CRPF Suicides Hit 5-Year High at 59 in 2025

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has reported 59 suicides in 2025, the highest annual figure in five years. According to official sources, more than 80 per cent of those who died belonged to the constabulary.

The CRPF has a total strength of around 3.25 lakh personnel and is India's largest paramilitary force. It serves as the country's lead internal security force, with about 95-97 per cent of its operational strength deployed at any given time for counter-insurgency, anti-terror operations, and law-and-order duties.

Official data shows that 262 CRPF personnel died by suicide between 2021 and 2025. Of these, 202, or more than 77 per cent, died while on duty, while the remaining cases occurred when personnel were on leave. The CRPF has introduced several measures to safeguard the physical and mental health of its personnel, including efforts to address home issues and duty stress.

The majority of suicide cases are linked to issues at home, coupled with the rigours of service and demanding duties. Non-gazetted personnel accounted for nearly 84 per cent of the total suicides, with 237 cases reported since 2021. Non-gazetted ranks comprise constables and head constables, while subordinate officers include inspectors, sub-inspectors, and assistant sub-inspectors.

The methods used by personnel to take their own lives included hanging, firearms, and poison. Of the cases recorded over the period, 128 personnel died by hanging, 118 by firearm, and 12 died after consuming poison. Two cases each involved personnel jumping before a train and cutting their veins or throat.

The CRPF has been working to address the issue of suicides among its personnel. The force has introduced various measures, including counseling services and stress management programs, to support the mental health and well-being of its personnel.

The high number of suicides among CRPF personnel is a cause for concern. The force is working to identify the root causes of the problem and to implement effective solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.

The issue of suicides among security personnel is not unique to the CRPF. Other security forces, including the army and the police, have also reported cases of suicides among their personnel. The government has been working to address the issue, including through the introduction of measures to support the mental health and well-being of security personnel.

In conclusion, the CRPF has reported a high number of suicides among its personnel in 2025. The force is working to address the issue, including through the introduction of measures to support the mental health and well-being of its personnel. The government must also take steps to address the root causes of the problem and to prevent such incidents in the future.

The high number of suicides among CRPF personnel has significant implications for the country's internal security. The CRPF plays a critical role in maintaining law and order and combating terrorism. The loss of personnel to suicide can have a significant impact on the force's operational effectiveness and its ability to carry out its duties.

Overall, the issue of suicides among CRPF personnel is a complex one that requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to address. The force and the government must work together to identify the root causes of the problem and to implement effective solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.