New Delhi: In a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening leadership at the Centre, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has made it mandatory for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to complete at least two years of Central deputation at the SP/DIG or equivalent level to be eligible for empanelment as Inspector General (IG) or equivalent posts with the Union Government.
The revised rule will apply to IPS officers of the 2011 batch onwards, according to an official communication issued by the Ministry.
MHA Communicates Revised Guidelines to States
In a letter dated January 28, addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, the MHA informed them of a “modification in the guidelines for empanelment of IPS officers for holding IG-level posts at the Centre.”
The letter clearly states that a minimum of two years of Central experience at the SP/DIG or equivalent rank will now be compulsory for officers to be considered for empanelment at the IG or equivalent level in Central organisations.
The Ministry has asked all State governments to bring this requirement to the notice of IPS officers serving in their respective cadres to avoid future eligibility issues.
Context: Push for Greater Central Deputation
The revised guidelines come close on the heels of a recent letter from Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, who urged States to send more IPS officers on Central deputation, especially at the middle and senior levels.
In his communication, the Home Secretary pointed out that while States often recommend officers for the senior-most ranks, they fail to propose adequate names for postings from SP to IGP levels, resulting in operational gaps in Central Police Organisations (CPOs).
Acute Vacancy Crisis at the Centre
The MHA’s move also reflects concerns over persistent vacancies in Central postings. As per official data:
- Out of 229 sanctioned SP-level posts, 104 remain vacant
- At the DIG level, 69 out of 256 sanctioned posts are vacant
These shortages have been impacting the functioning of several Central Armed Police Forces and investigative agencies.
Background: Earlier DoPT Proposal and State Opposition
In 2021, amid an acute shortage of All India Services (AIS) officers at the Centre, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) proposed a contentious plan to depute IAS, IPS, and IFoS officers to the Centre without mandatory State consent.
The DoPT argued that despite existing provisions, States were not sponsoring adequate numbers of officers, leading to serious manpower constraints at the Union level. However, the proposal met with strong opposition from State governments, and the plan was eventually shelved.
At present, Central deputation requires both the officer’s consent and clearance from the State government.
Implications of the New Rule
The mandatory Central deputation clause is expected to:
- Encourage States to release IPS officers for Central postings at earlier stages
- Ensure experienced leadership at senior levels in Central forces
- Create a uniform eligibility benchmark for IG-level empanelment
- Reduce long-term vacancies in Central Police Organisations
However, it may also pose challenges for States already facing shortages of senior police officers.
