₹1,100 Crore for Police Modernisation: Why It May Not Be Enough
The central government’s allocation of ₹1,100 crore under the “Assistance to States & UTs for Modernisation of Police” (ASUMP) scheme for 2023-24 was hailed as a significant step. Coupled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus at the 60th All India Conference of DGPs and IGPs on developing next-generation policing frameworks, the initiative underscores growing recognition of internal security challenges. Yet, the funding merits scrutiny. Against the backdrop of rising cybercrime and an outdated police infrastructure, is this truly adequate to modernize the colonial scaffolding India’s police forces still lean on?
The Institutional Framework: Stuck in the States vs Centre Binary
Police and public order are constitutionally assigned State subjects, as per Entry 2 of the State List under Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution. Consequently, State governments bear primary responsibility for policing. However, fiscal constraints among several States lead to reliance on central funding. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) operationalizes such support through the ASUMP scheme. It finances the procurement of weapons, communication systems, forensic labs, and mobility solutions. Its predecessor, the Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF) scheme, was revamped to better align resources with contemporary policing needs. Despite this structural support, States often fail to significantly scale their contributions, limiting the actual impact of modernization efforts.
Institutions such as the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) act as the interface between policing needs and technological innovation. The BPR&D facilitates training, operational research, and integration of AI, drones, and predictive policing tools. Yet, persistent issues like manpower shortages—India currently has only 152 officers per lakh population, far below the UN-recommended ratio of 222—and outdated equipment highlight the gulf between intent and execution.
Ground Realities Behind the Modernisation Effort
India's law enforcement infrastructure bears a distinctly colonial imprint. Over 80% of all police stations across the country still follow manual record-keeping methods despite the ongoing rollout of Modern Police Control Room systems. Vulnerabilities in addressing cybercrime—which constitutes 5,028 out of every 10,000 cognizable crimes—underscore a dire need for technology-enabled platforms. The irony is glaring: while schemes claim to emphasize forensic capabilities, reports show that less than 40% of police forces have access to even basic forensic labs.
Take Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). While intensive security operations have reduced LWE incidents by 76% between 2015 and 2022, areas like Chhattisgarh remain stubborn hotspots. Modern policing designed to tackle LWE is often ineffective without coordination mechanisms across States and agencies like the CRPF. Here, inter-agency friction dilutes operational cohesion. Equally concerning is the rise of drug trafficking; narcotics seizures in India rose by over 32% in the last two years, yet district-level Anti-Narcotics Cells remain underfunded.
Moreover, training structures to address urban crimes—particularly gender-based violence—often adhere to outdated norms. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveals a 6.8% increase in crimes against women in the past year, highlighting the policing inefficiencies worsened by inadequate training modules focusing on victim-centric approaches.
Structural Tensions: States, Funding, and Political Economy
One of the perennial obstacles to effective modernization lies in Centre-State dynamics. State governments often underutilize funds allocated under ASUMP due to bureaucratic lapses or political inertia. For instance, as of 2023, several States had unspent balances under the scheme totaling ₹185 crore. This under-utilization exacerbates resource shortages, particularly in backward districts.
The political economy angle cannot be overlooked either. The prioritization of visible enforcement measures—such as the construction of new police barracks—over subtle investments like upgrading forensic techniques or surveillance tools reflects electoral compulsions. High-profile arrests or publicized crackdown operations often trump systemic capacity building, leaving critical gaps in crime prevention infrastructure.
Lessons from Germany: Precision Policing and Data Transparency
India’s modernisation aspirations can draw insights from Germany—a nation known for its "precision policing." German law enforcement agencies are tightly integrated with their forensic systems and boast crime clearance rates exceeding 60%. A robust data-driven framework underpins this success. For example, Germany's Polizeigesetz mandates time-bound audits of all police protocols and ensures transparency in surveillance operations—a sharp contrast with the opacity surrounding India’s law enforcement data.
Furthermore, Germany’s approach prioritizes decentralized training models. Police officers receive specialized modules tailored to regional crime patterns, fostering localized expertise—a model India can adapt as district policing becomes more complex in urban areas.
What Would Real Modernisation Look Like?
Success metrics for modernisation shouldn't rest simply on budgetary leaps. It must address institutional accountability, transparency, and community engagement. For instance, integrating victim assistance cells within police stations could bolster trust—a critical metric for gauging public perception. Additionally, strengthening cyber forensics through district-level infrastructure rather than solely relying on metropolitan hubs could reduce response times significantly.
The real risk lies in confusing headline announcements with tangible reform. Policymakers must remember that modernization doesn’t just mean equipping forces but also re-training them for citizen-centric policing. We must track key indicators: reduction in unspent scheme funds, adherence to modern surveillance audit standards, and measurable improvements in crime handling efficiency.
Practice Questions for UPSC
Prelims Practice Questions
- A. The ASUMP scheme primarily focuses on financial support for the procurement of weapons and technology.
- B. Less than 40% of police forces in India have access to basic forensic labs.
- C. Primary responsibility for policing is entrusted to the central government.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- A. Colonial legacy of the police infrastructure.
- B. High ratio of police officers to population.
- C. Insufficient training for addressing modern urban crimes.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the ₹1,100 crore allocation under the ASUMP scheme for police modernization?
The ₹1,100 crore allocation is significant as it represents a governmental attempt to address the challenges in internal security and modernize police infrastructure amidst rising cybercrime. However, the funding has raised concerns about whether it is sufficient to revamp the outdated colonial systems that still dominate India's policing framework.
How do constitutional provisions affect the funding and modernization of police forces in India?
Constitutionally, police and public order fall under State subjects, placing the primary responsibility on State governments for policing. This decentralization leads to fiscal constraints, compelling states to rely heavily on central funding, as seen in the operationalization of the ASUMP scheme by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What are the implications of the low officer-to-population ratio in India's police force?
India's current officer-to-population ratio of 152 per lakh is below the UN-recommended 222, leading to manpower shortages and inadequate policing capabilities. This deficiency exacerbates challenges in addressing rising crime rates and can hinder effective law enforcement strategies, particularly in areas of urban crime and gender-based violence.
What challenges do states face in utilizing funds allocated under the ASUMP scheme?
States often fail to utilize allocated ASUMP funds due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and political inertia, with unspent balances as high as ₹185 crore in certain states. This under-utilization can stall modernization efforts, particularly in less developed districts that urgently need upgraded policing resources and training.
How might lessons from Germany's policing model inform India’s modernization efforts?
Germany's approach to precision policing, characterized by tight integration with forensic systems and substantial crime clearance rates, offers valuable insights for India. Implementing similar data-driven frameworks and transparency in policing protocols could enhance efficiency, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement in India.
Source: LearnPro Editorial | Internal Security | Published: 2 December 2025 | Last updated: 3 March 2026
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