Over 93,000 CAPF posts vacant: Govt informs Rajya Sabha

The government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that over 93,000 posts remain vacant in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles . In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai presented the latest data, showing that the CRPF has 27,400 vacancies, CISF 28,342, BSF 14,531, ITBP 12,333, SSB 6,784, and Assam Rifles 3,749, bringing the total to 93,139 .

Responding to concerns on whether these vacancies affect operational efficiency, Rai said the forces continue to perform their duties professionally and effectively through optimal utilisation of available manpower . He added that recruitment is a continuous process , carried out through agencies such as UPSC and SSC. To expedite recruitment, the government has implemented measures including annual SSC recruitment for Constable posts, nomination of nodal forces for key ranks, the use of RFID technology during physical tests, faster medical examinations, and lowered cut-offs for underfilled categories. Regular departmental promotion committees meetings are also helping fill promotional vacancies.

On resignations, data shows a steady rise since 2021: 1,255 (2021), 1,183 (2022), 2,037 (2023), 2,724 (2024), and 2,333 in 2025 . Meanwhile, suicides, fratricides, and voluntary retirements have declined over the same period. Suicides dropped to 158 in 2025 (143 in 2021), fratricides to 4 (11 in 2021), and voluntary retirements to 4,291 (10,828 in 2021).

Regarding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and other perks after the Delhi High Court’s 2023 ruling recognising CAPF personnel as “Armed Forces of the Union of India”, Rai said the matter is sub-judice in the Supreme Court.

For welfare, the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) oversees retired CAPF personnel and their families, including Next of Kin of deceased or disabled personnel, assisted by Central, State, and District Welfare Officers.

Despite vacancies and rising resignations, the government maintains that CAPFs continue to meet law enforcement, internal security, and disaster response requirements effectively while recruitment and welfare measures remain in focus.