How Many Women Were Recruited in CAPFs for 2024-25?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 3,239 women were recruited in CAPFs for FY 2024-25.
- The government aims for 5,171 women recruits in FY 2025-26.
- CRPF plans to add 1,192 women constables next year.
- Measures for safety include separate accommodations and medical support.
- Gender sensitization workshops are regularly conducted.
New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) A total of 3,239 women have been enlisted in the four Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) during the fiscal year 2024-25. According to the Centre, the CRPF enlisted 294 women, while the BSF brought in 1,680, the ITBP 1,093, and the SSB 172, as stated in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The Central government has reiterated its dedication to increasing women's involvement in the CAPFs, detailing recruitment statistics, future goals, and ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering safer and more gender-sensitive working conditions for female personnel.
Significantly, the government has established a lofty target of hiring 5,171 women in FY 2025-26, with the CRPF alone planning to recruit 1,192 women constables in the upcoming year. The BSF targets 2,513, followed by the ITBP with 1,375 and SSB with 91.
This information was disclosed in a written response by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in the Rajya Sabha while addressing a query from MP Kartikeya Sharma.
In response to a question regarding the Centre's intentions to bolster the number of women in the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB to establish dedicated women’s units, MoS Rai mentioned that the government had decided in January 2016 to allocate 33 percent of constable positions for women in the CRPF, and 14-15 percent at the constable level in BSF, SSB, and ITBP.
Rai stressed that the government is implementing “every measure and effort” to guarantee secure working conditions and gender-sensitive operational protocols for women in all forces.
“Women are provided with separate accommodations, rest areas, and bathrooms. Creches and Day Care Centres are available for their children, along with women-centric medical support to address health issues specific to women, Women Help Desks, and confidential mechanisms to manage complaints related to sexual harassment,” the MoS highlighted in his response.
He also noted that regular workshops on gender sensitization are organized, and female personnel are typically assigned in section strength or buddy pairs for operational safety. Flexible shift arrangements are implemented wherever feasible to better support women in service.