Massive Vacancies Plague Central Armed Police Forces, 8.7% of Posts Unfilled
In a startling revelation to the Rajya Sabha, the Home Ministry disclosed that over 93,000 positions across five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles remain vacant as of January 1, 2026. This staggering figure represents approximately 8.7% of their combined sanctioned strength, raising serious concerns about operational efficiency and national security preparedness.
Detailed Breakdown of Vacancies Across Forces
Junior Home Minister Nityanand Rai, in a written reply, provided a force-wise breakdown of the vacancies. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is the hardest hit, with 28,342 posts vacant, accounting for 17.7% of its sanctioned strength. Following closely, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has 27,400 vacancies, or 9%, while the Border Security Force (BSF) reports 14,531 unfilled positions, making up 5.6%.
Other forces are not immune to this shortfall. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has 12,333 vacancies, representing 13.2%, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) faces 6,784 vacancies, or 7.2%, and Assam Rifles reports 3,749 unfilled posts, equating to 6% of its sanctioned strength.
Alarming Personnel Statistics: Suicides, Resignations, and Fratricides
In a separate response, Minister Rai highlighted distressing trends among CAPF personnel from 2021 to 2025. During this five-year period, 749 personnel committed suicide, indicating severe mental health challenges within the forces. Additionally, 9,532 personnel resigned, and 24 were killed in fratricide incidents, underscoring internal strife and dissatisfaction.
Voluntary retirements have also been a significant issue, with 46,529 personnel opting out between 2021 and 2025. However, there is a silver lining as the annual figures show a decline from a peak of 11,256 in 2022 to 4,291 in 2025, suggesting potential improvements in retention efforts or working conditions.
Government Initiatives to Address Recruitment Challenges
To combat the vacancy crisis, the Home Ministry has directed CAPFs and Assam Rifles to undertake recruitment in non-general duty cadres in a time-bound manner. This proactive step aims to streamline hiring processes and reduce delays that contribute to the backlog.
Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for yearly recruitment of constables in general duty roles, ensuring a structured and efficient approach to filling critical positions. In a move to widen the candidate pool, cutoff marks for shortlisting candidates have been lowered where necessary, making the recruitment process more accessible and inclusive.
These measures reflect the government's commitment to bolstering the strength of CAPFs and Assam Rifles, essential for maintaining internal security and border integrity. The ongoing efforts are crucial to addressing the personnel shortages and improving morale within these vital forces.
