October 7, 2026, (Inside AI) — India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has mandated that Indian Police Service (IPS) officers complete annual courses on emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and generative AI tools, with performance on the iGOT Karmayogi platform now directly linked to their annual performance appraisal reports (APARs). The directive, communicated to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, follows a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order aimed at ensuring continuous, role-specific capacity building for All India Services officers.
The iGOT Karmayogi platform, a digital learning portal for civil servants, will host 24 courses selected by the MHA, which serves as the cadre controlling authority for the IPS. These courses are divided into four categories based on years of service, with six courses per bracket. In each bracket, the first three are mandatory, tied to APARs, and must be completed before officers can access a comprehensive assessment for the financial year 2026-27.
For officers with up to nine years of service (2018 batch onwards), the mandatory courses include an introduction to emerging technologies, search and seizure procedures under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and cybersecurity fundamentals for leaders. These are offered by the Wadhwani Foundation, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, and the National E-Governance Division of MeitY, respectively. The remaining three courses cover personal finance, feedback as a leadership tool, and handling of mobile devices at crime scenes.
Officers with above nine and up to 16 years of service (2011 to 2017 batches) must take an introduction to emerging technologies, an overview of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita as it replaces the CrPC, and a foundational module on the interoperable criminal justice system. Additional courses include managing and leading teams, noting and drafting, and mastering feedback.
For those with above 16 and up to 25 years of service (2001 to 2010 batches), the mandatory courses are an introduction to emerging technologies, evidence-based policymaking, and cybersecurity fundamentals. They must also complete courses on the art of storytelling, ChatGPT and generative AI tools for government officials, and change management in digital transformation projects.
The seniormost category, comprising officers from the 2000 batch and all prior batches with 25 years or more of service, will take courses that overlap substantially with the preceding group, with the addition of a module on integrative wellness from Rashtriya Raksha University.
This move places India among a growing number of governments mandating AI literacy for public officials. The United States has implemented similar training for federal employees through the AI Training Act, while the European Union requires AI competency for staff involved in AI procurement under its AI Act. India's approach, however, is distinctive in its direct link to performance appraisals, a mechanism that could accelerate adoption but also raise concerns about workload and relevance.
"Linking training to APARs is a double-edged sword," said a senior IPS officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It ensures compliance, but it also risks turning learning into a checkbox exercise. The real test will be whether these courses translate into better policing on the ground."
The inclusion of ChatGPT and generative AI tools in the curriculum for senior officers reflects the growing recognition of AI's potential in policing, from predictive analytics to automated report writing. However, it also raises questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the readiness of India's police forces to adopt such technologies responsibly. The MHA has not yet detailed how it will evaluate the effectiveness of these courses or whether they will be updated as AI evolves.
For now, the focus is on implementation. Officers will have to complete the mandatory courses within the financial year, and failure to do so could impact their career progression. The iGOT platform, which has over 2 million registered users, will need to scale its infrastructure to accommodate the additional load. The MHA has not specified a deadline for completion, but sources indicate that the assessment window will open only after all mandatory courses are finished.
As India's police forces grapple with emerging threats from cybercrime and AI-driven disinformation, the success of this initiative could set a precedent for other government departments. The MHA's decision underscores a broader shift: in an era of rapid technological change, continuous learning is no longer optional for those tasked with maintaining public safety.
