Parliamentary Panel recommends key reforms for CBI, including lateral entry for specialists

CBI

Flagging the shortage of candidates for deputation in the CBI, a Parliamentary panel Thursday recommended lateral entry for specialists, while also suggesting a new law be enacted to allow the agency to probe without states' consent cases affecting national security and integrity.

It also recommended the development of an independent recruitment framework by allowing direct recruitment for core ranks like Deputy Superintendents of Police (Dy SPs), Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors through Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), or a dedicated CBI exam.

The panel said a separate/new law granting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) wider investigative powers without the consent of states for cases affecting national security and integrity may be enacted by taking views from state governments.

These recommendations were made by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its 145th report, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, on the Demands for Grants (2025-26) pertaining to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

The committee, headed by BJP Rajya Sabha member Brij Lal, said the shortage of suitable nominations for deputation with the CBI is a matter of serious concern as it is affecting the agency's operational efficiency.

The primary reasons include manpower shortages in lending departments, reluctance of state police forces, procedural delays in documentation, and inadequate identification of skilled personnel, it said, adding that these issues lead to unfilled vacancies, affecting the CBI's investigative capabilities.

The lack of incentives for lending departments further discourages officers from opting for deputation, the report said.

"Administrative bottlenecks in processing nominations delay appointments, impacting critical cases. Addressing these challenges requires institutional reforms, streamlined processes, and better incentives to attract and retain skilled personnel," it said.

To reduce reliance on deputation, the Committee recommended that CBI develop an independent recruitment framework by allowing direct recruitment for core ranks like Dy SPs, Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors through SSC, UPSC, or a dedicated CBI exam, the report said.

"It should also introduce lateral entry for specialists in cybercrime, forensics, financial fraud, and legal domains," it said.

The CBI should strive to establish a permanent cadre with structured career progression, this in turn will help the CBI in ensuring long-term stability, the panel said.

An in-house expertise team should be constituted which will make it less reliable on outside experts, it said.

"Deputation may be retained only for select senior positions requiring diverse experience, but streamlining recruitment procedure and reforms will help CBI in enhancing operational efficiency and investigative capabilities," the report said. The Committee said that eight states have withdrawn general consent for CBI investigations, severely limiting its ability to investigate corruption and organised crime.