MHA Report Highlights Crisis: Young IPS Officers Avoid IB and CBI Postings, Over Half of Senior Posts Vacant Across Central Agencies
A recent report by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revealed a troubling trend in India’s policing and intelligence framework. Increasingly, younger IPS officers are reluctant to accept postings in central intelligence and investigative agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This reluctance has led to widespread vacancies at senior levels, raising concerns about the country’s ability to maintain robust national security, intelligence operations, and investigative capacity.
IB and CBI Facing Acute Shortages
The MHA report underscores that the Intelligence Bureau is grappling with a severe shortfall of IPS officers at the ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
At the SP level, 83 posts are sanctioned, but 47 remain vacant, reflecting a vacancy rate of over 56 percent.
At the DIG level, 63 posts are sanctioned, yet 38 are vacant, again crossing the 50 percent mark.
The situation in the CBI mirrors this crisis:
Out of 78 sanctioned SP posts, 42 are vacant, translating to a vacancy rate of more than 53 percent.
At the DIG level, 5 out of 34 posts remain unfilled.
These figures highlight that India’s premier intelligence and investigative agencies are no longer the preferred career choice for many IPS officers, particularly those in the early and mid‑career stages.
Vacancies Across Other Central Institutions
The shortage extends beyond IB and CBI, affecting several other critical agencies:
National Investigation Agency (NIA): 8 of 39 SP posts vacant; 4 of 15 DIG posts vacant.
National Police Academy (NPA): 14 sanctioned SP posts, 6 vacant.
Border Security Force (BSF): 8 of 26 DIG posts vacant.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF): 9 of 31 DIG posts vacant.
These gaps have left essential operational and leadership roles unoccupied, undermining efficiency across India’s central security and investigative institutions.
Central Deputation Quota Expanded, But Vacancies Persist
Despite the government increasing the quota for IPS officers on central deputation—rising from 678 sanctioned posts last year to over 700 now—the reluctance continues. As of the latest data, 212 sanctioned IPS posts remain vacant, underscoring the depth of the problem.
Vacancy Crisis Over the Years
The issue is not new; data over several years shows a consistent pattern of shortages:
Feb 2025: 149 IG posts sanctioned, 27 vacant; 221 SP posts sanctioned, 126 vacant; IB SPs—83 sanctioned, 55 vacant.
March 2024: 132 of 228 SP posts vacant; 70 of 256 DIG posts vacant.
March 2023: 255 DIG posts sanctioned, 77 vacant.
Dec 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 DIGs—20 of 35 vacant; CISF DIGs—16 of 20 vacant; IB SPs—49 of 83 vacant.
This historical data confirms that over 50 percent of key posts have remained vacant consistently.
Why IPS Officers Avoid Central Postings
Former BSF Additional Director General S.K. Sood explains that IPS officers often prefer commanding districts as SPs in their states, where they enjoy greater authority. Central postings, especially at the DIG level in CAPFs, are field‑intensive and frequently involve deployment in remote or border areas, making them less attractive.
He noted that while senior posts such as IG, ADG, and SDG are headquarters‑based and therefore more appealing, cadre officers in CAPFs rarely receive permanent promotions to these roles. Instead, DIG‑level vacancies meant for IPS officers are temporarily diverted to CAPF cadre officers, offering location preference but no long‑term career progression.
Diminishing Role of DIGs in States
Another factor is the reduced significance of DIG roles in state police forces. In some states, IPS officers are even appointed to IAS‑designated positions, further diminishing the operational importance of DIG postings.
Appeals and Policy Changes
Several retired IPS officers have previously appealed to serving officers to opt for central deputation, emphasizing the exposure to national‑level investigations and the importance of strengthening federal cooperation.
In 2022, the government revised deputation rules, warning that officers approved for central postings but failing to join would face penalties, including debarment from central deputation and foreign assignments for five years. The panel system for DIG deputation was also abolished to expedite appointments. Additionally, amendments to the All India Services Rules empowered the Centre to call IAS and IPS officers for deputation with or without state government consent.
Despite these reforms, the response from IPS officers remains muted.
A Growing Challenge for National Security
The persistent vacancies across IB, CBI, NIA, and CAPFs highlight a structural challenge for India’s internal security framework. Unless systemic issues and incentive structures are addressed, the reluctance of IPS officers to serve in central postings could have long‑term consequences for intelligence gathering, investigative capacity, and border management.
