Maharashtra is currently grappling with a severe shortage of Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs), with vacancies soaring to 2,586 positions across the State. This shortage has created a major challenge for Maharashtra Police Department in day-to-day affairs for effective policing. In Nagpur revenue division, both the City and the Nagpur Rural police, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Wardha, Gadchiroli, Gondia, and Gadchiroli districts, along with Government Railway Police (GRP) Nagpur and the Special Action Group (SAG), are contending with a substantial shortage of 207 PSIs. Similarly, in Amravati City and Amravati Range, which includes Amravati Rural, Akola, Buldhana, Yavatmal, and Washim districts, there is a pressing shortage of 150 PSIs. The Kokan-1 revenue division, covering Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts, reports the lowest number of vacancies but still faces a deficit of 71 PSIs. Nashik revenue division, covering Nashik City, Nashik Rural, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Dhule and Nandurbar, are currently grappling with 98 vacant PSI positions. In Aurangabad City and Aurangabad Range, encompassing Aurangabad Rural, Beed, Nanded, Latur, Hingoli, and GRP Aurangabad, the shortage stands at 116 PSIs.

 

Pune city and Pune Range, which includes Pune Rural, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Solapur Rural, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and GRP, are facing a scarcity of 199 PSIs. However, the most critical situation is observed in the Kokan-2 revenue division, with a staggering 1,745 vacant PSI positions. This area covers Mumbai city, Thane City, Navi Mumbai, Raigarh, GRP  Mumbai, Force One, Cyber Mumbai, Mumbai Prison, and other critical units. A retired police official said that PSIs play an important role in investigations. “PSIs are instrumental in handling multidimensional roles and focusing on crucial cases. The absence of such a significant number of these positions could leave local police station officers with limited options during investigations,” he said.