In the first year of its emergence, FORCE’s objective was to present to its readers a ringside view of the roles and responsibilities of Indian military and paramilitary forces. To do so, it visited their selected operational areas to understand how they carried out their jobs, what had been the infusion and absorption of technology, how that shaped their training and doctrines, what challenges they faced and finally the state of their morale and motivation.

One recurring issue that came up every time FORCE interacted with the personnel of central paramilitary forces (CPMF) was systemic stagnation of cadre officers because of fewer vacancies in higher ranks. In any case, all hierarchical services follow a very steep growth pyramid structure, but in the case of the CPMF’s, the pyramid was further narrowed down because of the lateral induction of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in higher ranks. This was the cause of great dissatisfaction among the officers and deeply affected their morale.

This sentiment was more vociferously articulated by the officers of the border guarding forces, such as the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), as they frequently operated with the Indian Army on the Line of Control (with Pakistan) and Line of Actual Control (with China). In many instances, the BSF was also deployed along with the army on the anti-infiltration grid in Kashmir. This increased their aspirations as far as command was concerned, also because the BSF and ITBP battalions held area weapons, such as, mortars and rocket launchers, like the Indian Army’s infantry units. What’s more, BSF also has its own artillery regiment, officers of which, are frequently selected for courses with the Indian Army.

However, instead of meeting their growing aspirations, the government nipped it in 2011 by officially designating them and other central police organisations such as the Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force etc., as Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). But aspirations, like a genie, cannot be put back into the bottle. And so, over the years, the CAPF officers have been challenging their status and their right to leadership of their services etc., in the courts, which have consistently passed judgements favourable to them.

Not to be dissuaded by the series of these judgements, the government introduced and passed the CAPF Amendment Bill in April 2026, to which the President gave her nod in quick time leading to the notification of Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 on 9 April 2026. The Act mandates fixed vacancies for IPS officers in all CAPFs—50 per cent at the level of IGs, 67 per cent at ADGs level, and 100 per cent at DGs/Special DGs level. The openings have constitutionally been barricaded now.

The June cover story looks at this contentious issue from both perspectives. While the doors may have been closed, the matter is wide open. We will continue to look at this issue in the coming months. Meanwhile, enjoy this one. It has much more than the IPS-CAPF disagreement.