New Delhi (14.07.2025): The Centre has filed a review petition against May 23, 2025 judgment of the Supreme Court directing a 'progressive reduction' in the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The Apex Court had ruled that IPS deputation posts in the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) — up to the rank of Inspector General — be reduced “progressively over a period of time, say within an outer limit of two years.” An estimated 13,000 officers were likely to benefit from the ruling.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) submitted the review petition on July 11, 2025. Despite the order, the MHA continued to appoint IPS officers to senior positions, with at least eight appointments from Commandant to Inspector General ranks having been made since May 23. The SC had held that Group A officers of the CAPFs constitute “Organised Services” for “all purposes”, effectively recognising their demand for a structured promotional pathway within their own cadre.
The case dates back to 2015, when Group A officers of the CAPFs approached the court seeking Non Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU), cadre review, restructuring, and changes to recruitment rules to eliminate IPS deputation and enable internal promotions to SAG.
At present, 20 per cent of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) posts and 50 per cent of Inspector General (IG) posts in CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers. If implemented, the May 23 judgment would significantly curtail IPS dominance in the CAPFs which include the Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The MHA is the cadre-controlling authority for both IPS and CAPF officers.
