Overview
- CRPF headquarters has asked hundreds of field units to hold short Sainik Sammelans to gather personnel views on reviving the Army ranks of lance naik and naik, a step reported on Saturday.
- Officials say the two ranks would add two promotion steps for constables to address current first-promotion waits of about 22–25 years and widespread stagnation.
- The proposal is also aimed at attracting former Army Agniveers who will complete four-year service later this year and will be eligible to apply to Central Armed Police Forces including CRPF.
- Key implementation questions remain unresolved, including formal approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, whether promotions will be time-bound, changes to pay and insignia, and effects on battalion hierarchy and discipline.
- The ranks were abolished in 1997 by an MHA order that merged them into constable and head constable, so any reinstatement would require sanctioned posts and clear rules to avoid a merely cosmetic change.