90 per cent of women in police force serving in junior ranks: Report

India’s Justice System and Gender Disparity in Policing: Key Findings from the India Justice Report 2025

India’s justice system, while evolving, still faces significant challenges, particularly when it comes to gender representation within the police force and issues of infrastructure. A new report, the India Justice Report (IJR) 2025, launched by Tata Trusts with support from various civil society organizations, highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in the country’s justice sector. The report tracks performance across four crucial areas: police, judiciary, prisons, and legal aid. Among the most eye-catching findings, gender disparities in the police force stand out, revealing the persistent underrepresentation of women in higher ranks.

Gender Disparities in the Police Force

The IJR 2025 report emphasizes that despite growing awareness about the importance of gender diversity in law enforcement, women still make up a small percentage of senior police ranks. Of the 2.4 lakh women working in police forces across India, only 960 are in senior positions such as Director Generals and Superintendents of Police. This is a stark contrast to the 2.17 lakh women serving in the constabulary, indicating a clear gender divide within the hierarchy of the police force.

In terms of non-Indian Police Service (IPS) roles, 24,322 women hold positions like Deputy Superintendent, Inspector, or Sub-Inspector, but this number still pales compared to the 24,000 women serving at lower ranks in constables. Furthermore, the authorized strength of the Indian Police Service is 5,047 officers, but only a fraction of women reach these upper echelons.

Madhya Pradesh stands out for having the highest number of women Deputy Superintendents of Police (133), marking a positive step toward gender inclusion at higher levels. However, nationwide, the picture remains bleak for women in leadership positions in policing.

Women’s Representation: A National Concern

The report points out a troubling fact—no state or Union Territory has managed to meet its target for women’s representation in the police force. This is a critical issue, especially when considering the increasing emphasis on gender equality across various sectors of the government. The police force, however, continues to struggle with the challenge of integrating women into leadership roles despite their crucial role in the safety and security of citizens.

The report also reveals that 78% of police stations now feature Women Help Desks, which aims to make it easier for women to report crimes and seek help. However, this remains only one small step toward addressing gender disparity in the police force.

Gender and Social Representation in the Judiciary

Another notable aspect of the IJR 2025 report is the growing representation of women in the judiciary. Over the past few years, the share of women in district judiciary has risen to 38%. This increase reflects some progress toward gender equality in India’s legal system. However, the representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) within the judiciary remains low. SCs make up 17% of the police force, while STs represent 12%, but these figures still fall short of what would be proportional representation, highlighting systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities in the justice system.

Police Infrastructure and Staffing Deficiencies

The IJR also sheds light on the severe infrastructural and staffing issues that plague India’s police force and legal system. The Indian Police Service faces substantial staffing shortages, as seen with the 21% vacancy rate in district courts. Similarly, the High Courts face a 33% vacancy rate, which significantly affects their ability to handle the large caseloads that are common in many states.

The report stresses that the number of judges in India—15 judges per million people—remains far below the 1987 Law Commission’s recommendation of 50 judges per million people. The workload is particularly heavy in states like Allahabad and Madhya Pradesh, where district court judges handle as many as 2,200 cases each. The issue is further compounded by prison overcrowding, with many jails operating at 131% of capacity, creating an environment of increased tension and insecurity.

Prisons and Human Rights Violations

One of the most disturbing findings of the IJR 2025 is the extent of overcrowding in India’s prisons. The national average occupancy rate is 131%, with several prisons in states like Uttar Pradesh operating at over 250% capacity. This overpopulation not only contributes to a deteriorating quality of life for inmates but also strains the already limited resources for medical care and rehabilitation services.

The report also highlights a serious medical personnel shortage, noting that there is only one doctor for every 775 prisoners, significantly higher than the recommended ratio of 300:1. In some states, like Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, this ratio exceeds 1,000:1, making access to healthcare in prisons a significant concern.

Refugee Crisis and Legal Aid

The IJR 2025 underscores the crisis of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), particularly as Sudan’s war and climate change continue to drive migration in the region. The U.N. reports a 38% decline in the availability of paralegal volunteers (PLVs) over the past five years. These volunteers play a crucial role in providing legal aid and ensuring access to justice for vulnerable populations, but their numbers continue to dwindle. With only 3 PLVs per lakh population currently available, the system remains under-resourced.

Additionally, there is a severe lack of psychologists and psychiatrists in Indian prisons, with only 25 professionals available nationwide, underlining the inadequate mental health support provided to incarcerated individuals.

Conclusion: The Need for Systemic Reform

The India Justice Report 2025 paints a grim picture of the current state of India’s justice system. While some progress has been made in gender representation and access to legal aid, significant gaps remain, particularly in the police and judiciary. The report calls for urgent reforms to address these systemic deficiencies, including staffing shortages, prison overcrowding, and gender disparities at higher ranks in the police force.

The challenges highlighted in this report call for an urgent reassessment of how India can meet the needs of its people—especially the marginalized and vulnerable communities. Without comprehensive reform and an increase in resources, India’s justice system will continue to disproportionately burden the poor, the oppressed, and the displaced.