- Raised as Crown Representative's Police on 27 July 1939; became CRPF by the CRPF Act, 1949 on 28 December 1949.
- Largest Central Armed Police Force; headed by a Director General under MHA.
- Role: internal security, anti-insurgency, anti-Naxal operations, election and VIP duty.
- Section 9 deals with more heinous offences: mutiny, desertion, cowardice — punishment may extend to imprisonment for life.
- Section 10 deals with less heinous offences such as disobedience, drunkenness on duty, neglect of duty.
- Section 11 empowers the Commandant to award departmental punishments without a court trial.
- Section 16 provides for arrest without warrant of a member accused of an offence under the Act.
- Enrolment, oath of allegiance and certificate of enrolment are prescribed under the Act and Rules.
- No member may resign or be absent without leave; absence beyond limits is desertion.
- CRPF Rules, 1955 supplement the Act on enquiry, punishment and appeal.
Study notes for exam practice. Always confirm the exact provision from the bare Act or your unit's official circular.