Central Armed Police Forces — Definition

Definition

Central Armed Police Forces are Union-level forces with distinct responsibilities such as border guarding, assistance to civil authorities and protection of important installations. The term does not mean that every force has the same mission or that CAPFs are interchangeable with the Army.

An MHA annual-report classification identifies BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB as five CAPFs, while separately describing Assam Rifles and the specialised NSG. Examination preparation should preserve the source's classification and then learn each institution's principal role.

Administrative grouping on a website is not sufficient evidence that all listed bodies share identical status or responsibilities.