Why in News?
Despite a Supreme Court directive to reduce IPS deputations in CAPFs within two years, the Home Ministry continues appointing IPS officers to senior CAPF posts, sparking allegations of contempt. The ruling aims to boost career progression for CAPF officers.
Description:
- Group of seven central armed police units under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Role: Internal security, law and order, counterinsurgency, border guarding.
- Earlier called: Central Para-Military Forces (CPMF).
- Official name CAPF adopted in 2011.
Classification:
Border Guarding Forces:
- Assam Rifles (AR)
- Border Security Force (BSF)
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
Forces for Internal Security:
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Special Task Force:
- National Security Guard (NSG)
Constitutional Basis:
- Listed as “Other Armed Forces” in the Union List.
- Operate under Article 355: Union’s duty to protect States against external aggression & internal disturbances.
- Police and Public Order are State List subjects ➜ CAPF deployed on state request.
Roles (High-Level):
- Border guarding (BSF, ITBP, SSB, AR)
- Security of sensitive establishments (CISF)
- Counterinsurgency, Law & Order, Anti-Naxal Ops (CRPF)
- Counterterrorism (NSG)
- Assist State Police & Army in crises.
Key Facts – Individual Forces:
| Force | Key Role | Notes |
| Assam Rifles (AR) | Indo-Myanmar border (1643 km), NE insurgency | Admin by MHA, ops by Indian Army; oldest paramilitary. |
| BSF | Indo-Pak & Indo-Bangladesh borders | ~292,000 personnel; also wartime roles. |
| CISF | Security of PSUs, airports, critical infra | ~160,500 personnel. |
| CRPF | Largest CAPF; Law & Order, Naxal ops | ~313,678 personnel; includes RAF & COBRA. |
| ITBP | Indo-China border (3488 km) | ~89,432 personnel; high-altitude duties. |
| NSG | Counterterrorism, hostage rescue | Formed in 1984; elite “Black Cats.” |
| SSB | Indo-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan borders | ~76,337 personnel. |
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