Which state has the highest number of female constables, and what is that figure?

In Bihar, IPS officer Preeta Verma has been assigned the additional charge of Director General of Police (DGP) during the absence of DGP Vinay Kumar. She holds this additional charge from September 15, 2026, to October 5, 2026.

Female representation in the Bihar Police is once again a topic of discussion. IPS officer Preeta Verma (1991 batch) has been given the additional charge of Bihar DGP while Vinay Kumar is away; this arrangement lasts from September 15, 2026, to October 5, 2026. The government made this decision after Vinay Kumar applied for extended leave. This additional responsibility will conclude upon his return. Preeta Verma currently serves as the DG of Home Guards and Fire Services in Bihar. Her appointment has reignited the conversation regarding the share of female police personnel across states. Let us look at which state has the highest number of female constables and what those figures are.

This state has the highest number of female police personnel

Approximately 30,000 female police personnel are employed in Bihar. According to data on police personnel across states and Union Territories compiled by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (as of January 1, 2020), women constitute 25.30% of the Bihar Police force—the highest proportion among all states. Bihar is followed by Himachal Pradesh (19.15%) and Chandigarh (18.78%). However, separate data released in the Lok Sabha indicates that Uttar Pradesh has the highest absolute number of female police personnel in the country. Experts suggest that the high number in Uttar Pradesh may be attributed to the state’s large population. Meanwhile, reservation policies have played a crucial role in increasing women’s participation in the Bihar Police; Nitish Kumar implemented a 35% reservation for women in the police force in 2013. Subsequently, a significant shift was observed in the number of female personnel within the police force.

Status of Women in Police Forces Nationwide

According to the India Justice Report 2025, there are approximately 2.4 lakh women in police forces across the country. Of these, only 960 hold the rank of IPS officer, while 24,322 serve in non-IPS officer roles. Around 2.17 lakh women serve at the constable level. The report indicates that approximately 90 percent of women working in the police force belong to the constabulary. It also reveals that no state or union territory in the country has met its set targets regarding women’s representation in the police. However, women’s help desks are now available in about 78 percent of police stations.

Preeta Verma Awarded the President’s Police Medal

Meanwhile, Preeta Verma, the acting DGP of Bihar, is a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre. She possesses over three decades of experience in police service. She was awarded the Police Medal in 2009 and was subsequently selected for the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2023. Throughout her career, Preeta Verma has held several senior police positions. In the 2023 IPS Civil List, she was listed as holding the rank of Director General (DG) in Bihar. In 2026, she was entrusted with the responsibility of DG (Home Guards and Fire Services), and she has now been assigned the additional charge of State Police Chief during the leave of DGP Vinay Kumar.