MHA Mandates Two-Year Central Deputation for IPS Officers’ IGP Posting
In January 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revised its promotion guidelines by making a minimum two-year Central Deputation experience mandatory for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers at the ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) to become eligible for posting as Inspector General of Police (IGP) with the Union Government.
Key Details:
Objective: The measure aims to improve the availability of experienced officers at the Centre and strengthen leadership in Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Applicability:  The directive applies to IPS officers of the 2011 batch onwards.
Earlier Norm:  A similar mandatory Central deputation requirement was already applicable to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.