Fri Jan 30 16:50:43 UTC 2026: Headline: Central Government Mandates Deputation for Senior IPS Officers, Addressing Personnel Shortages

The Story:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a directive making a two-year Central deputation compulsory for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers at the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) ranks. This mandate, effective for the 2011 batch onwards, is a prerequisite for empanelment as Inspector General of Police (IGP) with the Union Government. The move aims to address a persistent shortage of All India Services (AIS) officers, particularly at the SP and DIG levels, within the Central government.

The order, communicated via a letter dated January 28, 2026, to all State Chief Secretaries, specifies that the minimum two-year Central experience at the SP/DIG level is necessary for IPS officers to be considered for IG or equivalent positions at the Centre. This modification follows previous unsuccessful attempts by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in 2021 to increase Central deputation, which faced opposition from the States.

Key Points:
* The MHA mandates two-year Central deputation for IPS officers (2011 batch onwards) at SP/DIG level to be eligible for IGP postings at the Centre.
* The decision comes after the Home Secretary urged States to nominate more IPS officers for Central deputation, especially at the SP to IGP levels.
* A previous proposal in 2021 by the DoPT to bypass State consent for Central deputation was unsuccessful due to State opposition.
* As of December 23, significant vacancies exist at the Centre: 104 of 229 sanctioned SP-level posts and 69 of 256 DIG-level posts.
* The new guidelines were communicated to State Chief Secretaries via a letter dated January 28, 2026.

Critical Analysis:
The timing of this directive, occurring shortly after the Transport Minister’s plea for project approvals and the Central government’s nod for road upgrades in Kozhikode, could suggest a more assertive stance by the Central government in its relationship with the States. While seemingly unrelated, these events, coupled with the personnel shortage, indicate a push for greater Central control and efficiency in governance, potentially leading to further friction between the Union and the States.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Central government is actively attempting to bolster its pool of senior IPS officers through mandatory deputation.
  • The move reflects a persistent challenge in securing adequate representation of AIS officers at the Centre, despite previous attempts.
  • The States’ reluctance to release officers for Central deputation remains a significant obstacle.
  • This decision might further strain Centre-State relations if States perceive it as an overreach of authority.
  • The directive signals a potentially more assertive approach from the Central government in managing personnel and inter-governmental relations.

Impact Analysis:

  • Short-term: States will likely voice concerns about the disruption to their police forces due to mandatory deputations.
  • Mid-term: There may be resistance from IPS officers unwilling to serve at the Centre, potentially affecting morale. The effectiveness of the policy will depend on its successful implementation and how well the Centre can incentivize these postings.
  • Long-term: If successful, this could lead to a more streamlined and coordinated approach to law enforcement at the national level. However, it could also further centralize power and potentially undermine the autonomy of State police forces if not handled carefully. It will be important to monitor how the career paths of IPS officers are affected and the potential impact on state-level policing capabilities.

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