Home Minister Amit Shah advises new IPS officers to stay away from publicity, earn recognition through performance

From cybercriminals hiding behind virtual private networks (VPNs) and cryptocurrency transactions to drug syndicates, deepfake videos and terrorism, the challenges awaiting India’s newest Indian Police Service (IPS) officers extend far beyond conventional law enforcement. These emerging threats dominated the passing-out parade of the 78th Regular Recruit batch at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad on Saturday (October 17, 2026).

A total of 151 officer trainees, including 37 women, completed their training, marking the culmination of their time at the academy before taking up policing responsibilities. The batch comprised 135 Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers and 16 officers from Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.

Addressing the gathering, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan identified five major challenges confronting the next generation of police officers, with particular emphasis on the growing sophistication of cybercrime, organised narcotics networks and technology-driven threats to internal security.

In a message to the young officers, read out by Mr. Mohan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that their authority was a responsibility rather than a symbol of status. He advised them to stay away from publicity and instead earn recognition through their performance, while upholding humility, restraint and commitment to the Constitution.

Mr. Shah also reiterated the need for zero tolerance towards terrorism, stronger border security through surveillance technology and effective implementation of the new criminal justice laws, supported by forensic science and modern investigative methods.

Cyber fraud and deepfakes

Highlighting the changing nature of financial crime, Mr. Mohan drew attention to the widespread use of mule bank accounts and SIM cards obtained using false identities to facilitate cyber fraud.

He urged officers to strengthen State-level mechanisms to identify such networks, trace financial transactions and disrupt the movement of proceeds generated through online scams. The Home Secretary also flagged the increasing use of the darknet, cryptocurrency and VPNs by criminals attempting to conceal their identities and evade detection.

Beyond financial crimes, he cautioned that fake messages and AI-generated deepfake videos circulating on social media could create unnecessary tension and pose serious challenges to maintaining public order. He called for proactive policing to identify such threats before they escalate, alongside greater integration of artificial intelligence and advanced technology into investigations.

Mr. Mohan also stressed the need to dismantle narcotics supply networks as part of the Centre’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ initiative and maintain continuous vigilance against terrorist threats originating within the country or inspired by foreign organisations. He further emphasised identifying foreign nationals residing illegally in India, particularly those involved in criminal activities, and initiating appropriate legal action.

Engineers, graduates and working professionals among probationers

The academy’s official batch profile offers a glimpse into the backgrounds of the officers entering the service. Among the 135 IPS probationers, engineering graduates accounted for the largest share, with 76 officers, or 56 %, holding engineering qualifications.

The batch also reflected a mix of fresh graduates and professionals who had already worked before joining the service. According to the academy, 76 IPS probationers, accounting for 56%, had previous work experience, while 59 had no prior professional experience.

In terms of age, 74 probationers were between 25 and 28 years, 52 were above 28, and nine were below 25. Women accounted for 34 of the 135 IPS probationers. The 16 foreign officer trainees included five from Nepal, six from Bhutan and five from the Maldives.

The academy’s programme also outlined the next stages of training, with the District Practical Training phase scheduled from November 23, 2026, to June 12, 2027, followed by the second phase of the basic course from June 21 to August 20, 2027.

Mr. Mohan, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest, reviewed the parade and presented awards to officers for their performance during training. Among those recognised was IPS probationer Kuhoo Garg, who received the IPS Association Sword of Honour.