Jammu, Oct 6: The Union Territory (UT) administration of Jammu and Kashmir is on the verge of introducing new Rules on Cadre Formation for Jammu and Kashmir Police Services (JKPS). This significant move will allow JKPS officers to be promoted to six posts equivalent to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank, and later to two posts at Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank, without the need for induction into the Indian Police Services (IPS).
The initiative, initially proposed by the BJP-PDP Government in 2017 under Mehbooba Mufti, aimed to address delays in JKPS officer inductions into the IPS. The delay had been exacerbated by the reduction of the promotion quota from 50% to 33% by the Central Government, aligning Jammu and Kashmir’s police services with the rest of the states. Although formally approved in 2017, the rules weren’t framed due to the government’s collapse, followed by the UT status being granted to Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources within the administration revealed that the rules are now under final stages of preparation and are expected to be issued soon. This development is particularly beneficial for JKPS officers of the 1999 batch, who had previously been unable to advance due to limited IPS induction slots. Many JKPS officers retired as Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), missing out on higher designations like DIG and IGP due to existing IPS constraints.
For years, JKPS officers faced stagnant career progression compared to Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officers, who already enjoyed promotions to higher ranks under similar provisions. This move aims to rectify that disparity by promoting JKPS officers based on seniority, irrespective of IPS induction.
From 2011 to 2021, no JKPS officer was inducted into IPS due to legal challenges. However, in the last three years, about 44 JKPS officers have successfully been inducted into the IPS, thanks to persistent efforts by the UT government and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Despite these inductions, many senior JKPS officers have been stuck at SSP rank for extended periods, unable to progress to DIG and IGP roles. The proposed rules will now provide them with new avenues for promotion.
According to the framework, once a JKPS officer serving in a DIG-equivalent post is inducted into the IPS, they will be eligible for regular DIG postings. The vacated posts will be passed on to the next most senior JKPS officers, ensuring a continuous promotional pipeline.
The idea of cadre formation is not new. Under the UPA Government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh, a 50:50 ratio was established for the induction of JKAS and JKPS officers into IAS and IPS, giving Jammu and Kashmir 50% direct recruits and 50% promotions. However, the Modi Government, in line with its “One Nation, One Provision” policy, restored the national ratio to 67:33, reducing promotional prospects for J&K officers.
This new rule is expected to be a game-changer for the career prospects of many JKPS officers, providing much-needed relief and career growth opportunities.
