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Supreme Court Seeks Centre's Response on CAPF Act 2026 Challenged for Violating Articles 14, 16, 21

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
04 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:May 23, 2025Section 350%67%Articles 14, 16, 21
Bodies:Supreme CourtMinistry of Home Affairs
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.SC issued notice to Centre on a plea challenging the CAPF Act 2026 for allowing continued IPS deputation.

2.The Act appears to negate the May 23, 2025 SC judgment in Sanjay Prakash vs Union of India which mandated progressive reduction of deputation posts.

3.Petitioners argue the Act violates the doctrine of separation of powers by using legislation to override a judicial directive.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Supreme Court has questioned the constitutional validity of the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, which mandates IPS officer deputation to senior CAPF posts, potentially overriding a 2025 SC judgment. This case tests the separation of powers and the rights of CAPF cadre officers under Articles 14, 16, and 21.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Act ChallengedCAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026
Key JudgmentSanjay Prakash vs Union of India (May 23, 2025)
Articles Invoked14, 16, 21
Key ProvisionSection 3: DG post only by deputation; 67% ADG, 50% IG posts by deputation
SC BenchJustices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Act Challenged: CAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026
  • ›Key Judgment: Sanjay Prakash vs Union of India (May 23, 2025)
  • ›Target this Data: CAPF Act 2026; Section 3; 50% IG, 67% ADG, 100% SDG/DG posts by deputation
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) - administrative control of CAPFs
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Sanjay Prakash vs Union of India (2025); Articles 14, 16, 21; Doctrine of Separation of Powers

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry exercises administrative control over the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026:

1. The Act mandates that the Director General of CAPFs shall be filled only by deputation from the Indian Police Service.

2. The Act was enacted to implement the Supreme Court's 2025 judgment in Sanjay Prakash vs Union of India.

3. Petitioners have challenged the Act as violative of Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Constitution.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to Section 3 of the CAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026, what minimum percentage of posts in the rank of Additional Director General must be filled by deputation?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary constitutional argument raised by petitioners against the CAPF Act, 2026?

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