The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced a new rule that makes Central deputation compulsory for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers who aim to be promoted to the rank of Inspector General (IG) or equivalent at the Centre. According to the new guideline, officers must serve at least two years on Central deputation at the level of Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), or equivalent before they can be considered for IG-level empanelment.
The decision has been communicated through an official order issued on January 28 and applies to IPS officers of the 2011 batch and those who joined service after that year. The government believes this step will ensure officers gain practical experience working at the national level before taking up senior leadership positions.
The MHA order states that officers aspiring for senior positions at the Centre must first understand how federal policing and security operations function. Central deputation usually involves working with organisations such as Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), intelligence agencies, or other Central government security departments.
Officials said that this move is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening leadership in national security and policing roles. Many officers previously reached senior posts without significant experience at the Central level, which sometimes created gaps in coordination and operational understanding.
The government believes that officers who have worked in Central organisations are better prepared to handle complex national security challenges. Such experience also improves coordination between state and Central agencies.
The new guideline ensures that officers not only work within their state cadres but also gain exposure to national security responsibilities and federal administrative systems.
Officials say the rule has been introduced to address concerns that some officers lacked sufficient Central-level exposure before reaching senior positions. Policing challenges at the national level are often different from those faced at the state level, and officers need experience in both environments.
At the Central level, officers deal with issues such as border security, counter-terror operations, intelligence coordination, disaster response, and inter-state security operations. Handling such matters requires understanding Central government procedures, coordination among agencies, and working in diverse operational conditions.
An official familiar with the decision explained that the rule ensures officers gain practical field and administrative experience before moving into leadership roles. It is believed this will create a stronger pool of senior officers capable of handling national responsibilities.
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The new policy also brings IPS service rules closer to those already followed in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). IAS officers have long been required to gain Central experience before taking up senior posts, but similar requirements were not consistently applied to IPS officers earlier.
By introducing this rule, the government aims to standardise leadership preparation across elite civil services and improve administrative efficiency.
Officials also noted that Central deputation helps officers understand the functioning of national institutions, security policies, and decision-making processes, which later helps them work better in both state and Central assignments.
The MHA has circulated the order widely to ensure that all states and Union Territories are aware of the new requirement. Letters have been sent to Chief Secretaries of states, Directors General of Police, and other relevant departments to inform IPS officers about the change.
The order has also been shared with the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Union Territory divisions, and other concerned authorities. Additionally, the guideline will be uploaded on the official IPS portal so officers can access it easily.
States will now need to plan deputations more carefully so that officers eligible for future promotions get opportunities to serve at the Centre in time. This may lead to an increase in officers opting for Central assignments in coming years.
Some officers may initially find the rule challenging because Central postings often involve relocation away from home states and demanding work conditions. However, officials argue that such postings also provide valuable career exposure and professional growth.
Experts believe that the rule may also improve cooperation between state police forces and Central agencies because officers with experience in both systems can bridge communication gaps.
The change is expected to impact career planning for many IPS officers, especially those from batches after 2011 who are approaching promotion stages. Officers will now need to ensure they complete the required Central service period before becoming eligible for IG-level empanelment.
The government hopes this reform will lead to better-trained senior officers who can handle national security responsibilities more effectively. By making Central experience mandatory, authorities aim to create leadership that understands both grassroots policing challenges and national-level operations.
Officials say the reform is part of ongoing efforts to modernise policing and administrative systems across the country. In the long run, they expect this change to strengthen India’s internal security structure and improve coordination between various agencies.
With this step, the government has signaled its intent to prioritise professional experience and preparedness in selecting officers for top leadership positions at the Centre.
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