The SPG is staring at a critical manpower gap at the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level, according to official sources. 

“The shortage within the SPG has intensified following the recent repatriation of several senior officers to their parent state cadres,” a source in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Secretariat. 

In response, the MHA has initiated an urgent nationwide exercise to identify eligible IPS officers for central deputation to the force.

The development comes close on the heels of similar concerns raised within the Intelligence Bureau (IB), signalling a broader challenge confronting the country’s internal security establishment.

Nominations Sought From States

The MHA has written to the Chief Secretaries of all states — excluding Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Mizoram — as well as the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre administration, seeking nominations of suitable officers for DIG-rank positions in the SPG. Officers belonging to the AGMUT cadre are directly under the administrative control of the MHA.

Officials familiar with the matter said the communication directed state governments to circulate details of the vacancies widely among eligible IPS officers and forward nominations of willing candidates by May 31. 

The ministry has highlighted the urgent need for experienced officers to strengthen the SPG’s leadership structure, particularly at a time when the organisation remains heavily engaged in securing the Prime Minister during extensive domestic and international engagements.

Eligibility Criteria

Under the eligibility criteria prescribed by the MHA, IPS officers must have completed a minimum of 14 years of service to be considered for DIG-level appointments in the SPG. 

States have also been asked to provide detailed service records, vigilance clearance, and formal consent from nominated officers along with their recommendations.

Sources said the rigorous selection process reflects the highly sensitive nature of assignments handled by the SPG. Officers being considered are expected to possess impeccable integrity, strong operational capabilities and an exceptional professional track record. 

Given the force’s critical mandate, only officers meeting the highest standards of competence and reliability are likely to be shortlisted.

What Caused The Shortage 

The current shortage has become particularly acute after nearly a dozen DIG-rank officers were recently repatriated to their respective cadres. 

While such repatriations are a routine administrative process aimed at ensuring officers receive adequate career progression opportunities in their home cadres, the departures have created significant vacancies within the SPG’s senior command structure.

Security officials noted that manpower shortages in senior positions are not uncommon across central police organisations and paramilitary forces. However, the impact is considerably more serious in the SPG because of its specialised operational responsibilities and the precision required in carrying out its duties.

DIG-rank officers within the SPG play a pivotal role in strategic supervision and operational coordination. Their responsibilities include threat assessment, liaison with intelligence agencies, oversight of security drills, and managing the complex logistics surrounding the Prime Minister’s movements. They also supervise advance security arrangements during election rallies, diplomatic meetings, foreign visits and high-risk public engagements.

The issue mirrors a similar staffing challenge confronting the Intelligence Bureau. Earlier reports indicated that the IB is grappling with a severe shortage of IPS officers, particularly at the DIG and Superintendent of Police (SP) levels, both considered vital for operational efficiency and field coordination.

Out of 203 sanctioned IPS posts in the IB, nearly 81 remain vacant, amounting to an overall shortage of around 40%. The DIG rank alone accounts for 36 vacancies against a sanctioned strength of 63 posts, while 45 positions at the SP level remain unfilled out of a total sanctioned strength of 83.

What The SPG Does

Security experts say the shortages are especially concerning, given the increasingly complex threat-environment faced by India’s security agencies. The SPG, in particular, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most professional and technologically advanced close-protection forces. 

Established exclusively to safeguard the Prime Minister and designated protectees, the organisation functions on the guiding principles of “Zero Error” and a “Culture of Excellence”.

SPG personnel undergo extensive physical, tactical, and intelligence-based training designed to prepare them for a broad spectrum of threat scenarios. Their responsibilities demand flawless coordination under high-pressure situations, often involving multiple agencies and complex operational environments.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintaining an extensive travel and public engagement schedule across India and abroad, the Centre’s latest outreach to states is being viewed as a high-priority effort to ensure that the SPG remains adequately staffed, with experienced leadership capable of maintaining seamless and foolproof security operations.