1 week ago
CRPF Revives Buddy System Amid Rising Personnel Suicides and Stress
The CRPF is bringing back a system in which two personnel live and work together.
They are expected to watch out for each other when someone feels physically or emotionally stressed.
The system had been stopped in 2018.
The force recorded 59 suicides in 2025, the highest number reported in five years.
More than 80 percent of those who died were lower-ranking constables.
The CRPF says problems can include stress, family separation, money troubles and denied leave.
Mental illness, alcohol addiction and mistreatment were also identified as possible factors.
The force has created a group to study the problem and improve support.
A welfare association says better housing and family conditions are also urgently needed.
The CRPF plans to reintroduce its buddy system, pairing personnel to support one another during physical and emotional stress.
The system was discontinued in 2018 after previously being used by the force.
The CRPF reported 59 suicides in 2025, its highest annual figure in five years, with most involving constables.
An internal report cited stress, family separation, domestic discord, financial problems, denied leave, mental illness and alcohol addiction as risk factors.
A high-level CRPF group will study recurring causes, while a welfare association called for better living conditions and a government white paper.
- Who
- The Central Reserve Police Force and its personnel; Ranbir Singh of the Alliance of All Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association also commented.
- What
- The CRPF is reintroducing its buddy system and forming a group to address rising suicides among personnel.
- Where
- The measure will apply to CRPF personnel deployed and billeted together; the reports also refer to Army use in Siachen and Ladakh.
- When
- The system was discontinued in 2018; the CRPF reported 59 suicides in 2025 and 19 more through May 30 of the following year.
- Why
- The CRPF says the measure is intended to help personnel cope with physical and emotional stress amid rising suicides.
CRPF Measures
Welfare Association Concerns
Main response to suicides
CRPF Measures
The CRPF says reintroducing the buddy system, along with other measures, will help personnel share problems and receive support.
Welfare Association Concerns
The Alliance of All Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association says personnel need better living conditions and improved accommodation for their families.
Understanding the causes
CRPF Measures
The CRPF has formed a high-level group to identify recurring risk factors and recommend stronger support systems.
Welfare Association Concerns
Ranbir Singh has demanded that the Centre publish a white paper explaining the increase in suicides and the preventive measures being taken.
Key facts
- Force size
- The CRPF has nearly 300,000 personnel.
- Reported suicides in 2025
- 59, the highest annual figure reported in five years.
- Five-and-a-half-year total
- 281 CRPF personnel died by suicide, according to the report.
- Lower-rank share
- More than 80 percent of the reported suicides involved constabulary personnel.
- On-duty share
- More than 77 percent occurred while personnel were on duty.
- Buddy system
- Paired personnel will stay and deploy together to share problems and provide mutual support.
- Other measures
- The CRPF has held yoga and counselling sessions and formed a high-level core group.
Quotes
Senior CRPF official
A senior official of the Central Reserve Police Force explaining the revived suicide-prevention measure
“We are taking several measures to curb the rising suicides, and the reintroduction of the buddy system is one of them, "Under the buddy system, a jawan will stay with a fellow trooper and both will be deployed together so they can share their problems with each other."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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