The only constant is change – sounds cliched, but rings true. Government Service continues be one of the most sought-after careers today, for both men and women, in India. The number of women gaining employment in the Services is on the rise. Once a male-dominated field, the IPS has witnessed a transformative surge in gender inclusivity, driven by policy reforms and trailblazing women who shattered stereotypes.
The journey began with Dr. Kiran Bedi, who, in 1972, became India’s first woman IPS officer. Her tenure was marked by groundbreaking initiatives, such as introducing reforms in Tihar Jail, which earned her the moniker “Crane Bedi” after she towed an illegally parked car belonging to a high-ranking official.
Bedi’s legacy paved the way for others, though progress was slow. In the 1970s, batches often had just 1–2 women officers. By 2020, however, women comprised nearly 20–25% of some IPS batches, a testament to shifting societal norms and institutional support. The consequential fallout is that there has been rethinking on working conditions which have improved over the years. While being an IPS officer is demanding for all, it is more so for women, especially for the married and mothers.
CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT
Maternity leave is now 6 months, as against 3 months in the ‘80’s, along with two weeks paternity leave for the fathers, which provision did not exist earlier. Leave for an abortion or miscarriage has been increased to forty-five days and can be taken at any time during the career.
Child Care leave is a new provision which did not exist earlier. A mother can take up to two years leave to care of a child, which includes sickness, examinations or any other requirement or emergency. In 2020, the Supreme Court’s directive to ensure permanent commission for women in command roles further bolstered these policies, emphasizing gender parity.
BETTER CONDITIONS
Training conditions are now much better in the Police Academies, particularly in the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNAA). There are women trainers in the faculty as well as in the outdoor field, raising the comfort levels of women trainees. Training equipment such as lightweight bulletproof vests and uniform items are now being provided according to the specifications for women.
Facilities have been improved at all levels, including at many police stations, with provisions for toilets, menstrual periods, changing rooms and rest halls. Police stations nationwide now feature “Pink Booths” staffed by women officers to address domestic violence and harassment. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu lead in infrastructure, with menstrual product dispensers and crèches.
THE TRAILBLAZERS
Women have broken the glass ceiling and are appointed to senior most posts. Aruna Bahuguna was the first woman Special Director General of Police in the CRPF, a CAPF, also the first woman Director of the SVP National Police Academy. Archana Ramasundaram as DGP of SSB, Nina Singh as DGP of CISF. Several states have had women DGPs like Kanchan Bhattacharya (Uttarakhand), Letika Saran ( Tamil Nadu), Ida Nongran (Meghalaya), Neelmani (Karnataka) and Rashmi Shukla (Maharashtra).
These are the trail blazers, the pioneers who have paved the way for future women leaders of the IPS. India’s progress aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality). While women constitute 11.7% of India’s police force (NCRB 2022), up from 7% in 2014, the aim is to reach 33%. Women’s presence isn’t just about numbers—it’s about redefining leadership with empathy and innovation.”
As policies evolve and infrastructure adapts, these pioneers inspire future generations to serve with courage and compassion, ensuring that India’s police force mirrors the diversity of the nation it protects. Every woman in uniform isn’t just doing a job—she’s rewriting history. May they grow from strength to strength!
(By Aruna Bahuguna IPS (retired). First Lady IPS officer of erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh)
