NHRC seeks response from Amit Shah on CRPF suicides
Are CRPF personnel facing mental stress or a decline in morale?
Such a large number of self-harm or suicides among soldiers was neither heard of nor seen before. Are the soldiers losing morale, or are they under some mental pressure? What is the reason that in 2025, 59 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) committed suicide, and surprisingly, by 30th May this year, 19 cases of suicide have already been reported. These figures are quite concerning regarding the decline in the morale of the soldiers.
Last week, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also took cognizance of this matter and sought a report from the Union Home Ministry and the Director General of CRPF.
Indian Express reported that concerned about the rising cases of suicide in the CRPF, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has formed a high-level core group to review such cases every month and strengthen preventive measures at the institutional level. This decision was taken after a meeting held at the CRPF headquarters earlier this month. In the meeting, senior officials discussed the need to systematically review suicide cases, identify recurring risk factors, and improve support systems for the soldiers.
The number of deaths by suicide among CRPF personnel reached the highest level in the last five years in 2025. According to official figures,
last year, 59 CRPF personnel died by suicide. According to the figures, 57 in 2021, 43 in 2022, 57 in 2023, 46 in 2024, and 59 in 2025 CRPF personnel committed suicide. By 30th May this year, 19 such cases have been reported. The data from 2021 to May 2026 also indicates that many of these incidents occurred while the soldiers were on duty.
According to an official, this core group will be chaired by the Director General of CRPF, G.P. Singh. The official stated,
This group will meet every month, possibly in the third week, and review cases of suicide or self-harm that have emerged in the previous period. Each case will be examined for the causes and circumstances of the incident, the availability and use of welfare or psychological support, the preventive steps taken by the concerned unit, and systemic issues that need improvement.
The official stated that in each case, the concerned office head or battalion commandant will have to give a systematic presentation of four to five slides via video conference to the core group. This will include the background of the concerned soldier, circumstances before the incident, steps taken by the unit, welfare and medical assistance provided, findings of preliminary inquiry or investigation, and special measures taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
The supervisory and operational officers of the concerned unit will also participate in the review via video conference. These will include the concerned DIG, IG, and the ADG or SDG holding operational control. According to the official,
the core group has been tasked with conducting an impartial review of each case and suggesting preventive, welfare, administrative, and medical measures as needed. This group will also identify common trends and recurring risk factors in the reviewed cases and suggest institutional reforms at the level of the entire force.
According to the plan, the objective of this monthly review is to ensure continuous monitoring, timely intervention, accountability, and strengthen preventive measures to reduce incidents of suicide and self-harm among CRPF personnel.
CRPF officials have previously stated that the paramilitary force has taken several steps to ensure the good physical and mental health of its soldiers, and this process is ongoing.
According to officials,
it has been found so far that most cases of suicide are related to problems concerning home and family. Along with this, the difficult conditions of service and challenging duties also increase the pressure on the soldiers.
It is noteworthy that CRPF is the country's premier internal security force. Officials say that at any given time, approximately 95 to 97 percent of CRPF's operational force is deployed on duty. These soldiers are responsible for dealing with terrorists and insurgents as well as maintaining law and order.