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Over 93,000 Vacancies in Central Armed Police Forces: What It Means for National Security

The Indian government has disclosed that over 93,000 positions are vacant in the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles, raising concerns about law enforcement and internal security. Minister Nityanand Rai provided detailed statistics, revealing the highest vacancies in the CRPF and CISF. Despite these challenges, he assured that the forces are effectively managing their responsibilities. The recruitment process is ongoing, with various measures in place to expedite hiring. Additionally, resignation rates have increased, while incidents of suicides and fratricides have decreased. The government is also addressing welfare for retired personnel through dedicated boards. Read on to learn more about the implications of these vacancies for national security.
By Ambika Singh Mar 11, 2026, 16:07 IST
Over 93,000 Vacancies in Central Armed Police Forces: What It Means for National Security

Vacancies in Central Armed Police Forces


New Delhi: The government has revealed that over 93,000 positions remain unfilled within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Assam Rifles, as disclosed in a recent session of the Rajya Sabha.


In response to a query, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai provided detailed statistics regarding the vacancies in these paramilitary forces. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) leads with the most significant number of unoccupied posts, totaling 27,400, while the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) follows closely with 28,342 vacancies.


The Border Security Force (BSF) has 14,531 open positions, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has 12,333, and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has 6,784 vacancies. The Assam Rifles accounts for 3,749 vacancies, bringing the overall total to 93,139.


Addressing concerns regarding the impact of these vacancies on law enforcement and internal security, Rai assured that the forces are effectively managing their duties.


He emphasized that the personnel are executing their responsibilities proficiently by maximizing the use of available resources.


The minister noted that the recruitment process for filling these vacancies is ongoing, facilitated by organizations such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).


To expedite the hiring process, several initiatives have been implemented, including annual recruitment drives for Constable (General Duty) positions through the SSC, appointing a nodal force to oversee recruitment for critical ranks, and employing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology during physical assessments to enhance the selection process.


Additionally, the government has shortened the duration of medical evaluations and reduced cut-off scores for candidates in categories experiencing shortages to ensure sufficient recruitment, according to Rai.


Regular meetings of departmental promotion committees are also being held to address promotional vacancies and speed up the process of increasing manpower.


In response to another inquiry, Minister Rai shared statistics regarding resignations within the CAPFs.


The data indicates a rising trend in resignations since 2021, with 2,333 resignations recorded in 2025, compared to 1,255 in 2021.


The figures reveal that there were 1,183, 2,037, and 2,724 resignations in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.


Moreover, the data shows a decrease in the rates of suicides, fratricides, and voluntary retirements among paramilitary personnel.


The number of suicides fell to 158 in 2025 from 143 in 2021, while fratricide incidents decreased from 11 in 2021 to 4 in 2025. Voluntary retirements also dropped significantly from 10,828 in 2021 to 4,291 in 2025.


Regarding the potential restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and other benefits for CAPF personnel following a 2023 Delhi High Court ruling that classified them as Armed Forces of the Union of India, Rai stated that the matter is currently under judicial review by the Supreme Court.


On the topic of welfare initiatives for CAPF members, Rai mentioned the establishment of the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB), which focuses on the welfare and rehabilitation of retired personnel and their families, including the Next of Kin (NoKs) of deceased or disabled members.


WARB has appointed Central Welfare Officers (CWOs), State Welfare Officers (SWOs), and District Welfare Officers (DWOs) across various states and union territories, Rai concluded.


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