NEW DELHI: Over 93,000 posts across five central armed police forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, amounting to around 8.7% of their combined sanctioned strength, were vacant as of Jan 1, 2026, the home ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.As many as 28,342 posts (17.7%) are vacant in CISF, 27,400 (9%) in CRPF, 14,531 (5.6%) in BSF, 12,333 (13.2%) in ITBP, 6,784 (7.2%) in SSB and 3,749 (6%) in Assam Rifles, junior home minister Nityanand Rai said in written reply to a question. Answering a separate question relating to CAPFs, Rai told the RS on Wednesday that 749 CAPF personnel had committed suicide between 2021 and 2025, 9,532 had resigned and 24 were killed in fratricide incidents. Also, 46,529 CAPF personnel took voluntary retirement in the same five-year period, though the annual figure declined from a high of 11,256 in 2022 to 4,291 in 2025.Rai said the CAPFs and Assam Rifles have been directed to undertake recruitment against the vacant posts in non-general duty cadres in a time-bound manner. Also an MoU has been signed with the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for yearly recruitment for the post of constable (general duty) in a time-bound manner, he added.Cutoff marks for shortlisting of candidates for constable/general duty have also been lowered where required. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Modi Sold Bharat Mata’: Rahul Blasts Centre Over India-US Trade Deal, Govt hits back’India A Priority, No Second Class Citizen’: Jamaat Chief’s Big Statement Before Key Bangladesh VoteBangladesh Elections 2026: Key Players and Why India, China & Pakistan Are WatchingEntertainment Value Or Evidence? Hardeep Puri Blasts Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Buffoonery’ On Epstein FilesMuhammad Yunus Assures Smooth Handover Ahead Of Bangladesh’s First Elections After Hasina Exit”If You Had Taken My Advice” Jagdambika Pal Responds To Rahul Gandhi’s Ex-Congress Jab“Will Move Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi”: BJP Slams Rahul Over ‘Baseless Allegations’BJP MP Counters Rahul Gandhi’s Trade Deal Attack, Anurag Thakur Says Grip Talk Exposed WeaknessLok Sabha Sees Massive Ruckus As Rahul Gandhi Mentions Epstein Files, Adani Case; Slams PM ModiIndia’s New Rule Mandates Full ‘Vande Mataram’ National Song Before ‘Jana Gana Mana’ National Anthem123Photostories6 successful conservation stories from India, and why they are such great news6 desi Indian pulses (dal) with GI tag and how they are consumedChinese New Year travel guide: 5 cities to experience the magicInside MS Dhoni’s lavish garage: 5 stunning cars that define his style10 traditional local dishes from Hyderabad that are a must-tryArchana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi open up about their parenthood journey; son Aaryamann says, “I have had the worst depression, won’t wish it on anyone”Ahead of ‘O’Romeo’ release, take a look at Shahid Kapoor’s 7 highest-grossing films; ‘Padmaavat’ to ‘Kabir Singh’7 biggest movie references in the 2026 Olympics figure skating competition: ‘Dune’, ‘Interstellar’ and more‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Dhol’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’: Rajpal Yadav’s films that cemented his status as Bollywood’s comedy powerhouse5 luxury interior ideas to borrow from Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat123Hot PicksMumbai Mayor SelectionGold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionBharat BandhIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingEngland vs West Indies Live ScoreScott NiedermayerBengaluru Techie MurderMM NaravaneKhwaja AsifBengaluru Businessman Bank Account HackedKiren RijijuHind Al OwaisBOB Assistant Admit CardWhen JEE Main Result Out
NEW DELHI: Over 93,000 posts across five central armed police forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, amounting to around 8.7% of their combined sanctioned strength, were vacant as of Jan 1, 2026, the home ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.As many as 28,342 posts (17.7%) are vacant in CISF, 27,400 (9%) in CRPF, 14,531 (5.6%) in BSF, 12,333 (13.2%) in ITBP, 6,784 (7.2%) in SSB and 3,749 (6%) in Assam Rifles, junior home minister Nityanand Rai said in written reply to a question. Answering a separate question relating to CAPFs, Rai told the RS on Wednesday that 749 CAPF personnel had committed suicide between 2021 and 2025, 9,532 had resigned and 24 were killed in fratricide incidents. Also, 46,529 CAPF personnel took voluntary retirement in the same five-year period, though the annual figure declined from a high of 11,256 in 2022 to 4,291 in 2025.Rai said the CAPFs and Assam Rifles have been directed to undertake recruitment against the vacant posts in non-general duty cadres in a time-bound manner. Also an MoU has been signed with the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for yearly recruitment for the post of constable (general duty) in a time-bound manner, he added.Cutoff marks for shortlisting of candidates for constable/general duty have also been lowered where required.