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.