The Director General-Inspector General of Police (DG-IGP), Karnataka, has issued fresh orders implementing the state government’s decision to review the existing law and order system in the police department and introduce an alternative arrangement instead of deploying police personnel as orderlies.
The order issued in pursuance of a series of government communications culminating in the Cabinet Order dated 12 January 2026 provides for the creation of 373 posts of Followers (Operators) in the Civil Police, subject to the abolition of the same number of posts in the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP).
Under the revised policy, police personnel will no longer be assigned as orderlies to senior officers. Instead, followers will be employed – primarily through outsourcing – at wages set in accordance with minimum wage standards and under the conditions set out in the Government Order of 8 March 2017.
Revised structure
Under the new arrangement, Director Generals of Police (DGPs) and Additional Director Generals of Police (ADGPs) will be allowed three followers, Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) two followers, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Inspector General of Police (SP) and Commandants one follower each. In case of DG&IGP, the six posts of followers will continue as per the 2017 order with the condition of ‘no dual benefit’.
The government has also revised the monthly regular allowances paid to senior officers who hire external staff. The updated rates range from ₹ 13,930 to ₹ 19,900 per consultant, depending on the rank, with respective aggregate monthly ceilings set.
The payment of follower allowance will be processed only after confirmation that the police officers who are currently deployed as orderlies have been relieved of these duties. Unit leaders were instructed to submit compliance reports.
Given that the civilian police units currently have no henchmen positions filled and the recruitment rules have yet to be finalized, temporary measures have been taken by reallocating henchmen from the KSRP units.
The directive reiterates that the long-standing practice of assigning regular police personnel as constables has ended with immediate effect. The reform is part of a wider administrative restructuring within the state police, which aims to optimize the deployment of manpower and ensure that trained police personnel are used for core police functions rather than personal staff duties.
Published – 06 Mar 2026 01:01 IST
