Karnataka has just 8.9% women in police force, far behind Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu: Study
Bengaluru: Karnataka has only 8.91% women in its police force, significantly lower than the national average of 12.73%, and is trailing far behind states like Bihar (23.66%), Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, according to a study by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru.
The findings, reported by The Hindu on Saturday, reveal a stark gender gap in the state’s policing system, despite a 25% reservation for women in the force. The NLSIU project study, which surveyed 202 police stations across eight districts, found that nearly two-thirds of these stations had no woman officers in key investigative ranks such as Sub-Inspector (SI), Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), or Police Inspector (PI). Only three stations — two in Mysuru and one in Davangere — had a woman PI, two of which were designated women’s police stations. Additionally, 130 of the 202 stations had no woman SI at all.
Karnataka’s journey toward gender representation has been marked by uneven progress. In 2007, women constituted 5.44% of the police force. This figure rose modestly to over 6% by 2016, but dipped again to 5% in 2017 — the same year the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged the gender shortfall. In response, the state introduced a 20% quota for women, later increased to 25% in 2020. Despite this, the representation has barely crossed 8% as of 2021, and stands at just 8.91% in 2023.
According to the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission (KARC), at the current pace of recruitment and promotion, it will take over 25 years for the state to meet its own target, added The Hindu.
In contrast, states such as Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have demonstrated consistent progress, with women's representation in their police forces now exceeding 20%. Karnataka, however, has continued to fall short of the national average since 2012, widening the gap each year.
The study also highlighted that women police personnel, despite contributing significantly to routine police duties, are often excluded from core responsibilities such as investigations, including those involving sexual assault. Instead, they are used for token appearances, such as accompanying survivors or being present during statements.
Devyani Srivastava, Senior Manager (Research) and project lead at NLSIU, mentioned that achieving gender parity is not merely a constitutional requirement, but also an operational imperative. “A police institution with diverse skill sets and lived experiences is better equipped to respond to safety challenges of today. While increasing the share of policewomen is a crucial first step, ensuring gender-responsive policies, facilities, training and infrastructure, at all levels, must go hand in hand for meaningful outcomes,” The Hindu quoted her as saying.
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Muddada Ravi Chandra assumes charge as TTD executive officer
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) (PTI): Senior IAS officer Muddada Ravi Chandra on Friday assumed charge as the executive officer of the TTD, the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple here.
Chandra succeeds Anil Kumar Singhal, who was transferred recently and is embroiled in the alleged Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration scam case.
The TDP-led NDA government said the CBI-led SIT had accused Singhal, along with O Balaji, FA & CAO, AV Dharma Reddy, former additional executive officer and others of approving tender conditions without "application of mind", leading to the supply of adulterated ghee to make the famous Tirupati laddu.
"Muddada Ravi Chandra, IAS assumed charge as TTD EO (executive officer) inside Tirumala temple on Friday. After taking charge as the new EO of TTD, he had darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy inside the temple," an official release from the temple body said.
The EO took oath as the member ex-officio of the TTD Board at Bangaru Vakili, which was administered by additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary.
