Law enforcement in India

Law enforcement in India is imperative to keep law and order in the nation. Indian law is enforced by a number of agencies. India has a multi-layered law enforcement structure with both federal and state/union territory level agencies, including specialized ones with specific jurisdictions. Unlike many federal nations, the constitution of India delegates the maintenance of law and order primarily to the states and territories. State governments have the legislative and administrative powers in matters relating to the police, public order, prisons, and prosecution.

Under the Constitution, police and public order is a subject governed by states. Therefore, each of the 28 states have their own police forces. The centre is also allowed to maintain its own police forces to assist the states with ensuring law and order. Therefore, it maintains seven central armed police forces and some other central police organisations for specialised tasks such as intelligence gathering, investigation, research and record-keeping, and training.

The Central Government supports State Governments by providing financial assistance for the modernisation of State Police Forces and by sharing intelligence inputs through central security and intelligence agencies to prevent crime and maintain law and order.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the national ministry responsible for internal security, domestic intelligence, boarder management and the coordination of central and state law enforcement agencies in India. It includes Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organizations (CPOs).

Larger metropolitan cities have their own police forces under their respective state police (except the Kolkata Police that is autonomous and reports to state's Home Department). The Indian Police Service (IPS) is an All India Civil Service, which provides leadership at senior ranks across state police forces, central armed police forces, central investigative agencies, intelligence and regulatory bodies.