Hyderabad: The 78th batch of Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers has completed the first phase of its basic training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad. The passing-out ceremony, known as the Dikshant Parade, was held on Saturday, with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan attending as the chief guest and reviewing the parade.
A total of 151 officer trainees completed this phase of training, comprising 135 IPS probationers and 16 foreign officer trainees from Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives. The Indian contingent includes 37 women officers, reflecting the participation of women in the country’s senior police leadership.
The ceremony marked an important milestone in the professional preparation of the probationers, who underwent intensive training in policing, criminal investigation, forensic science, internal security, public order, human rights and police management. The programme also covered emerging law enforcement challenges, including cybercrime, cryptocurrency-related fraud, darknet operations, financial crimes, drug trafficking, artificial intelligence and drone-related threats.
Dikshant Parade Marks Completion of First Training Phase
The Dikshant Parade of the 78th Regular Recruit (RR) batch was held at SVPNPA on October 17, marking the successful completion of the first phase of the probationers’ basic training at the academy.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan reviewed the parade and attended the ceremony as the chief guest. The event marked the transition of the officer trainees to the next stage of their professional preparation before they take up responsibilities in police services.
The SVPNPA, India’s premier training institution for IPS officers, provides professional instruction in leadership, law enforcement, investigation, internal security and the practical aspects of policing. Its training programme is designed to prepare probationers for the operational, administrative and ethical responsibilities they will encounter during their careers.
The completion of this phase represents a significant step in the journey of the 78th batch towards becoming field-ready police officers.
151 Trainees Include 135 IPS Probationers and 16 Foreign Officers
The 78th batch’s Dikshant Parade brought together Indian police probationers and foreign officer trainees who underwent training at the academy.
The composition of the batch is as follows:
- Total officer trainees: 151
- Indian IPS probationers: 135
- Women IPS probationers: 37
- Foreign officer trainees: 16
- Countries represented by foreign trainees: Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives
The 37 women officers form part of the Indian contingent of 135 IPS probationers. The 16 foreign trainees represent police services from neighbouring countries and reflect the academy’s role in professional training and cooperation beyond India.
The participation of foreign officers also provides opportunities for professional exchange on policing methods, institutional practices and shared security challenges.
Intensive Training in Policing, Investigation and Internal Security
The probationers underwent an extensive training programme covering the core responsibilities of police leadership and law enforcement.
The curriculum included policing, criminal investigation, forensic science, criminology, internal security, public order, police management and human rights. These subjects are intended to build a strong foundation in both the legal framework governing policing and the practical requirements of maintaining law and order.
Training in criminal investigation and forensic science equips officers to approach cases systematically, collect and assess evidence, and understand scientific methods used in criminal justice. Instruction in criminology and police management helps probationers understand patterns of crime, institutional functioning and the challenges of supervising police personnel.
The programme also emphasised human rights and the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies in protecting citizens while enforcing the law.
Together, these components prepare probationers for assignments that may involve crime prevention, investigation, public order management, supervision of police stations and coordination with other law enforcement institutions.
Training on New Criminal Laws and Emerging Security Challenges
The training programme included instruction on the implementation of India’s new criminal laws, alongside emerging challenges that are changing the nature of policing.
The new criminal law framework requires police officers to understand updated legal provisions and their implications for investigation, evidence collection and criminal proceedings. Training in these areas is intended to familiarise probationers with the legal responsibilities they will exercise in the field.
The academy also addressed technology-driven forms of crime and security threats, including:
- Cybercrime and cryptocurrency-related fraud.
- Darknet operations and digital criminal networks.
- Financial crimes and evolving methods of economic fraud.
- Drug trafficking and associated law enforcement challenges.
- Artificial intelligence and its implications for policing.
- Drone-related threats and emerging security risks.
These subjects reflect the increasing importance of technological awareness in modern policing. Criminal networks can operate across jurisdictions and exploit digital platforms, financial systems and emerging technologies, requiring police officers to develop specialised knowledge alongside conventional investigative skills.
By incorporating these issues into the training programme, the academy aims to prepare probationers for a policing environment in which technology, digital evidence and complex security threats play an increasingly significant role.
Practical Exposure Through Attachments with Specialised Forces
In addition to classroom instruction, the officer trainees received practical exposure through attachments with specialised police and security organisations.
These included Telangana’s Greyhounds, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Border Security Force (BSF).
The attachments provided opportunities to observe the functioning of specialised units and understand the operational requirements of different security environments.
The Greyhounds are a specialised anti-extremist force in Telangana, while the ITBP and BSF perform important roles in border security and related operational responsibilities. Exposure to these organisations helps probationers understand specialised deployment requirements, coordination and the challenges faced by personnel operating in demanding conditions.
Such attachments complement academy-based instruction by connecting theoretical knowledge with operational practices and field experience.
Field Exercises in Crowd Management, Elections and Public Events
The probationers also participated in field exercises involving crowd management, election duties and security arrangements during major public events.
These exercises are important components of police training because such assignments require planning, coordination, situational awareness and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
Crowd management requires officers to maintain public order while ensuring the safety of participants and bystanders. Election duties involve enforcing applicable rules, preventing disturbances and coordinating security arrangements to support the conduct of elections.
Security arrangements for major public events similarly require advance planning, risk assessment and coordination among police units and other agencies.
Practical exercises in these areas help probationers develop the skills needed to manage public gatherings, respond to operational challenges and supervise personnel during sensitive assignments.
From LBSNAA to SVPNPA: The IPS Training Journey
The completion of the first phase at SVPNPA follows an earlier stage of training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie.
The probationers underwent a 15-week Foundation Course at LBSNAA before proceeding to the police academy in Hyderabad for specialised IPS training.
While the Foundation Course provides a common grounding in public administration and governance for civil service officer trainees, SVPNPA focuses on the professional requirements of police service.
At SVPNPA, probationers receive instruction in law, investigation, policing procedures, leadership, internal security and field operations. The programme combines academic learning with physical training, practical exercises and exposure to police organisations.
The Dikshant Parade on October 17 marked the completion of the first phase of basic training at the academy.
Probationers to Proceed to Delhi for Attachments with Central Police Organisations
Following the ceremony, the probationers are scheduled to proceed to Delhi for attachments with central police organisations and armed police forces.
These attachments form part of their continuing professional preparation, exposing them to the functioning and responsibilities of institutions involved in national security, law enforcement and specialised policing.
The experience is expected to broaden their understanding of the country’s policing and security architecture before they progress to subsequent stages of their training.
The transition from academy-based instruction to attachments with central organisations provides an opportunity to understand how state police forces, central police organisations and armed police forces coordinate in addressing different law enforcement and security requirements.
Preparing the Next Generation of Police Leadership
The completion of the first phase of training by the 78th IPS batch marks an important milestone in the preparation of a new group of police officers.
The 135 Indian probationers, including 37 women, have completed an intensive programme covering traditional policing responsibilities as well as emerging challenges associated with technology, financial crime and national security. The participation of 16 foreign officer trainees from Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives also highlights the academy’s contribution to professional training and cooperation among police services.
With the next stage involving attachments with central police organisations and armed police forces, the probationers will continue to build their understanding of operational policing and institutional coordination.
Their training is intended to equip them with the professional knowledge, practical skills and leadership capabilities required to handle the responsibilities of the Indian Police Service in an increasingly complex law enforcement environment.
Read also: From AI to Cybercrime: SVPNPA Modernises IPS Training to Address Emerging Policing Challenges
