Central Armed Police Forces

CAPF were formerly known as Central Para-Military Forces (CPMF), also various referred by Central Police Organisations (CPOs), Para-Military Forces (PMF) and Central Police Forces (CPF) interchangeably. In 2011, the Government of India released a circular adopting a uniform nomenclature to change the name of the forces to Central Armed Police Forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Initially, only five forces—BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB were covered under the new nomenclature, since AR was under the operational control of the Indian Army and NSG personnel were completely deputed from the Indian Army and other CAPFs. The name change was made for political reasons, to improve the international impression of the force, since in some countries the paramilitary refers to militant groups.{{cite web |last1=Online |first1=The Telegraph |title=For the paramilitary, all's in a new name |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/for-the-paramilitary-all-s-in-a-new-name/cid/415027 |website=telegraphindia.com |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=19 September 2020 |date=26 March 2011}}{{cite web |last1=Government of India |first1=Ministry of Home Affairs |title=Office Memorandum |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OM1-020513.pdf |website=mha.gov.in |publisher=Director (Personnel), MHA |access-date=19 September 2020 |date=23 November 2011}}{{cite web |last1=Government of India |first1=Ministry of Home Affairs |title=Office Memorandum |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/OM2-020513.pdf |website=mha.gov.in |publisher=Director (Personnel), MHA |access-date=19 September 2020 |pages=1 |date=18 March 2011}}

Currently, all the seven forces are listed under the CAPF definition by the Ministry.{{cite web |title=Central Armed Police Forces {{!}} Ministry of Home Affairs {{!}} GoI |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/about-us/central-armed-police-forces |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |access-date=19 August 2022}}

File:Hon'ble Home Minister of India Shri Amit Shah with the Chiefs of the CAPFs..jpg

Central Armed Police Forces are organised with the primary role of border guarding for AR, BSF, ITBP, SSB; Security of sensitive establishments by CISF, Assisting Police to tackle Law & Order, Counter-Terrorist Operations, Counter Naxal Operations by CRPF, NSG. Apart from the primary role, all CAPFs are involved in assisting Police in Law & Order situations and also Army in Counter-Terrorist Operations. BSF, ITBP and CRPF have assisted the army during external aggression in the past. CAPFs work along with both Indian Army & Police in different roles assigned to them.

Central Armed Police Forces personnel also serve in various important organisations such as Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Special Protection Group (SPG), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), State Armed Police Force (Jharkhand Jaguars, Bihar Military Police, UP/MP STF, DRG, IRB, Chattishgarh Armed Police etc.) on deputation and have attachment/training in various levels/formations/courses along with the Indian Army. Their role and performance, therefore, assumes a great significance due to the special features of an emergency force which is pressed in aid to the civil power to perform multiple roles in extremely difficult situations.

The Assam Rifles is a central police and paramilitary organisation responsible for border security, counter-insurgency, and law and order in Northeast India. Its primary role is to guard the 1,643 kilometre long Indo-Myanmar border. The AR comes under the administration of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), while its operational control is maintained by the Indian Army.{{cite news |author1=ANI |title=MHA to explain functioning of Assam Rifles in northeastern states before Parliamentary panel |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/mha-to-explain-functioning-of-assam-rifles-in-northeastern-states-before-parliamentary-panel20220525105037/#:~:text=Assam%20Rifles%20is%20the%20only,Ministry%20of%20Defence%20(MoD). |access-date=19 August 2022 |work=ANI News |date=25 May 2022}} It is the oldest paramilitary force in India.

File:Indian BSF Soldier.jpg in ceremonial attire|271x271px]]

The primary role of the Border Security Force is to guard the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders, it is deployed both on the international border and the LOC. The BSF also has active roles during times of war. It has 292,000 personnel in 192 battalions.{{Cite web|url=http://bsf.nic.in/en/air-wing.html|title=Border Security Force|website=bsf.nic.in|access-date=2020-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820142102/http://www.bsf.nic.in/en/air-wing.html|archive-date=20 August 2014|url-status=dead}} The 1, 2 and 7 battalion of NDRF are requisitioned from BSF. It is also known for being the largest dedicated border guarding force in the world.

One of the largest industrial security forces in the world, the Central Industrial Security Force provides security to various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other critical infrastructure installations, major airports across the country and provides security during elections and other internal security duties and VVIP protection. It has a total strength of about 160,500 personnel in 132 battalions including 12 reserve battalions.

The Central Reserve Police Force is the largest of the Central Armed Police Forces units with 313,678 personnel in 247 battalions.{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf|title=MHA Annual Report 2016-2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200948/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The Central Reserve Police includes:

• The Rapid Action Force (RAF), a 15 battalion anti-riot force trained to respond to sectarian violence.
• The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA), a 10 battalion strong anti-Naxalite/COIN force.{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/COBRA-to-sting-Naxal-virus-new-force-gets-Centre-nod/354579/ |title=COBRA to sting Naxal virus: new force gets Centre nod |publisher=Financial Express |date=2008-08-29 |access-date=2014-02-26}}

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police is deployed for guarding duties on the Indo-China border from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Diphu Pass in Arunachal Pradesh covering a total distance of 3,488 km.{{cite web |url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/armedforces.php?id=16 |title=Indo-Tibetan Border Police |publisher=Archive.india.gov.in |access-date=2014-02-09 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112174707/http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/armedforces.php?id=16 |url-status=dead }} It has 89,432 personnel in 56 fighting battalions, 2 DM and 4 specialised battalions.{{Cite web|url=http://itbpolice.nic.in/itbpwebsite/index.html|title=Home {{!}} Indo Tibetan Border Police, Ministry of Home Affairs|website=itbpolice.nic.in|language=en|access-date=2017-08-10}}

The National Security Guard (NSG), commonly known as Black Cats, is a counter-terrorism unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was founded on 16 October 1984 under the National Security Guard Act, 1986. All personnel are deputed from other CAPFs and the Indian Army.

The objective of the Sashastra Seema Bal (English: Armed Border Force) is to guard the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. It has 76,337 personnel and 73 battalions, as well as some reserved battalions.{{cite web|url=http://egov.eletsonline.com/2013/03/guarding-the-nations-frontiers/ |title=Guarding the Nation's Frontiers | eGov Magazine |publisher=Egov.eletsonline.com |date=2013-03-06 |access-date=2014-01-05}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ssb.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=37&lev=2&lid=9&langid=1&Cid=0|title=Force Profile- SSB Ministry Of Home Affairs, Govt. Of India|website=ssb.nic.in|access-date=2017-08-12|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629121431/https://www.ssb.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=37&lev=2&lid=9&langid=1&Cid=0|url-status=dead}}

On 5 February 2019, the Supreme Court of India ruled that five CAPFs would be granted Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU),https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/14017_47_2011-Estt.RR-01082012.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} and the status of Organised Group ‘A’ Services (OGAS), ending a nearly decade-long battle for the central armed police. In the judgment by Rohinton Fali Nariman and M. R. Shah, the court said that officers from BSF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP, and CISF should be granted the NFFU and will be considered as Organised Group A Central Services.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-upholds-hc-order-on-nffu-for-capf-officers-5571027/|title = Give paramilitary officers higher grade salary if you can't promote them when eligible: SC to Govt|date = 6 February 2019}}https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2013/7829/7829_2013_Judgement_05-Feb-2019.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}

In July 2019, the Union Cabinet granted{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1576843|title = Cabinet approves proposal for Grant of Organized Group 'A' Service (OGAS) to Group 'A' Executive Cadre Officers}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/centre-gives-nods-to-grant-ogas-status-to-group-a-executive-cadre-officers-119070301021_1.html|title=Centre gives nods to grant OGAS status to Group 'A' Executive Cadre Officers|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=3 July 2019|via=Business Standard}} Organised Group 'A' Service (OGAS) status to Group 'A' executive cadre officers of five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). It also extended the benefit of Non-Functional Financial Up-gradation(NFFU) and Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) to the executive cadre officers at an enhanced rate of 30%.

;Officers

| colspan=2| Inspector General

| colspan=2| Deputy Inspector General

| colspan=2| Senior Superintendent

| colspan=2| Superintendent

| colspan=2| Additional Superintendent

| colspan=2| Deputy Superintendent

| colspan=6| ACP/ASP

|- style="text-align:center;"

{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}

|}

;Personnel other than officers

Recruitment of candidates to the CAPFs may be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission CAPF- AC exam, the Staff Selection Commission CPO exam or the respective service HQs depending on the post to be filled, the medical officers of the CAPFs, NSG and AR are recruited via a common interview/personality test by the medical officers selection board (MOSB) constituted by the office of ADG(Medical), CAPFs, NSG and AR.

The allotment of the force to the officer in any above exams is based on the merit rank and preference list.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Staff Selection Commission of the Union Government of India allowed the recruitment examination of the CAPF be conducted in Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Meitei (Manipuri), Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Urdu, Punjabi, and Konkani, 13 of the 22 official languages of the Indian Republic, in addition to Hindi and English.{{Cite web |title=Manipuri among 13 regional languages approved for CAPF exam |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/manipuri-among-13-regional-languages-approved-for-capf-exam |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Imphal Free Press |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-15 |title=CAPF Recruitment Examination In Assamese, Manipuri, Bengali, Odia & Other Regional Languages - NE India Broadcast |url=https://neindiabroadcast.com/2023/04/15/capf-recruitment-examination-in-assamese-manipuri-bengali-odia-other-regional-languages/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |language=en-US}}

;Officers

Officers in CAPFs are recruited through the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination conducted by UPSC. They are appointed as Assistant Commandants and are Gazetted Officers generally referred to as DAGOs (Directly Appointed Gazetted Officers) in CRPF, AC (Direct Entry) in BSF. DEGOs (Departmental Entry Gazetted Officers) are those officers who have been promoted through departmental exams conducted internally for Subordinate Officers. They are known as encounter specialists among police forces of India.

;Enlisted ranks

Sub Inspectors are recruited through competitive examination conducted by Staff Selection Commission and they are referred to as DASOs (Directly Appointed Subordinate Officers). DESOs (Departmental Entry Subordinate Officers) are those officers who have been promoted through departmental exams conducted internally for Constables, Head Constables, and Assistant Sub Inspectors.

Constables are recruited through a competitive examination conducted by Staff Selection Commission. Apart from the above modes, CAPFs conduct recruitment for specialized posts such as Engineers, Doctors, etc. among DAGOs and Wireless operators, Technicians, Nursing Staff, etc. among subordinate officers and constables directly under their own authority (MHA).

Women were not recruited for the Central Armed Police Forces until 1992. Earlier, the role of women was limited to supervisory roles.{{cite news |title=Government allows women to be combat officers in all Central Armed Police Forces |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-allows-women-to-be-combat-officers-in-all-central-armed-police-forces/articleshow/51380021.cms |access-date=9 January 2020 |work=The Economic Times |date=11 July 2018}} The Parliamentary Committees of India for women's empowerment recommended expanding women's roles in CAPF. The Ministry of Home Affairs declared reservation for women in constabulary, and later declared that they can also be inducted as officers in combat roles in five CAPFs. The Union Home Minister announced that women's representation in the CRPF and CISF would be made 15 percent while it would be 5 percent in the BSF, ITBP and SSB.{{cite news |title=Women quota in CRPF, CISF to be made 15 percent |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/women-quota-in-crpf-cisf-to-be-made-15-per-cent/cid/1681181 |access-date=9 January 2020 |work=telegraphindia.com |language=en}} In 2016, it was decided that 33 percent of posts at the constabulary level would be reserved for women in the CRPF and the CISF, and 14-15 percent of posts at the constable level in the BSF, SSB and ITBP in a phased manner.{{cite news |last1=Selvaraj |first1=A. |title=Archana Ramasundram becomes first woman to head paramilitary forces |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Archana-Ramasundram-becomes-first-woman-to-head-paramilitary-forces/articleshow/50811752.cms |access-date=9 January 2020 |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |language=en}}

• State Armed Police Forces
• Paramilitary forces of India
• Law enforcement in India
• Indian Armed Forces
• Central Armed Police Forces- Institute of medical sciences (CAPFIMS), Madangiri, Delhi.
• People's Armed Police - A similar agency in China

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