The Story of Women in Jammu and Kashmir Police

Published On: December 4, 2024

Women in Jammu and Kashmir Police: Only about 6% of the JKP force comprises women, despite repeated efforts by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to achieve 33% representation. This information was revealed by Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, in response to a question regarding women in police forces across States and Union Territories during a session in the Lok Sabha.

Current Strength of Women in Police Forces

Jammu and Kashmir Police is having only 4370 women personnel (Civil + District Armed Reserve + Armed + IRB).
In the police force of Union Territory of Ladakh, the strength of women personnel is 777 as on January 1, 2023.
As per the website of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the total strength of the force is 83000 as such women constitute only around 6% of the total personnel in JKP.

Role of State and Central Governments in Recruitment

Police is a State subject falling in List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and it is primarily the responsibility of the State/UT Governments to recruit more women police personnel.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued advisories to all the States/UT administrations to increase the representation of women police to 33% of the total strength.

Government’s Efforts to Improve Representation

The aim is that each Police Station should have at least 3 women Sub-Inspectors and 10 women police constables so that a women help desk is manned round the clock.
All the State Governments/UTs administrations have been requested to create additional posts of women constables/Sub-Inspectors by converting the vacant posts of constables/Sub-Inspectors.

15% Reservation for Women in J&K Police

The number of women personnel will go up considerably in the coming years in the light of the announcement of 15% reservation for women in the non-gazetted posts in the Jammu and Kashmir Police made by the Lieutenant Governor.
The step of 15% reservation for women in JKP will give due representation to women in Police force and will ensure the availability of sufficient women personnel to engage exclusively in the matter of gender-based crimes.

Commitment to Strengthening Women Empowerment

15% reservation is just the beginning and the Government is determined and committed to increase it further in the future.
The move will lay the foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable society.”
The Lieutenant Governor’s announcement paved the way for increasing the strength of women in Jammu and Kashmir Police.