INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH CULTURE SOCIETY

Abstract:    This paper critically examines the Indian police system by tracing its colonial foundations, structural limitations and contemporary challenges. Despite being one of the largest police forces globally in terms of personnel, India’s police remain under‑resourced relative to population size, resulting in inefficiency, pendency of cases and declining public trust. Political interference, inadequate modernization, weak training regimes and poor police–public relations further undermine effectiveness. The study positions Indian policing within a broader comparative framework highlighting how different models of law enforcement emphasize accountability, functional separation and community participation. In contrast, India’s system continues to rely heavily on executive discretion and outdated colonial frameworks, limiting democratization and weakening legitimacy. The paper concludes by proposing reforms aimed at amending outdated Police Acts, strengthening independent oversight bodies, investing in modernization and training, expanding community policing and enhancing coordination across levels of governance.