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Supreme Court Issues Notice on Petitions Challenging CAPF Act, 2026
The Supreme Court issues notice to the Union Government on petitions filed by serving CAPF officers challenging the Central Armed Police Force (General Administration) Act, 2026. The petitions challenge provisions that reserve senior posts for IPS officers and authorise the Centre to amend schedules by notification.
CAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026: Petitions and Challenged Provisions
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Petitioners | Serving CAPF officers file petitions challenging the CAPF Act, 2026. |
| Forces mentioned | The petitions are filed by officers from CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and other forces. |
| Sections challenged | The petitions seek to declare Section 3 and Section 4 of the CAPF Act as ultra vires the Constitution of India. |
| Section 3: reservation of senior posts | Section 3 reserves senior posts for IPS officers: 50% IG, 67% ADG, 100% Special DG, and 100% DG. |
| Section 4: power to amend schedules | Section 4 authorises the Centre to amend schedules through simple notification in “public interest.” |
| Core legal argument: separation of powers | Petitioners state that the 2026 Act overrides a binding Supreme Court judgment without fixing its legal flaws, and this violates the doctrine of separation of powers. |
| Constitutional provisions cited | The petitions cite fundamental rights under Articles 14, 16, and 21. |
| Article 14 | Article 14 provides for equality before law. |
| Article 16 | Article 16 provides for equality in public jobs. |
| Article 21 | Article 21 provides for right to life and liberty. |