CAPF personnel to get honorary rank, a level higher, on retirement

NEW DELHI: In a big morale-booster for non-officer ranks in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), ministry of home affairs has decided to confer on them an honorary rank, one level higher than the existing one, on the day of their retirement. The incentive - approved by home minister Amit Shah for CAPF personnel retiring from the rank of constable up to sub-inspector level - will however not grant them any financial or pension benefits.

"This historic decision, taken under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, aims at boosting self-respect, pride and morale of personnel..." home ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Upon retirement, a CAPF constable, who meets the eligibility criteria, will be conferred the honorary rank of head constable, a head constable that of assistant sub-inspector, an assistant sub-inspector of sub-inspector, and a sub-inspector of inspector upon retirement. In case of Assam Rifles, a rifleman will retire as havildar, a havildar as warrant officer, a warrant officer as naib subedar, and a naib subedar as subedar.

To be conferred the honorary rank, CAPF or Assam Rifles personnel must meet all promotion criteria at the time of retirement and have a good and clean service record. The evaluation of annual performance appraisal report of past five years of personnel must be at least 'good' and without any major punishment. Also, integrity of personnel must be beyond doubt, with departmental inquiry and vigilance approval being mandatory.

The honorary rank shall be granted based on recommendation of the commanding officer, and conferred on the day of retirement. No financial or pension benefits will be admissible along with the honorary rank, which will only be granted where the rank to be conferred exists within the category to which the personnel belong. Granting the honorary rank will not affect the inter-se seniority of personnel, said the ministry.