UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Why is there controversy over the CAPF Bill?

Q1. In the controversy surrounding the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, the term 'Organised Group A Service (OGAS)' — which the Supreme Court held CAPF cadre officers to constitute — most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A structured, cadre-based civil service with a defined hierarchy and assured promotional pathways for its officers
  • B. Any Group A central service whose members are recruited exclusively through the Combined Defence Services examination
  • C. A service category that automatically guarantees its officers deputation to the Indian Police Service
  • D. A purely advisory grouping of paramilitary officers with no statutory recruitment or promotion rules

Q2. With reference to how the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill/Act, 2026 differs from the Supreme Court's 2025 direction on CAPF leadership, consider the following statements: 1. The Supreme Court's 2025 verdict directed that IPS officers' deputation in CAPFs up to the Senior Administrative Grade level be progressively reduced. 2. The 2026 Bill, by contrast, statutorily mandates that all posts at the ranks of Director General and Special Director General be filled by IPS deputation. 3. The 2026 Bill explicitly accepts the Supreme Court direction and removes IPS deputation entirely at the rank of Inspector General. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Supreme Court's 2025 verdict directed that IPS officers' deputation in CAPFs up to the Senior Administrative Grade level be progressively reduced.
  2. The 2026 Bill, by contrast, statutorily mandates that all posts at the ranks of Director General and Special Director General be filled by IPS deputation.
  3. The 2026 Bill explicitly accepts the Supreme Court direction and removes IPS deputation entirely at the rank of Inspector General.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following forces with reference to the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026: 1. Central Reserve Police Force 2. Sashastra Seema Bal 3. Assam Rifles 4. Indo-Tibetan Border Police Which of the above are correctly identified as CAPFs covered by the Bill?

  1. Central Reserve Police Force
  2. Sashastra Seema Bal
  3. Assam Rifles
  4. Indo-Tibetan Border Police
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Under the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, what is the minimum percentage of posts at the rank of Additional Director General that must be filled through deputation of IPS officers?

  • A. 50%
  • B. 67%
  • C. 75%
  • D. 100%

Q5. Which one of the following is the nodal ministry that introduced and administers the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Defence
  • C. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • D. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions