Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A proposal by the Police Headquarters (PHQ) to recruit 8,500 police personnel is stalled after the General Administration Department (GAD) returned it, seeking detailed justification for the large-scale hiring plan.
The delay has raised concerns over Simhastha 2028 preparedness, as officials fear that stalled recruitment may affect timely deployment and manpower readiness.
The proposal seeks to recruit 7,500 constables, 500 subedars and assistant sub-inspectors, and 500 inspectors to address vacancies in the police department.
Officials said the GAD has asked the PHQ to submit records of orders issued in past decades regarding vacant posts in the department and explain why such a large number of positions need to be filled at this stage.
In August last year, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had asked the PHQ to fill 22,500 vacant posts in the police department before Simhastha 2028. Since then, the PHQ has been working to bridge the gap between vacant and sanctioned posts.
Following the 2023 constable recruitment examination, the PHQ issued an order in 2025 for the recruitment of 7,500 constables and 1,000 subedars, assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors. In 2026, a fresh proposal to recruit 8,500 personnel, including constables, subedars, assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors, was sent to the government. The Home Department has returned the proposal with queries.
Questions on sent proposal
Deputy Inspector General (Selection and Recruitment) Virendra Singh told Free Press that the GAD has returned the proposal to the PHQ and raised queries. The department is preparing its response.
Constable Recruitment Exam 2025
The police recruitment examination process for 2025 is in the final stage. The written and physical tests have concluded, and the final result is awaited. The Employee Selection Board conducts the written examination, while the police department conducts the physical proficiency test.
Police Recruitment Board
Meanwhile, the PHQ is awaiting approval to establish a Police Recruitment Board, as announced by the Chief Minister, to conduct examinations independently. However, the file is pending between the PHQ and the Home Department. PHQ officials said that if the board had been established, the department could have conducted the examination at its convenience and completed the process before Simhastha 2028.
