CRPF Considers Restoring Lance Naik and Naik Ranks After 29 Years

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is considering restoring the Army ranks of lance naik and naik, which were abolished in the force in 1997, to address promotion delays and improve recruitment prospects among retiring Army Agniveers.

Officials said the CRPF headquarters has asked field formations across the country to organise Sainik Sammelans within two days to gather personnel’s views on the proposal. A Ministry of Home Affairs order eliminated the two ranks in 1997, merging their positions with the constable and head constable categories. The ranks, however, continue to exist in the Indian Army.

The approximately 3.25-lakh-strong CRPF faces significant promotion stagnation, with constables reportedly waiting an average of 22 to 25 years for their first promotion. Officials believe restoring the two intermediate ranks could create additional opportunities for advancement and improve personnel morale.

The proposal is also intended to make the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) more attractive to retiring Agniveers. Under the Agnipath scheme, recruits serve in the armed forces for four years before leaving, with opportunities to seek employment in other services.

Currently, some constables wear an unofficial senior constable insignia comparable to the lance naik rank, but no equivalent arrangement exists for naik. Ranbir Singh, secretary general of the Ex-Paramilitary Personnel Association, said the proposal would benefit personnel only if it guaranteed time-bound promotions.

A senior CRPF commandant stressed that restoring the ranks should not be merely cosmetic and must preserve battalion discipline and operational effectiveness. The force must consider organisational structure and regimentation before implementing any changes.