Rajya Sabha Passes CAPF Bill 2026 Amid Opposition Walkout

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, with a voice vote amid the walkout by the entire Opposition in protest. The bill provides for 50 per cent of posts in the CAPFs to be filled by deputation in the rank of Inspector General, a minimum of 67 per cent in the rank of Additional Director General, and all posts in the ranks of Special Director General and Director General.

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Government Defends Bill's Provisions

Replying to the debate, Union MoS Nityanand Rai said that the bill aims to strengthen the security system of the country by streamlining better coordination and implementation and boosting the efficiency and morale of the armed forces.

"The bill was placed before the House not as a legislative proposal but with the purpose of strengthening the security system of the country. The bill is an important step in the direction of resolving several inconsistencies in the service rules, cadre management, appointment-related issues, among others, to boost the efficiency and morale of the armed forces," he said.

"The bill aims to create an umbrella structure for resolving several such anomalies and streamlining its structure for better coordination and implementation," he added. Addressing the concern on the Opposition, Nityanand Rai clarified, "The bill is not against the federal structure. In fact, it further strengthens the federal structure."

Opposition Slams Bill, Stages Walkout

The Opposition MPs flagged that the bill goes against the Supreme Court judgment in 2025, which called for "the number of posts earmarked for deputation in the cadres of the CAPFs up to the level of Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) should be progressively reduced over a period of time, say within an outer limit of two years."

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari accused the Centre of "looting" CAPF soldiers' rights, highlighting the government's "hell-bent" attitude over the bill. "The Supreme Court, after much deliberation, gave a decision which the Modi government is today trampling upon with the brute force of its majority. That soldier, that force which lays down their lives for us. They protect us at the borders, they defend Parliament, they defend the country--today the government is looting their rights. When a committee was formed on this, the personnel of the CAPF were not even given a chance to put forth their side... The opposition members walked out because when you don't want to listen, and you're hell-bent on doing what even the Supreme Court doesn't want, then under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, we have staged a walkout for that."

Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the Centre of "creating division" in the armed forces, alleging that the bill was rushed without taking the Opposition into confidence. "The way the BJP has brought a divisive mindset into the country, in the same way, an attempt is being made to create division in the armed forces as well.... There was a discussion here, listening to everyone's views, understanding what's in everyone's mind, it was necessary to win everyone's trust, but here they have done something to discourage. And the way the bill has been brought, work is being done against the Supreme Court's decision, so it seems that this government is acting arbitrarily. In protest against this, we have walked out today," Chaturvedi said.

RJD MP Manoj Jha questioned the functioning of the government after the bill was passed. "What kind of people are these? Is this the government's way of functioning? Who is advising them? This is also a contempt of court; for this very reason, the entire opposition has walked out of the House," he said.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh termed the passing of the bill as "unfortunate", adding that the CAPF soldiers are watching Centre's "dictatorship". "It is unfortunate that the government has brought a law to rob our soldiers, who defend 15,000 kilometres of the country's borders, and the rights of CAPF officers. This is a 50-year fight. Committees came from Murali Manohar Joshi, P. Chidambaram, and various officers who gave this report that CAPF officers should also get promotions, but the government has passed this black law. The 11 lakh CAPF soldiers of the country are watching the government's dictatorship and will respond when the time comes," he said. (ANI)