Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, declared that strengthening the state's Police Department is the government's highest priority, calling law and order the bedrock of development. Speaking at the Police Commemoration Parade on Police Martyrs' Day at Goshamahal Stadium, Hyderabad, he announced steps to fill 5,000 additional vacancies and pledged that all existing vacancies will be filled by 2028.

Compensation hike for martyrs' families

Chief Minister Reddy announced a sweeping revision of ex gratia payments for police personnel killed in the line of duty. For constables, the compensation rises from ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore. Head Constables and Assistant Sub-Inspectors will receive ₹1 crore, up from ₹45 lakh.

Sub-Inspectors (previously ₹45 lakh) and Inspectors (previously ₹50 lakh) will now both receive ₹1.25 crore. Officers at the DSP and Additional SP ranks will receive ₹1.5 crore, while Superintendents of Police (SP) and IPS officers will see compensation rise from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore. Additionally, Reddy directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to double ex gratia for Home Guards killed on duty — from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

'This is not merely financial assistance; it is a gesture of respect from the government towards the families of police martyrs,' Reddy said.

Recruitment, inclusion and modernisation

The Chief Minister described the recruitment of 112 DSP posts as unprecedented in Telangana's history. He also noted that the state is appointing transgender individuals as traffic assistants, framing the move as an effort to enhance dignity and social inclusion. A 'Young India Police School' has been established to provide educational support to the children of police personnel across all ranks — from Home Guards to the DGP level.

Emphasising that crime is evolving alongside technology, Reddy called for modernising policing while retaining a human-centric approach. 'Regardless of how advanced technology becomes, the human-centric approach of the police force must remain unchanged,' he said.

Women's safety, drugs and food adulteration

Reddy voiced concern over the spread of drugs and cannabis (ganja) among youth and commended the DGP and the 'Eagle Force' for their anti-drug efforts. He noted that the government created 'TG-SAFE' to crack down on food adulteration with an 'iron-fisted approach.'

On women's safety, the CM said the 'SHE Teams' initiative is being reinforced. In March, the government launched the 'Stand With Her' initiative to build social responsibility in supporting women. In April, the 'Spandana' programme — a network of Immediate Protection Teams — was launched to provide rapid response for women and children during emergencies. Reddy called for greater sensitivity in handling such cases, insisting there should be 'no delay in delivering justice to victims.'

Key officials present

Director General of Police C.V. Anand and senior police officials attended the ceremony. The event served as both a commemoration of fallen officers and a platform for the government to outline its policing agenda for the coming years.

With vacancies targeted for closure by 2028 and compensation structures overhauled, the state's police welfare framework is set for its most significant revision since Telangana's formation.