Centre announces honorary rank promotion for retiring CAPF, Assam Rifles personnel; check highlights, eligibility & more

In a decision aimed at enhancing the dignity and morale of retiring security personnel, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday approved the conferring of honorary ranks—one level higher—on retiring personnel below officer rank in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR).

Effective immediately, this initiative will see retiring personnel from the ranks of Constable to Sub-Inspector being awarded an honorary promotion on their final day of service. However, the move carries no additional financial or pensionary benefits.

Key highlights of the scheme:

• Eligibility: Personnel must meet all promotion criteria, maintain a clean service record, and have a minimum of 'Good' rating in their last five years of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs). Integrity must be beyond doubt, and clearance from departmental inquiry and vigilance is mandatory.
  
  
• Approval process: The honorary rank will be recommended by the personnel’s commanding officer and conferred on their retirement day.
  
  
• Scope: This initiative is applicable only where the honorary rank exists within the personnel’s service category and will not affect inter-se seniority.

Honorary rank mapping:

CAPFs Retired Rank	Honorary Rank	Assam Rifles Retired Rank	Honorary Rank
Constable	Head Constable	Rifleman	Havildar
Head Constable	Assistant Sub-Inspector	Havildar	Warrant Officer
Assistant Sub-Inspector	Sub-Inspector	Warrant Officer	Naib Subedar
Sub-Inspector	Inspector	Naib Subedar	Subedar