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ECI Requests MHA to Deploy 480 CAPF Companies in West Bengal by March 10 for Assembly Polls, Aiming for 3 Phases

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
21 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:480 CAPF companiesMarch 10, 2026230 CRPF companies3 election phases
Bodies:Election Commission of IndiaMinistry of Home AffairsSupreme CourtCalcutta High CourtCRPFBSFCISFITBPSSB
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What This Article Covers

1.The Election Commission of India (ECI) requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deploy 480 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal by March 10 for the 2026 Assembly elections.

2.The Supreme Court intervened in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of voter rolls, directing the Calcutta High Court to appoint judicial officers due to a trust deficit between the state government and the ECI.

3.The proposed large-scale CAPF deployment is part of a plan to conduct the elections in a maximum of three phases, a significant reduction from the usual six or seven phases.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

For the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission has requested deployment of 480 companies of Central Armed Police Forces by March 10. This massive security mobilization is part of a strategic plan to conduct the multi-phase polls in a maximum of three phases, aiming to enhance confidence and ensure smooth electoral logistics.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total CAPF Companies480 companies
Deployment DeadlineMarch 10, 2026
CRPF Companies230 companies
Proposed Election PhasesMaximum 3 phases

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total CAPF Companies: 480 companies
  • ›Deployment Deadline: March 10, 2026
  • ›Target this Data: 480 CAPF companies to be deployed by March 10, 2026.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) coordinates CAPF deployment on ECI's request.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Supreme Court's extraordinary order under Article 142 to appoint judicial officers for SIR process.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

As per the news, which ministry is responsible for coordinating the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for election duties?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. The Election Commission plans to conduct the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections in a maximum of three phases.

2. The Supreme Court directly appointed judicial officers for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in West Bengal.

3. Out of the 480 CAPF companies, the largest contingent of 230 companies is from the Border Security Force (BSF).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the news, how many companies of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are to be deployed in West Bengal by March 10?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary reason cited by the Supreme Court for its intervention in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal?

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