S K Sharma retired as Inspector General of Police in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) with over 36 years of experience in border and internal security. He worked in NSG for 5 years and looked after the security of many VIPs. He was involved in training of personnel and border management and worked in Kosovo for one year in UNMIK as Chief Logistic Officer. He also worked as Associate Professor in National Institute in Training of Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief at Chandigarh. A recipient of President Police Medal for Distinguish Service and President Police Medal of Meritorious Service, he was awarded nine Director General’s Commendation Discs. Excerpts from an interview:
Could you explain the key differences between the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS), particularly in the context of ITBP and other CAPF personnel?
Old Pension Scheme (OPS) is applicable to those Central Government employees who have joined service before 1st April 2004. In OPS, an employee gets 50% of his last basic pay plus DA as a pension on retirement and does not contribute from his pay during entire service. Whereas under NPS, employees contribute 10% of their salary, while the government adds 14%.
This pooled corpus is then invested in a mix of government securities, equities, and corporate bonds—much like mutual funds. Upon retirement, employees must use at least 40% of their corpus to purchase an annuity, which provides a steady income stream during retirement.
Now under Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), a new approach offering a guaranteed pension, employees who have served for 25 years or more will receive a pension equivalent to 50% of the average pay for their last 12 months. The government’s contribution increases to 18.5%, while the employee’s contribution remains at 10%. UPS also ensures a minimum monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for those who have worked for at least 10 years, along with a lump sum retirement benefit.
We, ex CAPFs personnel, are fighting for OPS for our force personnel who have joined service after April 2004. And they perform high risk nature of duties in Border area as well as in internal security duties.
Why do you and many others in the ITBP favour the Old Pension Scheme over the New Pension Scheme?
As I already explained that in OPS, the employee’s contribution is nil and he gets 50% of his last basic pay plus DA as a pension on retirement. Under NPS, employees contribute 10% of their salary, while the government.
The Army continues to enjoy the benefits of the Old Pension Scheme. Do you feel it’s unfair that CAPF personnel, despite being deployed in similar harsh conditions, are placed under NPS?
BSF, ITBP, SSB and CRPF, all we know that these personnel are performing very hard duties. Most of the ITBP’s Border Outposts are located at altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 18,800 ft where temperatures drop to minus 45 degrees Celsius in extreme winters.
CRPF is performing duties in Naxal affected area in Chhattisgarh and counter terrorism/counter insurgency ops in J&k and Manipur.
BSF is guarding Pakistan and Bangladesh border in tough and harsh conditions. We all working on border where the Army is also deployed. But our personnel are not getting the benefits of OPS.
Yes, being the armed force of the Union, our CAPF personnel, should also get the OPS.
Some believe the NPS offers more transparency and long-term sustainability. From your experience, how has it affected morale and financial security for jawans and officers nearing retirement?
Our Alliance of Ex-Paramilitary personnel Welfare Association had organised a Rally at Jantar Mantar for our demand of OPS for CAPF personnel. In NPS, the Jawan has to contribute 10% from his pay as contribution every month to become eligible where as in OPS he has a guaranteed 50% of his last salary as a pension and he has to contribute nothing towards his pension.
There is a long-standing demand that CAPFs like the ITBP should be led by their own cadre officers, rather than IPS officers. What are the practical issues with the current system of appointing IPS officers as DGs and top brass?
Since group A cadre of CAPFs have been declared by GOI as OGAS(Organised Group A Services) for availing the benefits of NFFU and NFSG, now there is urgent requirement of Service Rules instead if Recruitment Rules to govern the group A executive /None executive cadre.
Do you believe this lack of in-house leadership affects operational effectiveness, especially in difficult terrains where ITBP has years of specialized experience?
I will say in this regards that government has to see the concerns of officers in CAPF and there should be a proper cadre management cell in MHA under Home Secretary. They should get the promotion in due time as per OGAS order of DOP&T.
Why do you think CAPF officers and personnel are not given the same recognition or respect as their counterparts in the armed forces, despite doing equally challenging work?
We all know that CAPF personnel are doing duties in harsh and very tough conditions, their valour and sacrifices to nation be recognised. They should be given pension like Army personnel. They should not be treated as civilian personnel. They perform 24×7 days duties and live away from their families.
There are growing reports of stagnation in promotions within the ITBP and other CAPFs. How serious is this issue, and how does it impact motivation?
There is stagnation in promotion of officer cadre, in this matter I will say that there is urgent requirement of making Service Rules instead of Recruitment Rules as per OGAS.
Many CAPF personnel are opting for voluntary retirement. What are the main reasons behind this trend? Is it just stagnation, or are there other factors too?
In CAPF, some personnel are going on voluntary retirement on domestic account. It is wrong to say that is due to stagnation or other reason.
Post-retirement, a large number of CAPF personnel end up working as private security guards. Do you think the government should have a more structured resettlement plan or employment program for retiring personnel?
I do not know this fact. Government should have Ardh Sanik Board in each State so that those willing personnel should also be given opportunity after retirement to serve in private sectors or in other organisation.
Would you say the current system fully values the sacrifices and expertise of CAPF personnel after retirement? What improvements would you like to see?
As a retired ITBP officer, I would say that while there is a growing recognition of the sacrifices and dedication of CAPF personnel, the current system still falls short of fully valuing our expertise and contributions post-retirement. We serve under some of the harshest conditions—guarding high-altitude borders, performing internal security duties, and responding to national emergencies. However, once we hang up the uniform, the structured support and utilization of our skills tend to diminish drastically.
If you had the chance to speak directly to policymakers, what would be your top three demands to ensure CAPF personnel receive their due—both during service and after retirement?
OPS for CAPF, Ardh Sanik Board in all States and Districts, One rank One Pension (OROP) in CAPFs
Sir
It is interesting that most of us are just trying to point out errors in the system and Govt bodies. It mandatory to look upon us and try to rectify errors within us. Here I want to mention that commenting on your post may be wrong at my part but it is limited to my wisdom, I’m expressing my opinion.
People comes from different backgrounds and limitations at family front and I don’t agree with your authoritative statement that people don’t go on voluntary retirement for problems at family front.
Another reason for the voluntary retirement I could realised is incompetent officers or bosses.
I would like to express few lines for Para-military forces.
1. There is accurate need of reorganisation of our system
2. Recruitment process of the group A officers has to revisit.
3. Must involve regimentation irony
4. One chief COMMANDER of all CAPF besides respective CAPF commander.
5. Amalgamation of all CAPF into one body having different requirements.
6. CAPF must have own officers as chief commanders.
There are so many things to pen down but in subsequent posts.