Façade often conceals a grim reality. It is corroborated by the latest India Justice Report (IJR), released on Tuesday at the India International Centre (IIC). Despite the tall talk of women’s empowerment and equal opportunities, the latest edition of the India Justice Report reveals a different story altogether. According to it, there are less than 1,000 women occupying senior ranks in India’s 20.3 lakh strong police force, especially in the ranks of Superintendents and Director-Generals.
Similarly, the number of women non-IPS officers is just over 25,000, comprising just 8% of the 3.1 lakh total officers. Pitiably, 90% of women in the police force occupy the constabulary rank. This figure is based on the national database of IJR 2025.
The two-year study used data from the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) among others.
According to the report, Karnataka is the top-ranking state overall followed by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala on the indicators of the justice delivery mechanism. This is the fourth edition of the report, brought out in collaboration with partners including the Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, DAKSH, TISS-Prayas, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, and How India Lives, IJR’s data partner. Initiated by the Tata Trusts, IJR’s findings were first published in 2019.
