Introduction
India’s policing framework remains predominantly centered around the colonial-era Police Act of 1861, which persists despite glaring systemic deficiencies. The Model Police Act (2006)—drafted by Soli Sorabjee, and endorsed by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh judgment (2006)—provides a blueprint for transforming police into a SMART Force: Strict & Sensitive; Modern & Mobile; Alert & Accountable; Reliable & Responsive; Tech‑savvy & Trained Wikipedia+15Drishti IAS+15PRS Legislative Research+15.
However, over nearly two decades, adoption has remained piecemeal—only 17 states have considered or amended their laws to align with the Model Act Sanskriti IASCompass by Rau's IAS. Meanwhile, accountability mechanisms like the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) remain weak and under-resourced in many states Wikipedia.
Major Challenges Facing India’s Police (2025 Baseline)
1. Severe Staffing & Structural Issues
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Police-population ratio: ~155 personnel per 100,000—well below the UN-recommended 222 NewsClick+1Legal Service India+1
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Vacancies: ~22% unfilled posts nationally; Bihar exceeds 25% The Times of India+15NewsClick+15The Times of India+15
2. Training & Capacity Gaps
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States allot only ~1.25% of police budget to training; specialized training remains inconsistent NewsClick+1Drishti IAS+1
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The Standing Committee urged modern training modules across all police academies, including AI, drones, forensic science, and human rights Tata Trusts+15Sanskriti IAS+15Drishti IAS+15
3. Technological Lag & Poor Infrastructure
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Initiatives like CCTNS and ICJS have progressed but struggle due to poor connectivity and literacy NewsClick+1The Times of India+1
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Only 83% of police stations have CCTV; compliance with Supreme Court norms is uneven The Times of India+6NewsClick+6Tata Trusts+6
4. Exclusion & Accountability Deficits
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Women make up just ~8% of officer posts; overall female staffing stands at ~12% Drishti IAS
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SC/ST/OBC quotas largely unmet across multiple states; only Karnataka meets all quotas NewsClick+1Study IQ Education+1
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Custodial torture attitudes persist: 1 in 4 officers justify mob violence in sexual assault cases Wikipedia+1Reddit+1
Key Reform Agenda Under Model Police Act & Judicial Mandates
✅ Institutional & Statutory Reforms
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Replace Police Act 1861 with modern legislation per Model Police Act 2006, establishing State Security Commissions, Police Establishment Boards, and fixed tenures for senior officers The Times of India+10Drishti IAS+10Drishti IAS+10
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Enact State-specific amendments like Karnataka’s 2024 law mandating two‑year minimum tenure in operational roles Drishti IAS+3Wikipedia+3Legal Service India+3
✅ Community Policing & Complaint Oversight
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Official recognition of Janamaithri Suraksha (Kerala) and Mohalla Committees (Maharashtra) models under the Model Act Drishti IAS
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Establish functioning Police Complaints Authorities in every state and district, backed by retired judges and civil society members Sanskriti IAS+2Wikipedia+2Drishti IAS+2
✅ Technology & Forensic Enhancement
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Expansion of the Modernization of Police Forces (MPF) scheme: mobile forensic vans, body cameras, AI systems The Times of India+4Study IQ Education+4Drishti IAS+4
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Maharashtra’s AI initiative MARVEL integrates predictive analytics and crime monitoring Wikipedia+1Drishti IAS+1
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Delhi's ANPR-enabled e-Beat Book improves vehicle tracking and criminal mobility mapping The Times of India
✅ Community Feedback & Women Safety Tools
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Haryana’s QR-feedback system and Gurgaon’s auto-booths for women safety reflect citizen-centric policing innovation The Times of India
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Maharashtra’s Operation Muskaan/Shodh and Police Kaka-Didi improved recovery rates for missing women The Times of India
State-Level Highlights & Innovations
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Karnataka: Two-year tenure rule; police university and forensic institute proposals; advanced AI adoption WikipediaPRS Legislative Research
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Kerala: Leading in community policing and rights-awareness; high adoption of Women Help Desks The Times of India+6Legal Service India+6Drishti IAS+6
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Bihar & Punjab: ₹190 cr person, new forensic labs, upgraded weaponry, women-focused battalions, anti-drone deployments The Times of India
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Chhattisgarh: Removing social apps from field forces to prevent intel leaks during anti-Naxal ops The Times of India
Conclusion
India stands at a critical juncture in police reform. A far-reaching transformation is overdue, guided by constitutional and Supreme Court mandates like Prakash Singh and informed by the Model Police Act 2006. Progress has begun—with better recruitment rules, technology use, oversight authorities, and community engagement—but widespread change demands uniform adoption, deep training investments, and institutional accountability.
Only then can policing evolve from being overburdened and reactive to becoming a modern, accountable force that protects democratic rights and builds public trust.