SVPNPA Fellowship
Objectives
Worldwide the trend in police development is tilted in favour of research based policing leading to respond to the challenges faced in the field. Among other things it entails an organic connect of the people with the policing and facilitates applying the best practices even from other walks of life on to the policing domain. Research would aim to identify the bottlenecks and snags that are bound to surface while enforcing order and applying legal and investigative processes, and suggest remedial response. The development of such an expertise to support police personnel across the country in regard to their day to day field level functions and strategies would be an apt role for the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Police Academy. Thus, the research based knowledge shall form the basis for development of trained and skilled police manpower in the country.
The mission statement of NPA, inter alia, states:
The Academy will be a focal point for training of trainers of police training institutions all over the country, and will provide consultancy services to sister training institutions for improving their management of training function. The Academy will be a centre for research studies and will encourage and support research on police subjects. It will expand its capacity for conduct of research through tie-ups with similar institutions in and outside the country.
Gore Committee on Police Training (1971) stressed the need for research facility in Police Training Institutions in the following words:
“We have been struck by the total absence of any research facilities in our police training institutions. The inevitable result has been that all police training is based on old ideas and practices and the limited experiences of individual members of the instructional staff even while conditions relating to and around police work have been changing fast. In order that the police training institutions remain intellectually vibrant and upto date in their knowledge of police problems, research should be considered to be one of their basic functions”.
For more than 4 decades after the Gore Committee’s recommendations, the establishing of a research facility even in the National Police Academy remains a dream. The Academy with the vision of being global centre of excellence in police training cannot afford to diverse training from research and consultancy functions. Strong research base provides updated knowledge and functional models of change. Research in training domains facilities effective planning, delivery and evaluation of training efforts. The knowledge and the models of change if communicated to the trainees will bring out functional effectiveness in Police. Through research projects in SVP NPA, it is proposed to establish organic linkages between training at NPA and field needs.
2. Eligibility
The following categories of applicants shall be eligible for consideration :
2.1 Eligible Police Officers
For the purpose of these Rules, “Eligible Police Officers” shall include the following categories :
2.1.1 Serving Police Officers
Police officers having a minimum of seven years of service (including at least 3 years field experience).
2.1.2 Retired Police Officers
Police officers who have retired from service in the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) or above.
2.2 SVPNPA Faculty / Ex-faculty
Faculty/ Ex-faculty members of SVPNPA must meet the same criteria as Clause 2.1
2.3 Academicians
Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, Professors, or equivalent-level academicians from recognized institutions in disciplines relevant to policing, criminal justice, public administration, sociology, psychology, criminology, forensic science, information technology, law, management, education, or allied fields, possessing research experience.
2.4 Expert Practitioners/Trainers
Subject matter experts or trainers possessing substantial professional experience and qualification in the relevant field.
3. Research Team Structure
Research projects shall be undertaken through collaborative teams comprising not more than three members. The team shall have one anchor member and may be constituted in any of the following compositions:
a) Team 1 : Up to two Eligible Police Officers (Serving/Retired) may collaborate with one Seasoned Academician, SVPNPA Faculty Member/Ex-Faculty Member, or Expert Practitioner/Trainer.
b) Team 2 : One SVPNPA Faculty Member/Ex-Faculty Member may collaborate with up to two Eligible Police Officers (Serving/Retired), or one Seasoned Academician, or Expert Practitioner/Trainer.
c) Team 3 : One Seasoned Academician may collaborate with up to two Eligible Police Officers (Serving/Retired) or SVPNPA Faculty Member(s)/Ex-Faculty Member(s).
d) Team 4 : One Expert Practitioner/Trainer may collaborate with up to two Eligible Police Officers (Serving/Retired) or SVPNPA Faculty Member(s)/Ex-Faculty Member(s).
4. Selection and Approval Process
4.1 SOP
Applications shall be submitted as per the prevailing Standard Operating Procedure of the Research Cell.
4.2 Selection Committee
Applications shall be scrutinized and evaluated by a Selection Committee :
4.2.1 Internal members:
- Director.
- Joint Director / Dy. Director.
- Dy. Director (Research) / Astt. Director (Research)
4.2.2 External members:
- DG/Director (Research), BPR&D.
- Seasoned Police Officer (Serving/Retired).
- Eminent Professor from University or Training Institution.
4.3 Presentation of Proposal
Applicants shall present their research proposal before the Selection Committee, which may assess its relevance, feasibility, methodology, expected outcomes, and utility for policing.
4.4 Approval of Proposal
The Selection Committee may approve, modify, defer, or reject any proposal. Approved applicants must amend proposals in coordination with an SVPNPA nominated Coordinator based on committee feedback.
5. Duration of Fellowship
5.1 Regular Duration
The Fellowship shall ordinarily be for a period not exceeding one year.
5.2 Extension
The Director, SVPNPA may grant an extension where circumstances demand, subject to satisfactory progress and justification by the Research Team.
6. Fellowship Grant
6.1 Grant Amount
The Fellowship Grant shall be determined by the Director, SVPNPA on a case-to-case basis.
6.2 Suspension of Grant
The Director, SVPNPA may suspend or withhold the Fellowship Grant if the progress of the research is found unsatisfactory.
6.3 Audit Requirement
The Research Team must submit all expenditure details to the Academy for audit purpose.
7. Research Procedure and Facilities
7.1 Use of Academy Facilities
Research Fellows may utilize the facilities of SVPNPA, including the Library, academic resources, and guest house facilities, subject to availability and applicable rules.
7.2 Final Presentation
Upon completion of the project, the Research Team shall make a presentation before SVPNPA, highlighting:
a) Major findings;
b) Policy and operational implications;
c) Training implications; and
d) Recommendations for implementation.
8. Submission of Research Report
8.1 Submission
The Research Team shall submit both hard and soft copies of the final research report to SVPNPA.
8.2 Acceptance
The Fellowship shall be deemed completed only upon submission and acceptance of the final report by SVPNPA.
8.3 Academic Registration
Research Fellows may register their work with recognized Universities or Institutions for award of Doctoral or equivalent research degrees, subject to the regulations of the concerned institution. However, prior permission to be obtained from SVPNPA and intellectual property rights (IPR) shall remain exclusively with SVPNPA.
9. Compliance and Legal Rights
9.1 Copyright
The copyright and all associated intellectual property rights in respect of the research report and outputs produced under the Fellowship shall exclusively remain with SVPNPA.
9.2 Acknowledgement
Any publication arising from the Fellowship shall acknowledge the support of SVPNPA and shall require prior approval of the Academy wherever applicable.
9.3 Penalties
Any violation of these rules will entail a refund of the fellowship grant as decided by the Competent Authority on case-to-case basis.
9.4 Dispute Resolution
The decision of the Director, SVPNPA shall be final in all matters relating to the Fellowship.
10. Indicative Research Areas
Research proposals may be invited in, but shall not be limited to, the following areas:
10.1 Police Data and Evidence-Based Policing
Data collection, analysis and management; crime measurement; database creation and maintenance; evidence-based policing; artificial intelligence and machine learning applications; predictive policing; crime analytics; big data; police performance assessment; crime mapping; and data-driven decision-making.
10.2 Terrorism, Extremism and Insurgency
Terrorism, radicalization, violent extremism, left-wing extremism, insurgency, counter-terrorism strategies, intelligence gathering, de-radicalization initiatives, institutional memory, best practices, and case studies.
10.3 Disaster Management and Crisis Response
Disaster preparedness, pandemic management, emergency response, first responder systems, rescue operations, disaster communication, critical infrastructure protection, climate-related disasters, resilience planning, and lessons learnt from major incidents.
10.4 Crime and Criminal Investigation
Investigation of conventional and emerging crimes; organized crime; economic offences; cybercrime; crimes against women, children, senior citizens and vulnerable groups; victim-centric policing; POCSO implementation; missing persons; narcotics and drug trafficking; prosecution support; conviction analysis; forensic-led investigation; and criminal justice reforms.
10.5 Police Training and Capacity Building
Training methodologies; adult learning principles; training needs assessment; simulation-based learning; e-learning; virtual and augmented reality applications; leadership development; training evaluation; competency-based training; and capacity-building frameworks.
10.6 Law and Public Order
Crowd management; riot control; election security; public order management; protest policing; conflict prevention; non-lethal technologies; standard operating procedures; public safety planning; best practices in law and order management, and Urban Policing.
10.7 Technology and Innovation in Policing
Emerging technologies in policing; artificial intelligence; blockchain; cryptocurrency investigations; drones and unmanned systems; facial recognition technologies; Internet of Things (IoT); smart policing; automation; communication systems; digital governance; deepfake detection; and technology-enabled policing solutions.
10.8 Intelligence and Security Studies
Intelligence collection and analysis; open-source intelligence (OSINT); financial intelligence; social media intelligence; intelligence-led policing; strategic intelligence; preventive policing; emerging threats; and national security challenges.
10.9 Cybercrime, Social Media and Digital Ecosystems
Cyber fraud; ransomware; dark web investigations; digital evidence; cyber forensics; online radicalization; misinformation and disinformation; social media monitoring; cyber-enabled financial crimes; online child sexual exploitation; and cybersecurity challenges.
10.10 Police Tactics and Operational Preparedness
Operational tactics; crisis intervention; counter-terror response; officer safety; use of force; non-lethal tactics; active shooter response; trauma care; tactical training; security infrastructure; operational readiness; armed policing and battalions.
10.11 Forensic Science and Forensic Technologies
Crime scene management; digital and mobile forensics; DNA analysis; forensic photography; CCTV and video analytics; forensic databases; forensic intelligence; 3D crime scene reconstruction; drone-assisted crime scene documentation; and emerging forensic technologies.
10.12 Laws and Criminal Justice System
Implementation of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA); criminal justice reforms; judicial processes; evidence law; procedural innovations; fast-track justice mechanisms; restorative justice; and legal policy studies.
10.13 Police Management and Organizational Development
Police leadership; human resource management; police welfare; occupational health; mental health and resilience; gender-responsive policing; manpower planning; infrastructure management; police modernization; digitization; performance management; organizational reforms; and community-oriented policing.
10.14 Conflict Resolution and Community Engagement
Alternative dispute resolution; mediation; community policing; police-public partnerships; trust-building measures; social cohesion; local conflict management; vulnerable communities; and citizen participation in crime prevention.
10.15 Border Management and Internal Security
Border security; coastal security; smuggling and trafficking; illegal migration; border area development; surveillance technologies; drones; tunnel detection; thermal imaging; satellite-based monitoring; and integrated border management systems.
10.16 Research based on historical police records, photographs, memoirs, etc.
For evidence-based policy formulation; institutional learning and continuity; enhance public understanding of policing from historical police records and files; police gazettes and journals; training manuals and instructional material; photographs and audio-visual records; maps, charts an operational records, personal papers of distinguished officers, diaries, memoirs and correspondence; and police medal, insignia and memorabilia.
10.17 Emerging Areas of Policing
Research on any emerging issue relevant to policing, internal security, public safety, criminal justice administration, governance, or law enforcement, including areas not specifically covered under the above themes.
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(Revised as on July 2026)
Application Form