Home Ministry Says Over 93,000 Posts Vacant In Central Armed Police Forces

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) disclosed in the Rajya Sabha that over 93,000 vacancies persist across India's Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB, signaling significant staffing shortages amid critical security demands.

Minister of State Nityanand Rai highlighted these gaps against a sanctioned strength exceeding 10 lakh personnel, attributing shortfalls to retirements, operational attrition, and recruitment delays. Recent drives like SSC GD Constable 2026 (25,487 posts) and UPSC CAPF AC 2026 (349 Assistant Commandants) aim to address constable and officer-level voids, with 10% reservation for ex-Agniveers including age relaxations.

CAPFs shoulder diverse roles from border guarding in Ladakh and Indo-Bangla frontiers to counter-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and VIP security via CISF. Vacancies strain deployments, with CRPF facing thousands of constable shortages despite handling anti-Maoist duties and Amarnath Yatra escorts.​

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The government has accelerated filling through multi-stage processes: computer-based tests, physical efficiency tests, medicals, and document verification. Special provisions exempt ex-Agniveers from PET, streamlining induction into forces like BSF (524 GD vacancies) and CISF (13,135 GD posts). Progress includes phased SSC results and UPSC exams slated for August 2026.

Opposition queries in Parliament pressed for timelines, prompting MHA assurances of continuous recruitment via UPSC, SSC, and force-specific rallies. These efforts support modernization with drones, AI surveillance, and non-lethal gear, vital against terrorism, illegal migration, and internal unrest.​

The revelation underscores broader challenges in paramilitary sustainability, with calls for improved welfare, housing, and promotional avenues to attract youth. Closing these gaps by year-end will enhance operational readiness in a volatile security landscape.

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