Feedback From Field Officers Prompts CRPF To Change Combat Uniform; Ministry of Home Affairs Approves

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been instructed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to obtain new combat uniforms approved by the competent authority. These uniforms aim to provide greater “comfort and sustainability” for the CRPF personnel.

According to a senior CRPF officer who spoke to The Indian Express, the decision to change the combat uniform was made after field officers stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, and the North East region reported issues with their current uniforms.

The matter was brought to the attention of an official in the MHA, leading to the formation of a committee consisting of various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). As a result, the CRPF decided to change their uniform, and other forces have been instructed to plan for a similar change.

After consulting with experts from the Northern India Textile Research Association, the CRPF decided to replace their combat uniform after nearly a decade.

The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) will not be changing their uniforms as they already have a digital print.

However, all other units have been directed to procure new cloth made of disruptive polyester and cotton with a digital print design. This new fabric will consist of 80 per cent cotton and 20 per cent polyester.

In 2020, the Army requested the Ministries of Defence and Home to issue guidelines preventing state police forces and CAPFs from wearing disruptive-pattern uniforms, also known as combat uniforms, while performing law and order duties.

After violent clashes in Northeast Delhi's Jafrabad on 23 February 2020, photos surfaced on social media showing security personnel wearing combat-pattern uniforms that closely resembled those of the Indian Army.

These images quickly went viral, leading to rumours that the Army had been deployed in the area.