In a landmark achievement for gender diversity in India's police forces, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad is celebrating its highest-ever percentage of women officers in a passing-out batch. The 77th Regular Recruits batch will see women constituting 36% of the total officer trainees, a significant jump from previous years.
Historic Milestone in Police Training
Academy Director Amit Garg revealed that this year's batch has set a new institutional record with women comprising 36% of the passing-out officers. This marks a substantial increase from last year's 29% and demonstrates a consistent upward trend in female representation. Correspondingly, the proportion of male officers has decreased from 79% to 64% over the same period.
The national police academy will conduct its Dikshant Parade on October 17, ceremoniously marking the completion of Phase I training. A total of 190 officer trainees, including 174 IPS probationers and 16 foreign officers from Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, will receive their certificates during this event.
Comprehensive Training and Future Postings
The 77th Regular Recruits batch began their journey at SVPNPA on December 9, 2024, after completing their foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Since then, they have undergone 45 weeks of intensive Phase I training.
Director Garg outlined the next phase of their preparation: "The probationers will now proceed to Delhi for a series of attachments and visits to key institutions, including the Central Police Organisations, the Central Armed Police Forces, and the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training."
The officers will also undergo attachments with the CRPF and the Indian Army, adding four weeks to their training timeline. This brings the total duration of Phase I training to 49 weeks. Following this, the officers will undertake 29 weeks of district practical training in their respective cadres or states.
Evolving Training Methods and Officer Profiles
The academy is witnessing significant shifts in both the backgrounds of trainees and their training methodologies. Director Garg noted that while fewer engineering graduates are joining the service, more candidates from arts and law backgrounds are now entering the civil service.
In response to evolving policing challenges, SVPNPA has introduced the innovative 'SMART' training module, which stands for Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Accountable and Alert, Responsive and Reliable, and Technologically proficient. "These key areas are the focus of our modules to ensure our officers are well-prepared to serve society effectively," Garg explained.
The curriculum has been updated to include contemporary subjects such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, behavioural sciences, and mental well-being, reflecting the academy's commitment to preparing officers for modern policing demands.
This transformation in training approach, combined with increasing gender diversity, positions SVPNPA as an institution actively evolving to meet the complex challenges of 21st-century law enforcement in India.
