Over 84,000 Vacancies in CAPFs and Assam Rifles: Govt. Expediting Recruitment

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha of 84,106 vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles as of July 2024. The government is taking steps to fill these through UPSC and SSC, with 67,345 recruits already enlisted between April 2023 and February 2024.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, disclosed to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that there are currently 84,106 vacancies within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) as of July 1, 2024. The total sanctioned strength stands at 10,45,751.

Responding to a query from Rajya Sabha member CVE Shanmugam, Rai confirmed the figures and emphasized that filling these vacancies is a continuous process. He noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to expediting the recruitment process through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), and the relevant forces.

"Between April 2023 and February 2024, a total of 67,345 individuals have been recruited," Rai told the Upper House. He also revealed that 64,091 vacancies have been announced and are in various stages of recruitment. Despite the large number of vacancies, Rai stressed that the size of these forces makes the impact on overtime negligible.

To address the staffing shortfall, the government has implemented several measures, including annual recruitment drives for constable (general duty) positions through a Memorandum of Understanding with the SSC. A Nodal Force has been established to coordinate recruitment for different ranks. Directions have been issued for timely recruitment in non-general duty cadres.

Additionally, the timely conduct of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings has been prioritized to fill promotional vacancies. Rai stated that the duration of medical examinations has been reduced to speed up the recruitment process. He also announced that 10 percent of vacancies will be reserved for ex-Agniveers, with relaxation in age limits and exemptions from the Physical Efficiency Test. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)