Police Reforms and Central Armed Police Forces Notes for UPSC

The police are the first and most visible face of the State, and the quality of policing decides the sense of safety and justice of ordinary citizens. The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) protect the borders, fight insurgents and guard the key institutions. For the UPSC, the Prelims asks about the CAPFs, their year of origin and roles, and about the major committees and judgments; the Mains asks about police reforms, the problems of the police system and the coordination between the Centre and the States. This note explains the structure of Indian policing, the police reform debate, the Supreme Court directions and the role of each central force in simple language, with tables.

Structure of Policing in India

"Police" and "public order" are subjects of the State List in the Seventh Schedule, so each State has its own police force, headed by a Director General of Police (DGP). The Centre maintains the Central Armed Police Forces and the central investigation agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and supports the States with funds and training. The Indian Police Service (IPS) officers lead the police at the senior level and are recruited by the Union Public Service Commission. The basic law was the Police Act of 1861, made by the British after the revolt of 1857 to control the population, and many States continue to have laws based on it. In July 2024, the three new criminal laws, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, with changes in procedure, such as the use of technology in investigation.

Problems of the Police System

• Political interference: Transfers and postings influenced by politicians affect the independence of the police.
• Shortage of manpower: The police-population ratio is lower than the UN-recommended standard of 222 police per lakh people, and many posts are vacant; the representation of women is also low.
• Heavy workload and poor conditions: Long working hours, no weekly off in many places, poor housing and low morale.
• Outdated training and equipment: Weak skills in forensics and cyber crime.
• Poor public image: Complaints of corruption, custodial violence and the lack of sensitivity.
• Combined duties: The same police handle law and order and investigation, which hurts the quality of investigation.

Committees and Commissions on Police Reform

Prakash Singh Case (2006): Seven Directives

In Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006), the Supreme Court gave seven directions to the Centre and the States, to give the police more independence and accountability.

1. Set up a State Security Commission to prevent unwarranted political pressure and to lay down broad policy.
2. Choose the DGP from a panel of the three senior-most officers shortlisted by the UPSC, and give him or her a minimum tenure of two years.
3. Give a minimum tenure of two years to the officers in the field, such as the SP of a district and the station house officer.
4. Separate the investigation function from the law and order function in the bigger towns.
5. Set up a Police Establishment Board to decide on the transfers, postings and promotions of the officers below a certain rank.
6. Set up the Police Complaints Authorities at the State and district levels to inquire into serious complaints against the police.
7. Set up a National Security Commission to select and place the heads of the Central Armed Police Forces.

The progress has been slow, and many States have only partly followed the directions or passed laws that dilute them. The Supreme Court has repeated that the reforms must be implemented in letter and spirit.

Modernisation and Technology

• Modernisation of Police Forces scheme: Central help for weapons, vehicles, forensic labs and communication systems.
• CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems): A national database linking the police stations to track crime and criminals.
• Dial 112 (ERSS): A single emergency number for police, fire and medical help.
• Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR and D): Does research, training and the modernisation work; publishes the data on police strength.
• Smart policing: Use of data analytics, CCTV, body cameras and digital forensics. Community policing, with the involvement of citizens, is also encouraged.

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)

There are seven forces called the CAPFs under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The States and the Centre use them for border management, internal security, disaster response and the protection of important installations.

Other related forces include the Special Protection Group (SPG, 1988) for the protection of the Prime Minister, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF, 2006) for disaster response, the Railway Protection Force and the Indian Coast Guard (1978, under the Ministry of Defence) for the maritime zones. After the 26/11 attack in 2008, coastal security was improved through marine police stations, joint patrolling and the National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security.

Issues With the CAPFs

The CAPFs face a heavy workload, long deployments away from the family, stress and a high number of suicides and cases of fatigue; the shortage of officers from their own cadre, since many senior posts are held by IPS officers on deputation, is a long-standing grievance; and the pension and service benefits have also been discussed. The States sometimes depend too much on them for the local law and order, which weakens the State police. Better coordination with the State police and training in human rights are important.

Mains Angle: Why Have the Police Reforms Not Been Implemented?

You can say that the governments of all parties are reluctant to give up the control over the police, since the transfer and posting power is a tool of influence. Since police is a State subject, the Centre cannot force the reforms, and the States have different priorities. There is no strong public pressure, as the quality of policing is not a major election issue. The solution is to implement the Supreme Court directions, create a robust accountability system with the Police Complaints Authority, improve the recruitment and training, increase the manpower and women's representation, use technology for transparency, and promote the community policing so that the police become a friend of the public and not a force to be afraid of.

Memory Tip

Remember the founding years of the forces by the events: ITBP 1962 (the China war), SSB 1963, BSF 1965 (after the Indo-Pak war), CISF 1969, NSG 1984 (after the events of that year), and SPG 1988. For the Prakash Singh directives, use the keywords: Commission, DGP, tenure, separation, Board, Authority, National Commission.

Practice Questions

• Q1. Which case gave the seven directives on police reform? Answer: Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006).
• Q2. Which is the oldest CAPF? Answer: The Assam Rifles (1835).
• Q3. Which force guards the India-China border? Answer: The ITBP.
• Q4. When was the NSG raised? Answer: 1984.

Read it along with our notes on border management and Left Wing Extremism.

Quick Revision

• Police is a State subject; the Police Act of 1861; new criminal laws from July 2024.
• Prakash Singh (2006): State Security Commission, DGP tenure, separation of investigation, Complaints Authority.
• Seven CAPFs: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, NSG.
• SPG 1988, NDRF 2006, Coast Guard 1978.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is police a Central or State subject?

Police and public order are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule.

Which Act is the old basic police law?

The Police Act of 1861 is the old basic law that many States still follow.

What was the Prakash Singh case about?

It was the 2006 Supreme Court case that gave seven directives for police reforms.

What is a State Security Commission?

It is a body to keep the State police free from political pressure and set broad policies.

How many CAPFs are there in India?

There are seven Central Armed Police Forces: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles and NSG.

Which is the oldest paramilitary force in India?

The Assam Rifles, raised in 1835, is the oldest.

Which force guards the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh?

The Border Security Force (BSF) guards these borders.

What is the role of the CRPF?

The CRPF is the largest CAPF and handles law and order, counter-insurgency and anti-Naxal operations.

What is the NSG?

The National Security Guard is an elite counter-terror force, called the Black Cats, raised in 1984.

What is the SPG?

The Special Protection Group protects the Prime Minister, and was formed in 1988.

What is CCTNS?

The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems is a national network linking police stations to track crime.

Which new laws replaced the IPC and CrPC?

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita replaced them from July 2024.