Why in NEWS
The Union Government has introduced a Single Window System (SWS) to streamline and standardize the appointment process of Director Generals of Police (DGPs)/Heads of Police Force (HoPF) in states. This move aligns with the Supreme Court’s directions in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India (2006) judgment and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.
Key Terms / Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| DGP / HoPF | The highest-ranking police officer in a state |
| Prakash Singh Case (2006) | Landmark SC judgment directing police reforms to insulate the police from political pressure |
| Single Window System (SWS) | A centralized online mechanism to process DGP appointments uniformly |
| Residual Service | The minimum period an officer must have remaining in service (6 months) |
| Superintendence | Constitutional control of police under the State Government |
Key Features of the Single Window System
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Standardization | Common checklist and format for all states to submit DGP proposals |
| Eligibility Certification | A Secretary-level officer must certify officer eligibility (e.g., residual service) |
| Timely Submission | Proposals to be sent at least 3 months before the anticipated vacancy |
| SC Compliance | Ensures states adhere to the Prakash Singh directives and MHA rules |
Structure of Police Administration in India
| Level | Authority / Control |
|---|---|
| Central Level | MHA (in UTs and coordination role only) |
| State Level | Police is a State Subject under 7th Schedule; State Government controls |
| District Level | Dual control between District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) |
| Top State Officer | DGP (Director General of Police) or HoPF |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “DGP SAFE”
- D – DGP appointment reform
- G – Guidelines by MHA
- P – Prakash Singh judgment
- S – Standard format for proposals
- A – Advance submission (3 months)
- F – Final list based on eligibility
- E – Eligibility certified by Secretary-rank officer
Prelims Practice Questions
- The Single Window System (SWS) for DGP appointments was launched to:
(a) Monitor crime statistics
(b) Enforce anti-terror laws
(c) Standardize the DGP selection process
(d) Centralize police transfers - Which of the following statements is correct?
- Police is a State subject under the Union List.
- The Prakash Singh case is related to police reforms.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
- As per the SWS guidelines, a state must submit DGP proposals:
(a) At the time of vacancy
(b) 1 month before vacancy
(c) 3 months before vacancy
(d) 6 months after vacancy
Prelims Answer Key
| Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (c) | SWS is meant to streamline DGP selection |
| 2 | (b) | Police is a State subject under the State List, not Union List |
| 3 | (c) | Proposals must be submitted 3 months before anticipated vacancy |
