Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that government has sanctioned and created 71,231 new posts in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) between 2020 and 2024. These additions reflect government’s efforts to bolster operational capacity and readiness of these vital security forces. However, despite these measures, forces face a staggering 100,204 vacancies as of October 30, 2024.
A Breakdown of Vacancies
In a detailed written response, Minister Rai highlighted distribution of vacancies across various security forces:
| Force | Vacancies (as of Oct 2024) |
| Assam Rifles (AR) | 3,377 |
| Border Security Force (BSF) | 12,808 |
| Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) | 31,782 |
| Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) | 33,730 |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | 9,861 |
| Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) | 8,646 |
These vacancies are attributed to various factors, including retirements, resignations, promotions, natural deaths, formation of new battalions, and creation of additional posts in response to emerging security challenges.
Steps to Address Vacancies
Recruitment Processes
Minister Rai emphasized government’s commitment to addressing vacancies through a continuous recruitment process, facilitated by:
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC): For higher-ranking posts.
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC): For constable and junior-level positions.
- Force-Specific Recruitment Drives: Conducted by CAPFs and Assam Rifles.
Measures to Streamline Recruitment
To expedite filling of vacancies, several reforms and measures have been introduced:
- Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs):
- Regular DPC meetings are being held to fill promotional vacancies in a timely manner.
- Medical Examination Reforms:
- Steps have been taken to reduce delays in conducting medical examinations for new recruits, ensuring faster onboarding.
- Lowering Cut-Off Marks:
- For certain categories, particularly constable/GD positions, cut-off marks have been reduced to ensure a broader pool of eligible candidates.
- Time-Bound Recruitment:
- Specific directives have been issued to ensure recruitment for non-general duty cadres is conducted within a set timeline to prevent operational shortfalls.
Strengthening Operational Capacity
Key Challenges Addressed
CAPFs and Assam Rifles are tasked with handling diverse and critical operations, including:
- Border Security: Managing international borders with neighboring countries such as Pakistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- Counter-Insurgency Operations: Particularly in regions like Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast, and Naxal-affected areas.
- Industrial Security: Protecting critical infrastructure and installations across country.
Filling these vacancies is essential to maintain operational capacity of forces, particularly in light of rising internal and external security challenges.
Recent Recruitment Drives
government has made significant strides in recruitment, with thousands of candidates already undergoing training or deployed in field. addition of 71,231 new posts over five years is part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s security apparatus.
Assam Rifles and CAPFs: A Critical Role
Assam Rifles
As India’s oldest paramilitary force, Assam Rifles plays a vital role in maintaining law and order in Northeast, guarding India-Myanmar border, and supporting counter-insurgency operations.
CAPFs
CAPFs, which include BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, and SSB, are instrumental in:
- Managing border security.
- Conducting anti-terror and counter-insurgency operations.
- Protecting vital installations and industrial units.
- Assisting state governments during natural disasters or internal security crises.
Government’s Long-Term Vision
Modernization Efforts
In addition to addressing vacancies, government is focusing on modernization of equipment and infrastructure for CAPFs and Assam Rifles. This includes:
- Enhanced weaponry and surveillance systems.
- Upgraded communication networks.
- Better living and working conditions for personnel.
Welfare Initiatives
To retain talent and improve morale, several welfare measures have been introduced, including:
- Increased allowances for personnel posted in high-risk areas.
- Improved healthcare facilities for personnel and their families.
- Career advancement opportunities through timely promotions and training programs.
Challenges Ahead
While creation of over 71,000 posts and ongoing recruitment efforts are commendable, following challenges remain:
- High Attrition Rates:
- Frequent retirements and resignations continue to create new vacancies.
- Delays in Recruitment:
- Despite reforms, recruitment processes remain time-consuming, often leading to operational gaps.
- Geographical Constraints:
- Recruitment and deployment in remote and high-risk areas like Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir pose logistical challenges.
- Rising Security Demands:
- evolving nature of internal and external threats requires a continuous reassessment of force strength and capabilities.
Conclusion
addition of 71,231 new posts in CAPFs and Assam Rifles over past five years underscores government’s commitment to strengthening India’s security forces. However, 100,204 vacancies that remain highlight scale of challenge and need for sustained efforts to recruit and retain personnel.
Through a combination of streamlined recruitment, modernization initiatives, and welfare measures, government aims to enhance operational capacity of these critical forces. Addressing these issues promptly is essential to ensure safety and security of nation amidst rising security challenges.
Disclaimer
This article on Over 71,000 Posts Added in CAPFs and Assam Rifles Over 5 Years is based on publicly available information and credible sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to verify details independently. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.
