Representative file image. | Photo credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced a two-year central deputation for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) to be eligible for posting as Inspector General of Police (IGP) with the Union Government. The regulation applies to IPS officers from 2011 batch onwards.
In a letter dated January 28 to the chief secretaries of all states, the MHA outlined “modification of guidelines for recruitment of IPS officers to hold the post of IG at the Centre”. The letter stated that a minimum of two years central experience at SP/DIG or equivalent level will be mandatory for posting of IPS officers at IG/equivalent level at the Center from the batch from 2011. The ministry has asked states to inform all IPS officers in their cadre about the clause.
The revision in the guidelines comes days after Union Home Minister Govind Mohan wrote to states urging them to send more IPS officers on central deputation, noting that while state governments send names for top ranks, they do not propose names for appointment to SP posts to the IGP.
In 2021, facing an acute shortage of All India Services (AIS) officers at the Centre, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) proposed to post Indian Administrative Service (IAS), IPS and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officers at the Centre, without necessarily agreeing with the state government. The DoPT said that despite the existing provisions, states have not sponsored sufficient number of officers for the central delegation and the available officers are not enough to meet the demands of the Union. After opposition from the states, the proposal was not implemented.
Before an AIS officer is called on central deputation, his approval and permission from the state government is required. As of December 23, 104 of the 229 sanctioned posts at the SP level are vacant. At the DIG level, out of 256 sanctioned posts, 69 were vacant.
Published – 30 Jan 2026 22:20 IST
