New Delhi (September 3, 2026) – The Government of India appeared before a two‑judge bench of the Supreme Court and disclosed that it has commenced implementation of a ₹24,000‑crore umbrella programme, the ‘Police Modernisation Mission’, slated for the next five years. Additional Solicitor General Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare, representing the Centre, told Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the mission will enhance the internal security capacity of State Police forces and Central Armed Police Forces by leveraging advanced technology, especially CCTV surveillance.

The submission was made in a suo motu proceeding that the Court initiated in 2025 after noting a media report about non‑functional CCTV cameras at police stations in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The Court subsequently sought compliance reports from the Centre, the States and Union Territories while reviewing the implementation of its 2021 judgment in Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh, which mandated installation of CCTV cameras at key locations within police stations – entry‑exit points, lock‑ups, corridors, reception areas, and the rooms of inspectors and sub‑inspectors.

Thakare said the proposed scheme is awaiting financial approvals and that its specific components could not be disclosed at this stage. However, he assured that sufficient funds would be provided to install CCTV cameras across police stations nationwide. Senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, assisting the Court as amicus curiae, urged the bench to ensure continuity of funding under the existing Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP) scheme until the new scheme is operational. The Union Home Ministry currently channels funds to States and Union Territories for CCTV infrastructure under ASUMP.

The Supreme Court warned that existing funds should not lie dormant while the new scheme awaits approval. Justice Mehta asked, “Why let the ASUMP funds sit idle? Let them be used to modernise the existing system instead of waiting for the new scheme.” The Centre responded that the ASUMP scheme has been extended until September 30, 2026, and States and UTs have been asked to promptly submit proposals to utilise the extended funding.

Justice Nath, however, pointed out that the Centre’s affidavit did not clarify whether any balance funds under ASUMP would automatically roll over to the new mission. Thakare said he would seek clarification from the Centre and report back on the next hearing scheduled for September 21.

In a related grievance, Dave highlighted that Jharkhand had applied for ₹112.5 crore under ASUMP in July 2022 for CCTV installation, but its proposal was rejected. “Jharkhand has not installed a single CCTV camera since 2020,” he noted. The Centre said it had sought further details from the Jharkhand government and would raise the issue with the Court.

The 2020 directive from a three‑judge bench headed by Justice Rohinton F. Nariman had ordered CCTV and recording equipment in police stations as a safeguard against custodial torture. The order was later extended to the offices of central investigative agencies, including the National Investigation Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Directorate of Enforcement, Narcotics Control Bureau, Department of Revenue Intelligence, and Serious Fraud Investigation Office.

This expansive modernisation drive seeks to align India’s policing infrastructure with digital‑era expectations, promising greater transparency, accountability and public trust. Successful execution will hinge on timely fund disbursement, state‑level cooperation, and robust monitoring mechanisms.