” Rai said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju attacked the Opposition members who repeatedly invoked Supreme Court judgments to challenge the Bill's validity. "How can we take away the legislative competence of this House?" Rijiju said.

Rijiju reminded the Opposition that Parliament held "absolute competence" to legislate — and that abdicating that responsibility was not an option.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pressed for a hearing of three to four minutes per member. Deputy Chairman Harivansh ultimately permitted each member one minute.

Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress used his minute pointedly — by staying silent. "Silence is my right. You cannot take away my right," he said, calling the Bill "anti-federal".

Congress' Ajay Maken cited six Supreme Court judgments in opposition and flagged the financial burden of implementation.

“This government wants to choke the future and promotions of young soldiers who defend the nation. Today, democracy is alive in our country, and one reason for that is our country's paramilitary force, which is deployed during elections. In the past five years, 529 soldiers within the paramilitary force have sacrificed their lives for the nation. Today, the government is halting the promotions of such brave hearts. This is a shameful thing,” Maken said.

The Supreme Court had in May 2025 asked the government to gradually reduce deputation of IPS officers to top posts in the CAPF.

Retired CAPF personnel had earlier this week staged a dharna in the national capital against the introduction of the Bill, citing the Supreme Court order, while alleging that the proposed legislation will choke the opportunities of promotions for personnel of the CAPF cadre.