Posts Vacant in CAPF and Assam Rifles: The government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that over 93,000 posts are vacant in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai presented vacancy data in paramilitary forces. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has 28,342 vacant posts, followed by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with 27,400.
The Border Security Force (BSF) currently has 14,531 vacancies, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has 12,333, and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has 6,784. Additionally, the Assam Rifles has 3,749 vacant posts, bringing the total to 93,139.
Expressing concern about whether the vacancies have impacted law enforcement, internal security, and disaster response capabilities, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that the forces are performing their duties well. Rai said, “The forces are performing all their responsibilities in a very professional manner, utilising the available resources effectively.”
Over 93,000 Posts Vacant in CAPF and Assam Rifles
The Minister Nityanand Rai further stated that filling vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles is an ongoing process. These recruitments are conducted through government organisations such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
Steps taken to expedite recruitment include annual recruitment of Constables (General Duty) through the SSC, the appointment of a nodal force to coordinate recruitment for critical posts, and the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology during physical tests.
Nityanand Rai stated that the time taken for medical examinations has also been reduced, and cut-off marks for shortlisting candidates have been lowered in categories where there are shortages. Departmental Promotion Committees also meet regularly to fill promotional vacancies.
Responding to another question, Nityanand Rai said that resignations in the CAPFs have increased in recent years, rising from 1,255 in 2021 to 2,333 in 2025. This figure increased to 1,183 in 2022, 2,037 in 2023, and 2,724 in 2024.
Data shared by the government also revealed a decrease in cases of suicide, fratricide, and voluntary retirement. There were 158 suicide cases reported in 2025, compared to 143 in 2021, while fratricide cases decreased from 11 in 2021 to four in 2025. Voluntary retirements declined from 10,828 in 2021 to 4,291 in 2025.
Regarding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for CAPF personnel following the 2023 Delhi High Court decision that deemed the CAPFs to be “armed forces of the Union of India,” Nityanand Rai said the matter is currently pending in the Supreme Court. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs has established the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) to assist retired CAPF personnel and their families, including close relatives of deceased or disabled personnel.
The Board has appointed Central, State, and District Welfare Officers in states and union territories to oversee welfare and rehabilitation efforts.
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