New Delhi , August 5, 2026 : The Central Government on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has submitted a proposal to the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance seeking in-principle approval for an umbrella scheme aimed at the modernisation of police forces across India.
Appearing before a Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, Additional Solicitor General Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare stated that the proposal was forwarded on July 8, 2026, and is currently under consideration by the Finance Ministry.
The submission came during the hearing of a batch of petitions, including a suo motu case initiated by the Supreme Court over the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations across the country.
The Centre also informed the apex court that the existing funding scheme for the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations has been extended until March 31, 2027, ensuring continuity in surveillance and monitoring initiatives while the broader modernisation proposal is being processed.
Taking note of the development, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to place the proposed umbrella scheme on record. The Bench granted the government two weeks to file additional documents and scheduled the next hearing for September 1, 2026.
Earlier, on July 22, the Supreme Court observed that the implementation of CCTV installations had taken a positive turn, with substantial progress reported by Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae.
The court has consistently monitored two major aspects of the project—timely installation of CCTV systems and the maintenance of the cameras already installed.
During earlier hearings, the amicus curiae informed the Bench that most states were moving in the right direction, with significant progress made in equipping police stations with surveillance systems.
The funding pattern for the project was also highlighted before the court. The Centre provides 100% funding for Union Territories, 90% for hilly states, and 60% for other states, with the remaining 40% contributed by the respective state governments.
The matter traces back to a 2018 Supreme Court directive mandating CCTV cameras in all police stations to curb human rights violations and improve transparency in policing.
In December 2020, the apex court expanded the order by directing the installation of CCTV cameras and recording systems in the offices of central investigating agencies, including the CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The court had also laid down detailed specifications, directing that cameras be installed at all entry and exit points, main gates, lock-ups, corridors, reception areas, and outside lock-up rooms, ensuring no section of a police station remains uncovered.
Additionally, the CCTV systems must feature night vision, audio-video recording, and storage capacity of at least one year, enabling effective monitoring and preservation of evidence.
The proposed nationwide police modernisation scheme is expected to strengthen policing infrastructure, improve accountability, and enhance public trust through advanced surveillance and technological upgrades.
