Uttar Pradesh’s recent budget presentation sets a strong example for prioritizing policing in India. In the 2026-27 fiscal year, the state allocated over Rs 44,145 crore to the Home Department, focusing on smart policing, law and order, technology-driven initiatives like cyber security centres, forensic labs, modern cyber stations, UP-112 upgrades, and women safety measures. This substantial commitment, part of a record Rs 9,12,696 lakh crore total budget, reflects a clear recognition that robust policing underpins governance and progress. As the most populous state, UP’s move signals that investing in security can drive economic confidence and growth.

UP is highest in absolute terms of total allocation as well as in percentage of budget with approx. 5% for the Home department this year, Maharashtra was 4% last year and Tamil Nadu 3.4%. This year UP has increased 8% from last year allocation for police. A smart move to change the image of the state and transform the perception of people about the state. The safety of citizens and professional image of police appeals people and it is being understood by the rulers too. 

Policing is a state subject under the Indian Constitution, placing the primary responsibility on state governments to ensure law and order. While the Centre provides guidelines and support, states must lead with adequate funding and reforms. UP’s allocation demonstrates how proactive budgeting can address long-standing gaps. When citizens feel safe, they engage more freely in economic activities—starting businesses, pursuing education, and attracting investments. A secure environment reduces fear, boosts tourism, and fosters innovation, turning safety into an economic multiplier.

Despite such positive steps in some states, India’s overall policing scenario remains challenging. According to the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) data from recent years, the national police-to-population ratio hovers around 197 sanctioned personnel per lakh population, but the actual strength is lower, often cited at about 155-197 per lakh depending on the source and year. This falls short of the United Nations-recommended benchmark of around 222-350 per lakh in many global contexts. In terms of area coverage, the police-per-100-square-kilometer ratio is around 80 sanctioned, inadequate for India’s vast and diverse terrain. 

Regional disparities compound the issue. States like Bihar show ratios as low as one police personnel per 1,522 people, while others like Punjab fare better at around one per 504. Vacancies persist nationally, with many forces operating at 75-80% of sanctioned strength. These shortages lead to overburdened officers, delayed responses, and strained resources, particularly in rural and high-crime areas. As India becomes the world’s most populous nation and races toward a $5 trillion-plus economy, such deficiencies hinder effective governance. 

States must urgently reverse these trends with a upswing in key parameters—higher recruitment, better training, scientific investigative tools and all these are possible through increased budgets. UP’s focus offers hope, especially given its population of over 240 million. Enhanced policing can build public trust, reduce petty crime, and create a virtuous cycle of safety and prosperity.

Policing must also become truly apolitical. Historically, law enforcement has sometimes been misused for political ends or petty rivalries. Today, poor performance in law and order often backfires on ruling parties, as voters hold governments accountable through elections and social media. Misuse for misadventures now risks greater backlash than any short-term gains. All parties benefit from strong, impartial policing—it’s a shared state asset that protects everyone.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SMART policing provides a practical blueprint — Strict but Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Alert and Accountable, Reliable and Responsive, and Tech-savvy and Trained. This approach balances firmness on crime with empathy toward citizens. Implementing it requires investment in forensic labs for faster investigations, more vehicles and drones for mobility, body cameras and non-lethal equipment for transparency, and upgraded police stations with better accommodations to boost morale. 

Better career progression and service conditions are another critical area. Opportunities are often limited to higher echelons, leaving constabulary and cutting-edge level officers — the police’s backbone—deprived. Structured promotions, skill development, welfare measures, and inclusive planning can reduce burnout, curb corruption, and build a motivated workforce.

In essence, higher expenditure on policing is not an expense but an investment in India’s future. UP’s bold allocation of around Rs 44,145 crore for home and policing in its latest budget should inspires other states to follow. By addressing BPR&D-highlighted gaps, embracing apolitical reforms, and adopting SMART principles, states can create safer environments that fuel confident citizens and exuberant economies. A well-policed India will not only curb crime but also elevate our global standing, instilling national pride. It’s time for all states to act decisively—law and order is the foundation of a super power in the making. 

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