Centre notifies CAPF Act ahead of Supreme Court hearing on petitions

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday issued a notification bringing the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, into effect from October 8, according to official sources. The timing of the notification has drawn attention given that the Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions against the Act in the coming days.

The new legislation is intended to consolidate and streamline the administrative framework governing India's Central Armed Police Forces, which include the Central Bureau of Investigation, Central Industrial Security Force, and other armed paramilitary organisations. The Act replaces earlier administrative regulations and aims to provide a uniform administrative structure across these forces.

The notification of the Act ahead of the Supreme Court hearing suggests the Centre's confidence in the constitutional validity of the legislation. However, the petitioners have raised concerns about various provisions in the law, which are expected to be examined during the scheduled court hearings.

The special bench hearing the matter will examine the legal challenges raised by the petitioners, who have questioned specific provisions and their implications for the administration and functioning of the Central Armed Police Forces. The outcome of these proceedings could potentially impact the implementation of various sections of the newly notified Act.