Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Madhya Pradesh Reports 45,000 Vacant Police Posts
Madhya Pradesh has fewer police officers than the number approved for the state.
Officials say about 45,000 police jobs are vacant.
The state has 121.76 police personnel for every 100,000 people, while its approved staffing level would be 147.23.
Across India, the actual figure is also below the approved level.
The Centre has asked states to fill vacant police jobs.
Each state is responsible for recruiting its own police personnel.
Vacancies can happen when staff retire, resign, die, or leave service for other reasons.
The figures cited in the report are based on data from January 1, 2022.
Madhya Pradesh has about 45,000 vacant police posts, officials said.
The state has 121.76 police personnel per lakh people, compared with a sanctioned ratio of 147.23.
Nationally, the actual ratio is 152.80 per lakh, against a sanctioned 196.23.
The figures are based on data dated January 1, 2022, cited in a government reply drawing on a BPR&D report.
Police recruitment is a state responsibility; the Centre has asked states to fill vacancies.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh police and state officials; the Ministry of Home Affairs asked states to fill police vacancies.
- What
- About 45,000 police posts are vacant in Madhya Pradesh, whose actual police-to-population ratio is below its sanctioned ratio.
- When
- The cited police-strength data is as of January 1, 2022; the article describes the Centre's request as recent.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Vacancies arise from retirement, resignation, death, removal from service, and other reasons; recruitment is handled by individual states.
State responsibility
Central guidance
Who handles police recruitment?
State responsibility
An official said police recruitment and staffing are state responsibilities, and vacancies occur for several reasons.
Central guidance
The Ministry of Home Affairs periodically advises states on police administration reforms and recently asked them to fill vacant posts.
- Vacant Madhya Pradesh posts
- Around 45,000
- Madhya Pradesh actual ratio
- 121.76 police personnel per lakh population
- Madhya Pradesh sanctioned ratio
- 147.23 police personnel per lakh population
- National actual ratio
- 152.80 police personnel per lakh population
- National sanctioned ratio
- 196.23 police personnel per lakh population
- Data date
- January 1, 2022
- Lowest actual ratio listed
- Bihar, at 75.16 police personnel per lakh population
- Highest actual ratio listed
- Nagaland, at 1,189.33 police personnel per lakh population