Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that candidates appearing for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) exams can now choose any language listed in the Eighth Schedule, including Tamil. The Eighth Schedule to the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 official languages of India.
Shah made this statement during the 56th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Arakkonam, Ranipet. As the chief guest, he inaugurated several infrastructure projects, released the CISF journal Sentinel, and reviewed the parade.
“Until now, the mother tongue had no place in CAPF recruitment. PM Modi has decided that youth can now take the CAPF exams in all languages in the Eighth Schedule, including Tamil. I urge the Tamil Nadu CM to introduce medical and engineering curricula in Tamil soon”, Shah said. He added that this will not only strengthen the mother tongue but also provide equal opportunities for Tamil-speaking youth.
Shah highlighted CISF’s crucial role in the country’s development, from industrial growth to tourism and research centers,underscoring that without CISF, the security of these sectors would be unimaginable. He also reiterated PM Modi’s vision to make India the third-largest economy by 2027 and a developed nation by 2047, with CISF playing an important role in these goals.
Shah paid tribute to 127 fallen CISF jawans and announced awards for 22 CISF personnel, including 10 President’s Police Medals and 10 Gallantry Medals. He also inaugurated six welfare projects for CISF personnel, totaling 88 crores.
The home minister praised Tamil Nadu’s contribution to Indian culture and emphasized the CISF’s vital work, ensuring the safe movement of over 1 crore people daily. Since CISF took over airport security, there have been no lapses, and it now provides security at over 250 ports and the new Parliament.
Shah also noted that over 1 lakh youth have been recruited through CAPF in the past year, with more than 14,000 posts filled in 2024, and recruitment ongoing for 50,000 more positions.
