After about 14 years, the Tamil Nadu government has restored the entry and reservation of women into the Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP or ‘Armed Police’ or ‘battalion police’), and the single-entry system for the recruitment of police constables after 17 years.
The decision is expected to offer women training and exposure while serving in Armed Police battalions. A G.O. issued by the Home Department earlier this month said: “Reservation of women shall be followed in Tamil Nadu Special Police.”
The single-entry system will also help avoid seniority issues, and ensure uniformity among the new recruits. After joining the Armed Police battalions, they will be shifted to district armed reserve after a few years, and later to taluk police stations.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had in May announced that the single-entry system would be restored for the recruitment of police constables.
Pointing to the bar in recruiting women into the T.N. Special Police, he said a single-entry system would enable the entry of women into each of the TSP battalions.
Earlier, one of the total 15 TSP battalions — V battalion stationed in Vaishnavi Nagar near Avadi — was exclusively for women. Some battalions had one/some of their companies exclusively for women. However, in 2011, orders were issued to recruit women to SI and constable ranks only in taluk/armed reserve categories, and not in TSP.
Since 1990, on recruitment, police constables who joined the Armed Police battalions were later shifted to district armed reserve, and then to taluk police stations. However, in 2008, it was decided to conduct separate recruitments to the TSP and districts/cities armed reserve.
The absence of a single-entry system led to situations wherein candidates recruited in earlier years continued to serve in Armed Police battalions, while those who were recruited later got promoted to taluk police stations.
Officers and personnel of the TSP are deployed in various parts in and outside the State for major law and order duties, including election duties.
While the 8th battalion has been deployed in Delhi to man the Tihar jail, the 13th battalion was re-designated as the Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force.
As on January 1 this year, the total sanctioned executive strength of T.N. police was 1,33,961 officers and personnel. Of this, 26,589 were women personnel. Going by the recruitment for the post of SI for taluks and armed reserve in April this year, 30% of the vacancies have been reserved for women candidates.
Published – August 25, 2025 12:37 am IST
