Overview
- The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 was formally notified as in force on October 8, 2026 and sets a unified statutory framework for recruitment and service rules in the five CAPFs.
- The law fixes deputation quotas by rank, requiring 50% of inspector general posts to be filled by IPS officers on deputation, at least 67% of additional director general posts by deputation, and the special director general and director general posts to be filled only by deputation.
- Thousands of serving CAPF cadre officers have active petitions in the Supreme Court arguing the Act is discriminatory and undermines the court's May 23, 2025 order that directed a progressive two‑year reduction in IPS deputation and a cadre review.
- The Centre has told the Supreme Court in affidavits that the Act 'expressly empowers' the government to prescribe the method and mode of recruitment, including deputation, and that an umbrella law is needed to resolve fragmented service rules.
- A special bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear challenges to the law on October 15, 2026 and the outcome will determine whether fixed deputation quotas stand and how promotions, morale and leadership pathways for CAPF cadre officers change.