Rules for deputation of DIGs: what Centre proposes to change, and why

What is the News?

The Centre has issued an order on the central deputation of Deputy Inspector General-level IPS officers. The order states that IPS officers coming to the Centre at the DIG level would no longer be required to be empanelled at that level with the Union Government.

Note: This order comes after the Centre has proposed to amend the All India Service Rules that would allow it to call any IAS, IPS or IFoS officer on central deputation with or without the state’s consent.

What are the present rules on central deputation of Deputy Inspector General-level IPS officers?

Currently, a DIG-ranked IPS officer with a minimum experience of 14 years could only be deputed to the Centre if the Police Establishment Board empanelled them as DIGs at the Centre. 

The board chooses the panel on the basis of officers’ career and vigilance records. However, the Superintendent of Police-level officers does not require empanelment at the Centre.

What is the new order issued by the Centre?

The new order states that IPS officers coming to the Centre at the DIG level would no longer be required to be empanelled at that level with the Union Government.

This makes the entire pool of DIG-level officers in a state eligible for central deputation.

However, this would not automatically allow DIGs to come to the Centre. Officers would still have to be put on the offer list for central deputation, which is decided by the states and the Centre in consultation.

What is the need for the new order regarding central deputation of DIG-level IPS officers?

This order is aimed at increasing the pool of DIG-level IPS officers for central deputation in the backdrop of massive vacancies in Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

According to data sourced from various CPOs and CAPFs, out of 252 posts reserved for IPS officers at the DIG level at the Centre, 118 (almost half) are vacant.

Why are States having problems with this order?

The new order is seen by many states as the Centre’s attempt to further increase its powers over officers serving in the states.

Moreover, states also have an issue in releasing IPS officers for the Centre’s deputation as there is a serious shortage of officers in the states too.

Source: This post is based on the article “Rules for deputation of DIGs: what Centre proposes to change, and why” published in Indian Express on 5th Mar 2022.