New Delhi: A worrying trend has emerged from the latest data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), revealing that young IPS officers are increasingly reluctant to take up postings in central intelligence and investigative agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). As a result, hundreds of sanctioned posts at various senior levels remain vacant, raising serious concerns about national security, intelligence gathering, and investigative capacity.
IB and CBI No Longer Preferred Choices for Young IPS Officers
According to the latest MHA report, the country’s premier intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), is facing a severe shortage of IPS officers at the level of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
In the IB, 83 posts are sanctioned for SPs (IPS), but 47 posts are vacant, indicating a vacancy rate of over 56 percent.
At the DIG level, the IB has 63 sanctioned posts, but a staggering 38 posts remain vacant, again crossing the 50 percent vacancy mark.
The situation in the CBI is equally grim.
The CBI has 78 sanctioned posts for SPs (IPS), out of which 42 are vacant, reflecting a vacancy rate of more than 53 percent.
At the DIG (IPS) level, 5 out of 34 sanctioned posts remain unfilled.
These figures clearly indicate that IB and CBI are no longer the first choice for many IPS officers, particularly those at the younger and mid-career stages.
Vacancies Across Other Central Agencies
The problem is not limited to IB and CBI. Several other key institutions are also facing shortages:
National Investigation Agency (NIA):
- 8 out of 39 SP (IPS) posts vacant
- 4 out of 15 DIG posts vacant
National Police Academy (NPA):
- 14 sanctioned SP posts, 6 vacant
Border Security Force (BSF):
- 8 out of 26 DIG posts vacant
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):
- 9 out of 31 DIG posts vacant
This widespread shortage has left critical operational and leadership roles unfilled, affecting efficiency across central security and investigative institutions.
Central Deputation Quota Increased, Vacancies Persist
- Despite these shortages, the quota for IPS officers on central deputation has been increased.
- Last year, approximately 678 IPS posts were sanctioned at the central level.
- This number has now crossed 700.
Surprisingly, even after this expansion, 212 sanctioned IPS posts remain vacant, underscoring the deep-rooted reluctance among officers to opt for central deputation.
Long-Standing Vacancy Crisis: Data Over the Years
The crisis is not new and has persisted for years.
February 2025 Status
- 149 IG (IPS) posts on central deputation – 27 vacant
- 256 sanctioned IG posts – 68 vacant
- 221 SP (IPS) posts – 126 vacant
- CBI: 73 SP posts sanctioned, 54 vacant
- IB: 83 SP posts sanctioned, 55 vacant
- IB DIGs: 63 sanctioned, 30 vacant
March 1, 2024 Status
- 30 out of 149 IG posts vacant
- 70 out of 256 DIG posts vacant
- 132 out of 228 SP (IPS) posts vacant
March 2023 Data
- 255 DIG (IPS) posts sanctioned, 77 vacant
- Earlier, vacancies ranged between 120 and 186 posts
December 2021
- 252 DIG posts sanctioned, 118 vacant
- 203 SP posts sanctioned, 104 vacant
July 2020
- 254 DIG posts sanctioned, 164 vacant
- 199 SP posts sanctioned, 97 vacant
- CBI: 20 out of 35 DIG posts vacant
- CISF: 16 out of 20 DIG posts vacant
- IB: 28 out of 63 DIG posts vacant, 49 out of 83 SP posts vacant
These numbers show that over 50 percent of key posts have remained vacant consistently over the years.
Why IPS Officers Avoid Central Postings: Former BSF ADG Explains
Former BSF Additional Director General S.K. Sood explains the mindset behind this growing disillusionment. According to him, IPS officers increasingly avoid demanding and field-intensive jobs.
“IPS officers get the opportunity to command districts as SPs in their respective states. They don’t want to leave that authority,” Sood said.
When officers are promoted to the DIG rank, many seek comfortable or headquarters postings. However, DIG positions in central armed police forces (CAPFs) and other organizations are considered field postings, often involving deployment in remote or border areas.
“As DIGs in paramilitary forces, officers are mostly posted in difficult terrain. Only a few manage headquarters postings,” he added.
CAPF Cadre Officers Await Promotion
Sood pointed out that posts like IG, ADG, and SDG are mostly headquarters-based, which is why IPS officers readily accept them. However, CAPF cadre officers, who are directly recruited into these forces, do not receive permanent promotions to these senior vacant posts.
Over the past few years, a trend has emerged where DIG-level vacancies meant for IPS officers are temporarily diverted to CAPF cadre officers. These postings are often temporary, offering preferred locations but no permanent career progression.
“If cadre officers are not promoted permanently, why would IPS officers feel incentivized to come to the Centre?” Sood asked. This, he said, is one of the main reasons SP-level posts in IB and CBI continue to remain vacant.
Diminishing Role of DIGs in State Police
Another factor contributing to the reluctance is the reduced role of DIGs in state police forces. In several states, IPS officers are even being appointed to IAS-designated positions, further diluting the operational importance of DIG roles in policing.
Former IPS Officers Appeal for Central Deputation
Four to five years ago, 17 retired IPS officers jointly appealed to serving officers to opt for central deputation. They emphasized that working with central agencies provides exposure to national-level investigations and security challenges.
They argued that All India Services form the backbone connecting the Union and the states, and central deputation strengthens federal cooperation. The former officers publicly supported the Government of India’s efforts to encourage IPS officers to serve at the Centre.
Government Tightens Rules on Central Deputation
In 2022, the central government simplified deputation rules but also issued a strong warning. Under the IPS Tenure Policy, if an IPS officer is approved for central deputation but fails to join:
- They will be debarred from central deputation
- They will be barred from foreign assignments or consultancies for five years
Paragraph 17 of the policy clearly states these penalties.
Panel System for DIG Deputation Abolished
To address the acute shortage of DIG-rank officers, a Central Home Ministry committee recommended abolishing the panel system for DIG deputation, which earlier took nearly one year to complete. The government accepted the recommendation.
Additionally, the All India Services Rules were amended, empowering the central government to call IAS and IPS officers for central deputation with or without the consent of the state government.
Despite these reforms, the response from IPS officers remains lukewarm.
A Growing Challenge for National Security
The persistent vacancies across IB, CBI, NIA, and CAPFs underline a serious challenge for India’s internal security framework. As young IPS officers continue to avoid central postings, the effectiveness of intelligence gathering, investigation, and border management could face long-term consequences unless systemic issues and incentive structures are addressed.
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