Brief Context
In News Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 60th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police in Chhattisgarh under the theme “Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions”. India’s Police Modernisation Police and law and order are State subjects under the Constitution, making State Governments primarily responsible for them. However, due to financial constraints, many States have struggled to modernize their police forces.
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Syllabus: GS3/internal Security
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 60th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police in Chhattisgarh under the theme “Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions”.
- He focused on strengthening internal security and developing next-level policing frameworks to address new-age threats.
India’s Police Modernisation
- Police and law and order are State subjects under the Constitution, making State Governments primarily responsible for them.
- However, due to financial constraints, many States have struggled to modernize their police forces.
- To support them, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been supplementing resources through “Assistance to State & UTs for Modernization of Police” (ASUMP) [erstwhile scheme of Modernization of State Police Forces (MPF)].
Need for Modernisation
- India’s police system is still largely governed by colonial-era structures, often ill-equipped to deal with cybercrime, terrorism, organised crime, and urban policing challenges.
- Growing population, rapid urbanisation, and complex law-and-order situations demand efficient, technology-enabled policing.
- Public trust and perception of the police remain low, requiring reforms in training, accountability, and community engagement.
Emerging Issues
- Cybercrime and digital frauds are rising sharply, requiring specialised units and advanced forensic tools.
- Left Wing Extremism (LWE), coastal security, and drug trafficking remain pressing concerns.
- Shortage of manpower, outdated equipment, and inadequate training hinder effective policing.
Steps Taken by India
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) runs the Assistance to States for Modernisation of Police scheme, funding weapons, communication systems, forensic labs, and mobility solutions.
- The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) drives innovation, training, and technology adoption, acting as a bridge between police and scientific institutions.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently emphasised monitoring banned outfits, strengthening coastal security, and holistic disaster management at the DGP/IGP conference.
Conclusion and Way Ahead
- Police modernization in India aims to transform the force into a professional, citizen-centric, and technologically empowered institution capable of addressing 21st-century challenges.
- This involves integrating AI, predictive policing, drones, surveillance, and cyber forensics, alongside capacity building through regular training, modern equipment, and specialized units for cyber and financial crimes.
Source: Air