A parliamentary standing committee has raised concerns over significant staff shortages in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and recommended the creation of a reserve panel or waitlist to fill vacant positions more efficiently. The panel suggested that the government institutionalise such a system in consultation with recruiting agencies to ensure vacancies are filled quickly without initiating a fresh recruitment process each time.
According to the committee’s 160th report, the CBI currently has 6,212 personnel against a sanctioned strength of 7,300, leaving a shortfall of 1,088 posts — nearly 14.9%. Although the vacancy rate has improved from 20.57% in 2024, the panel described the current level as a serious concern for a premier investigative agency.
The report highlighted that vacancies often occur because some candidates recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) eventually do not join the organisation. This leads to avoidable delays in filling posts and affects the agency’s operational efficiency.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) informed the panel that another major reason for the shortage is the limited number of suitable nominations from state police forces, which traditionally supply officers to the CBI through deputation, particularly at the ranks of Inspector and Superintendent of Police. Delays in documentation from lending departments and the lack of eligible officers for promotion have also contributed to the vacancies.
The committee also noted that 77 out of 500 posts in the sub-inspector cadre remained vacant as of December 31, 2025. Since sub-inspectors form the backbone of investigative work and serve as the feeder grade for supervisory roles, the panel expressed concern about the high attrition rate in this category.
To address the issue, the committee recommended a detailed root cause analysis to examine factors such as workload, career progression, transfers, working conditions, training, and mobility between organisations. It urged the government to introduce corrective measures aimed at improving retention and boosting morale within the agency.