Hyderabad, October 17, 2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah advised young IPS officers to remain away from publicity, treat authority as a responsibility rather than a status, and focus on delivering results as they confront emerging internal security challenges. His message was read out by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan at the Dikshant Parade (passing-out parade) of the 78th Regular Recruit (RR) batch at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad.
The ceremony marked the completion of Phase-I training for 151 officer trainees. This included 135 Indian IPS probationers (among them 37 women) and 16 foreign officer trainees from Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. The batch had joined SVPNPA on December 8, 2025, after a 15-week foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, and completed 45 weeks of Phase-I training. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, a 1989-batch IAS officer, served as the chief guest, reviewed the parade, and addressed the probationers. He also presented awards, including the IPS Association Sword of Honour to Kuhoo Garg (Gujarat cadre), recognised as the best outdoor probationer.
In the message from the Home Minister, Shah emphasised that the real identity of a police officer is built on conduct, impartiality, dutifulness, and the confidence of the people, rather than post or popularity. “Young officers should stay away from publicity and focus on results. They should let their work become their identity,” the message stated. He underlined that humility, restraint, and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution constitute the true strengths of a police officer. Shah called for a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, prioritising national security, and highlighted the role of technology and surveillance under the Centre’s Smart Border Initiative. He also stressed the implementation of the spirit of the new criminal justice laws at the grassroots level and the strengthening of investigations through modern technology and forensic science.
Home Secretary Govind Mohan told the graduating officers that India’s conventional internal security landscape has changed irrevocably. Militant Naxalism has largely ended, and insurgency in the Northeast has been reduced to minuscule levels—what remains in certain parts is largely ethnic conflict rather than classical insurgency. Most erstwhile insurgent groups have joined the mainstream through ceasefire and tripartite agreements. Homegrown terrorism has largely ended, and foreign-inspired terrorism is no longer visible except in limited areas, though recent incidents such as the Red Fort blast indicate that residual risks persist.
He urged the probationers to prepare for new thematic challenges, particularly narcotics, cybercrime, and illegal immigration. On the technology front, officers will face social media issues including fake messages, deepfake videos, and altered realities that can trigger unnecessary mobilisation and law-and-order problems. Cybercrime has become accessible to low-skilled actors through the proliferation of mule bank accounts and fake SIM cards; while central institutions address higher-end threats, the primary battles will be fought in the states and Union Territories. Mohan also highlighted anonymous crimes such as hit jobs advertised on the dark net and threat calls routed through VPNs from foreign locations.
On narcotics, Mohan reiterated the goal of a Nasha-Mukt Bharat (drug-free India), noting that the Home Minister has publicly set a target to free the country of narcotics abuse within the next three years, aligned with the Nasha Mukt Bharat 2029 roadmap. He stressed effective action against drug trafficking networks, technology-based investigation, better coordination, and public awareness. Regarding illegal immigration, he said that while India upholds the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, primary rights over the country’s resources belong to its citizens, and illegal foreigners involved in crime, radicalisation, or market distortion must be identified and acted against as per law.
The Home Secretary emphasised that young officers must develop creative, lawful solutions to these evolving challenges and leverage technology, including artificial intelligence networks of young IPS officers, to modernise policing. After the parade, the probationers are scheduled to proceed to Delhi for attachments with central police organisations and armed forces, followed by district practical training in their cadres.
The event underscored the shift in India’s internal security priorities—from traditional geographical threats such as Left-wing extremism and Northeast insurgency toward technology-driven, thematic, and transnational challenges—while placing responsibility on the new generation of IPS leadership to maintain professionalism, constitutional fidelity, and results-oriented service without seeking publicity.
