J'khand to take 175 years to achieve 33% women quota in police force, says report

Ranchi: The India Justice Report (IJR) 2025 has highlighted concerning statistics about women's representation in Jharkhand's police force, claiming the state might take approximately 175 years to achieve gender parity and allocate 33% quota for female personnel. However, senior state police officials have strongly contested these statistics.

According to the IJR report, which analyses data up to January 2023, Jharkhand's timeline for achieving gender parity in the police force ranks among the worst in India, alongside Tripura, which tops the list at 222 years to achieve the 33% quota, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (221 years).

In contrast, states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are projected to reach the target within three years. The report acknowledges Jharkhand's recent progress, showing a reduction in the projected timeline compared to 2022.

Notably, the Union ministry of home affairs' recommendation of three women sub-inspectors (SIs) and 10 constables per police station also remains largely unmet across the country with Delhi being the sole exception. Jharkhand currently has an average of just 0.3 SIs and 6.1 female constables per police station.

Challenging IJR's projections, Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta dismissed the 175-year timeline, emphasising the state govt's commitment to recruitment of women. He highlighted the ongoing initiatives, including plans to train 100 women officers for deployment as ‘munshi' (administrative officers) at police stations, handling crucial paperwork such as FIR registration and station diary maintenance. The state currently operates 30 women police stations.

Deputy inspector general (personnel) Naushad Alam provided more specific data to counter the IJR figures, noting that women constitute 5% of the state's 70,000 police personnel. He announced plans to recruit over 3,300 women in the upcoming recruitment drive for 10,000 constables. Similar recruitment patterns will be implemented for sub-inspector positions, state industrial security force, and state Indian Reserve Battalion personnel, he said.

Alam also emphasized the development of infrastructure supporting women personnel, including separate barracks and toilets at police stations. He noted an encouraging trend of increased interest among women in joining the police force.