CAPF To Be Recognised As Organised Services: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court in a recent order ruled that Group A officers of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) from batches dating back to 1986 are recognised as “ Organised Group A Services” for “all purposes”.

Key Details of the Case

Background: Group A officers of the CAPFs approached the Supreme Court in 2021, seeking Non Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU), cadre review and restructuring and amendment of recruitment rules to eliminate IPS deputation and allow internal promotions up to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG)
Judgement:
- Deputations: The deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers into senior CAPF ranks (like DIG and IG) should be reduced progressively over the next two years.

Organized Group ‘A’ Services

They are a distinct subset of Central Civil Services (Group A), which are responsible for administering the Union Government
These services are specifically constituted by the Cadre Controlling Authority.
These have a hierarchical structure, with different grades of posts corresponding to different levels of responsibility.
Benefits: It includes regular promotions within reasonable timeframes, Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) and financial upgradation even without actual promotion (through the Non-Functional Upgradation – NFFU).

Non Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU)

NFFU is a system where government employees, particularly in organized Group A services, are financially upgraded without a formal promotion
- Example: If a 1989 batch IAS officer is promoted to an Additional Secretary Rank, all other Group ‘A’ officers from the same batch would also be placed in the “Additional Secretary” pay grade but without promotion.
Introduced: The concept was introduced In 2006, as a part of the Sixth Central Pay Commission’s recommendations.
Objective: To address stagnation among Group A service officers.

- - Presently, 20% of posts in the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and 50% of posts in the rank of Inspector General (IG) in CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers.
The SC directed a cadre review in all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) within six months.
- Service rules or recruitment rules should be amended, allowing all connected benefits of Organised Group A Services (OGAS) to CAPFs
Significance of the Order:
- Internal Promotions: Lateral entry by the way of IPS deputation at senior levels will be eliminated once the CAPFs are declared as OGAS for “all purposes” as steps like cadre review and restructuring of the service rules/recruitment rules will be implemented.
- End Career Stagnancy: The order will lead to timely promotions and pay upgradation within the CAPF ranks boosting their morale.
  - Example: A CAPF officer who joins as Assistant Commandant (AC) takes 25 years to be promoted as a Commandant, which ideally should be 13 years.

About Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are seven armed police organizations in India responsible for maintaining internal security, guarding borders, and counterinsurgency.
Administrative Authority: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Roles: The CAPF is classified into three groups,
- Border Guarding Forces: Assam Rifles (Indo-Myanmar border), Border Security Force (India- Pakistan/Bangladesh), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (Indo-China Border) and Sashastra Seema Bal (India- Nepal/Bhutan)
- Forces for Internal Security: Central Industrial Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force
- Special Task Force (National Security Guard)
Union Police Force: CAPFs are categorized under the “other armed forces” in the Union List of the Constitution of India and function in accordance with Article 355
All CAPF personnel are entitled to at least three promotions during their service

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