The CRPF recorded 59 suicide cases in 2025, the highest in the last five years, official sources said on Thursday. More than 80 per cent of those who ended their lives over this period were from the constabulary and other non-gazetted ranks.
Data for 2021-25 showed that in more than 77 per cent of the cases, the deaths took place while the personnel were on duty. Of the 262 cases recorded during this period, 202 happened when personnel were on duty and the rest took place while they were on leave, the sources said.
While there was no official response from the force, CRPF officials told PTI that several steps had been initiated to ensure the physical and mental well-being of troops, and that the process was ongoing. Officials said it had largely been found that most suicide cases were linked to issues at home, along with the rigours of service and hard duties.
The CRPF, with a strength of about 3.25 lakh personnel, is the country’s lead internal security force. Officials said that at any given time, about 95-97 per cent of its operational strength remains on duty tackling terrorists and insurgents or performing law and order duties.
The year-wise figures shared by the sources showed 59 cases in 2025, 46 in 2024, 57 in 2023, 43 in 2022 and 57 in 2021. In the five-year breakup by method, 128 personnel died by hanging, 118 shot themselves, 12 consumed poison, and in two cases each, personnel jumped before a train or cut their veins or throat.
The sources said that of the total 281 personnel who died by suicide in the last five years, including 19 till July 2026, 237 were from non-gazetted ranks, 43 were subordinate officers and one was a gazetted officer. They said the data showed that non-gazetted officials made up about 84 per cent of those who ended their lives during this period.
Non-gazetted officials hold the ranks of constable and head constable, while subordinate officers include Inspector, Sub Inspector and Assistant Sub Inspector. Gazetted officers are those of Assistant Commandant rank and above.
– Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Aug 7, 2026 00:22 IST
