# Central Armed Police Forces

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) consist of seven armed police organizations under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, tasked with maintaining internal security, law and order, counterinsurgency, and protecting borders. Previously referred to as "paramilitary" forces, the term was officially discontinued in 2011.
The CAPF is classified into three groups: Border Guarding Forces (Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and Sashastra Seema Bal), Forces for Internal Security (Central Industrial Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force), and Special Task Force (National Security Guard). While the Assam Rifles is administratively under the MHA and part of the CAPF, its operational control is handled by the Indian Army.
These forces are categorized under the "other armed forces" in the Union List of the Constitution of India and function in accordance with Article 355, which mandates the Union to protect states against "external aggression" and "internal disturbances". Since "police" and "public order" fall under the State List, CAPF units are deployed to support state governments as required, while their powers, jurisdiction, privileges, and liabilities remain under the control of the Union government as specified in the Union List.

## Terminology

CAPF were formerly known as Central Para-Military Forces (CPMF), also various referred by Central Police Organisations (CPOs), Para-Military Forces (PMF) and Central Police Forces (CPF) interchangeably. In 2011, the Government of India released a circular adopting a uniform nomenclature to change the name of the forces to Central Armed Police Forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Initially, only five forces—BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB were covered under the new nomenclature, since AR was under the operational control of the Indian Army and NSG personnel were completely deputed from the Indian Army and other CAPFs. The name change was made for political reasons, to improve the international impression of the force, since in some countries the paramilitary refers to militant groups.
Currently, all the seven forces are listed under the CAPF definition by the Ministry.

## Role

Central Armed Police Forces are organised with the primary role of border guarding for AR, BSF, ITBP, SSB; Security of sensitive establishments by CISF, Assisting Police to tackle Law & Order, Counter-Terrorist Operations, Counter Naxal Operations by CRPF, NSG. Apart from the primary role, all CAPFs are involved in assisting Police in Law & Order situations and also Army in Counter-Terrorist Operations. BSF, ITBP and CRPF have assisted the army during external aggression in the past. CAPFs work along with both Indian Army & Police in different roles assigned to them.
Central Armed Police Forces personnel also serve in various important organisations such as Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Special Protection Group (SPG), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), State Armed Police Force (Jharkhand Jaguars, Bihar Military Police, UP/MP STF, DRG, IRB, Chattishgarh Armed Police etc.) on deputation and have attachment/training in various levels/formations/courses along with the Indian Army. Their role and performance, therefore, assumes a great significance due to the special features of an emergency force which is pressed in aid to the civil power to perform multiple roles in extremely difficult situations.

## Organisations
### Assam Rifles (AR)

The Assam Rifles is a central police and paramilitary organisation responsible for border security, counter-insurgency, and law and order in Northeast India. Its primary role is to guard the 1,643 kilometre long Indo-Myanmar border. The AR comes under the administration of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), while its operational control is maintained by the Indian Army. It is the oldest paramilitary force in India.

### Border Security Force (BSF)

The primary role of the Border Security Force is to guard the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders, it is deployed both on the international border and the LOC. The BSF also has active roles during times of war. It has 292,000 personnel in 192 battalions. The 1, 2 and 7 battalion of NDRF are requisitioned from BSF. It is also known for being the largest dedicated border guarding force in the world.

### Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

One of the largest industrial security forces in the world, the Central Industrial Security Force provides security to various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other critical infrastructure installations, major airports across the country and provides security during elections and other internal security duties and VVIP protection. It has a total strength of about 160,500 personnel in 132 battalions including 12 reserve battalions.

### Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

The Central Reserve Police Force is the largest of the Central Armed Police Forces units with 313,678 personnel in 247 battalions. The Central Reserve Police includes:
* The Rapid Action Force (RAF), a 15 battalion anti-riot force trained to respond to sectarian violence.
* The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA), a 10 battalion strong anti-Naxalite/COIN force.

### Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police is deployed for guarding duties on the Indo-China border from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Diphu Pass in Arunachal Pradesh covering a total distance of 3,488 km. It has 89,432 personnel in 56 fighting battalions, 2 DM and 4 specialised battalions.

### National Security Guard (NSG)

The National Security Guard (NSG), commonly known as Black Cats, is a counter-terrorism unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was founded on 16 October 1984 under the National Security Guard Act, 1986. All personnel are deputed from other CAPFs and the Indian Army.

### Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

The objective of the Sashastra Seema Bal (English: Armed Border Force) is to guard the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. It has 76,337 personnel and 73 battalions, as well as some reserved battalions.

## Personnel

On 5 February 2019, the Supreme Court of India ruled that five CAPFs would be granted Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU), and the status of Organised Group ‘A’ Services (OGAS), ending a nearly decade-long battle for the central armed police. In the judgment by Rohinton Fali Nariman and M. R. Shah, the court said that officers from BSF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP, and CISF should be granted the NFFU and will be considered as Organised Group A Central Services.
In July 2019, the Union Cabinet granted Organised Group 'A' Service (OGAS) status to Group 'A' executive cadre officers of five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). It also extended the benefit of Non-Functional Financial Up-gradation(NFFU) and Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) to the executive cadre officers at an enhanced rate of 30%.

### Rank structure
#### Officers

| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| Assam Rifles vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Assam Rifles vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Inspector general - | Inspector general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Commandant - | Commandant - | Second-in-command - | Second-in-command - | Deputy commandant - | Deputy commandant - | Assistant commandant - | Assistant commandant - | | | | | | |
| Border Security Force vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Border Security Force vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Inspector general - | Inspector general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Commandant - | Commandant - | Second-in-command - | Second-in-command - | Deputy commandant - | Deputy commandant - | Assistant commandant - | Assistant commandant - | | | | | | |
| Central Industrial Security Force vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Central Industrial Security Force vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Inspector general - | Inspector general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Senior commandant - | Senior commandant - | Commandant - | Commandant - | Deputy commandant - | Deputy commandant - | Assistant commandant - | Assistant commandant - | | | | | | |
| Central Reserve Police Force vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Central Reserve Police Force vte | | | | | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Director-general - Special director-general - Additional director-general - | Inspector general - | Inspector general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Commandant - | Commandant - | Second-in-command - | Second-in-command - | Deputy commandant - | Deputy commandant - | Assistant commandant - | Assistant commandant - | | | | | | |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police vte | | | | | Director-general - | Additional director-general - | Inspector general - | Inspector general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Additional deputy inspector-general - | Commandant - | Commandant - | Second-in-command - | Second-in-command - | Deputy commandant - | Deputy commandant - | Assistant commandant - | Assistant commandant - | | | | | | |
| National Security Guard vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| National Security Guard vte | | | | | Director general - | Additional director general - | Inspector general - | Inspector general - | Deputy inspector general - | Deputy inspector general - | Group commander - | Group commander - | Second in command - | Second in command - | Deputy commander - | Deputy commander - | Team commander - | Team commander - |
| Sashastra Seema Bal vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sashastra Seema Bal vte | | | | | Director-general - | Additional director-general - | Inspector general - | Inspector general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Deputy inspector-general - | Commandant - | Commandant - | Second-in-command - | Second-in-command - | Deputy commandant - | Deputy commandant - | Assistant commandant - | Assistant commandant - | | | | | | |
| Police equivalent | | | | | Director General of Police Director General Additional Director General | Director General of Police Director General Additional Director General | Inspector General | Inspector General | Deputy Inspector General | Deputy Inspector General | Senior Superintendent | Senior Superintendent | Superintendent | Superintendent | Additional Superintendent | Additional Superintendent | Deputy Superintendent | Deputy Superintendent | ACP/ASP | ACP/ASP | ACP/ASP | ACP/ASP | ACP/ASP | ACP/ASP |
| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |

#### Personnel other than officers

| Rank group | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables |
| Assam Rifles vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Assam Rifles vte | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar सूबेदार | Subedar सूबेदार | Naib subedar नायब सूबेदार | Naib subedar नायब सूबेदार | Warrant officer - | Warrant officer - | Warrant officer - | Warrant officer - | Warrant officer - | Warrant officer - | Havildar हवलदार | Havildar हवलदार | Havildar हवलदार | Havildar हवलदार | Havildar हवलदार | Havildar हवलदार | | | | | | | Rifleman - | Rifleman - | Rifleman - | Rifleman - | Rifleman - | Rifleman - | Rifleman - | Rifleman - |
| Border Security Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Border Security Force vte | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Inspector निरीक्षक | Sub-inspector उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | | | | | | | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - |
| Central Industrial Security Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Central Industrial Security Force vte | | | | | | | Inspector निरीक्षक | Sub inspector उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | | | | | | | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - |
| Central Reserve Police Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Central Reserve Police Force vte | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Inspector निरीक्षक | Sub-inspector उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | | | | | | | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police vte | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar/Inspector सूबेदार/निरीक्षक | Sub inspector उप निरीक्षक | | | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Naik नायक | Naik नायक | Naik नायक | Naik नायक | Lance naik लांस नायक | Lance naik लांस नायक | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - |
| National Security Guard vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| National Security Guard vte | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Assistant commander-1 - | Assistant commander-2 - | Assistant commander-3 - | Assistant commander-3 - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade I - | Ranger grade II - | Ranger grade II - | Ranger grade II - | Ranger grade II - | | | Combatised tradesmen - | Combatised tradesmen - | Combatised tradesmen - | Combatised tradesmen - | Combatised tradesmen - | Combatised tradesmen - | Combatised tradesmen - | Combatised tradesmen - |
| Sashastra Seema Bal vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia | No insignia |
| Sashastra Seema Bal vte | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Subedar major सूबेदार मेजर | Inspector निरीक्षक | Sub inspector उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Assistant sub-inspector सहायक उप निरीक्षक | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Head constable हवलदार | Naik नायक | Naik नायक | Naik नायक | Naik नायक | Lance naik लांस नायक | Lance naik लांस नायक | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - | Constable - |
| Rank group | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables | Constables |

### Recruitment

Recruitment of candidates to the CAPFs may be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission CAPF- AC exam, the Staff Selection Commission CPO exam or the respective service HQs depending on the post to be filled, the medical officers of the CAPFs, NSG and AR are recruited via a common interview/personality test by the medical officers selection board (MOSB) constituted by the office of ADG(Medical), CAPFs, NSG and AR. The allotment of the force to the officer in any above exams is based on the merit rank and preference list.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Staff Selection Commission of the Union Government of India allowed the recruitment examination of the CAPF be conducted in Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Meitei (Manipuri), Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Urdu, Punjabi, and Konkani, 13 of the 22 official languages of the Indian Republic, in addition to Hindi & English.

#### Officers

Officers in CAPFs are recruited through the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination conducted by UPSC. They are appointed as Assistant Commandants and are Gazetted Officers generally referred to as DAGOs (Directly Appointed Gazetted Officers) in CRPF, AC (Direct Entry) in BSF. DEGOs (Departmental Entry Gazetted Officers) are those officers who have been promoted through departmental exams conducted internally for Subordinate Officers. They are known as encounter specialists among police forces of India.

#### Enlisted ranks

Sub Inspectors are recruited through competitive examination conducted by Staff Selection Commission and they are referred to as DASOs (Directly Appointed Subordinate Officers). DESOs (Departmental Entry Subordinate Officers) are those officers who have been promoted through departmental exams conducted internally for Constables, Head Constables, and Assistant Sub Inspectors.
Constables are recruited through a competitive examination conducted by Staff Selection Commission. Apart from the above modes, CAPFs conduct recruitment for specialized posts such as Engineers, Doctors, etc. among DAGOs and Wireless operators, Technicians, Nursing Staff, etc. among subordinate officers and constables directly under their own authority (MHA).

### Women in CAPF

Women were not recruited for the Central Armed Police Forces until 1992. Earlier, the role of women was limited to supervisory roles. The Parliamentary Committees of India for women's empowerment recommended expanding women's roles in CAPF. The Ministry of Home Affairs declared reservation for women in constabulary, and later declared that they can also be inducted as officers in combat roles in five CAPFs. The Union Home Minister announced that women's representation in the CRPF and CISF would be made 15 percent while it would be 5 percent in the BSF, ITBP and SSB. In 2016, it was decided that 33 percent of posts at the constabulary level would be reserved for women in the CRPF and the CISF, and 14-15 percent of posts at the constable level in the BSF, SSB and ITBP in a phased manner.