The Police Reform Landscape in India

Author

Professor (Dr.) Lalith Kumar Dharavath,

Abstract

The police reform landscape in India remains a critical point of friction between structural modernisation and deep-seated institutional inertia. Rooted heavily in the colonial-era Police Act of 1861, the current framework prioritises executive control over public accountability, leading to widespread systemic inefficiencies. This paper examines the ongoing divide between judicial directives—most notably the Supreme Court’s landmark Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006) judgment—and the ground realities across Indian states.

Despite mandated guidelines for fixed tenures, independent oversight, and the functional separation of law-and-order duties from criminal investigations, implementation remains highly fragmented due to policing being a constitutional State subject. The system continues to grapple with severe structural deficits, including a bottom-heavy force composition where constables comprise roughly 86% of the workforce, chronic understaffing, and inadequate forensic infrastructure. Furthermore, while digital interventions like the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) have modernized record-keeping, they fail to resolve deep-rooted issues of political interference and low conviction rates.

Ultimately, this study underscores that meaningful police reform in India requires shifting the institutional culture from a "Ruler's Police" to a "People's Police." This transformation cannot be achieved through technological upgrades alone, but requires genuine political will, stringent adherence to judicial mandates, and a comprehensive overhaul of frontline training and welfare

Keywords

Police Reforms in India, Police Act of 1861, Prakash Singh Case (2006), Supreme Court Directives, Seventh Schedule (State Subject), Model Police Act

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References

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