 has issued new guidelines regarding the empanelment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers for Inspector General (IG) or equivalent posts at the Centre.){kind=link}
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines regarding the empanelment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers for Inspector General (IG) or equivalent posts at the Centre.
As per the latest order dated 28 January 2026, IPS officers must now have a minimum of two years of Central deputation experience at the SP, DIG, or equivalent level to be eligible for empanelment to IG-level posts at the Central Government.
Police Ranks in India
What Has Changed?
According to the MHA notification, this requirement will be mandatory for IPS officers of the 2011 batch onwards. Officers who do not meet the minimum two-year Central experience condition will not be considered for empanelment at the IG or equivalent level at the Centre.
The Central experience must be at:
- SP level, or
- DIG level, or
- Any equivalent post under the Central Government
Who Issued the Order?
The order has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and has been sent to all Chief Secretaries of State Governments. The Ministry has also asked that this rule be brought to the notice of all IPS officers in their respective cadres.
Why This Matters
Empanelment is necessary for IPS officers to hold senior positions in Central police organisations and ministries. This new guideline is expected to ensure that officers posted at the Centre at senior levels have adequate exposure and experience of Central administration.