Tamil Nadu Has India’s Largest Women Police Force: Udhayanidhi Stalin

By A Staff Reporter

Tamil Nadu is setting a national benchmark in integrating women into key leadership roles in the police force, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced on Thursday. Addressing the valedictory session of the 11th National Conference of Women in Police 2025 held in Chennai, Stalin highlighted that the state now has the largest women police force in India, with 43 per cent of law and order police stations headed by women Station House Officers (SHOs).

This marks a significant milestone in the state’s decades-long commitment to gender inclusion and empowerment within law enforcement. Hosting the national conference for the first time, Tamil Nadu took the opportunity to showcase its progressive model, which includes not only recruitment at all levels but also focused training and career development pathways for women in uniform.

Stalin also emphasized the role of the state’s “Nava Ratna” scheme, which aims to enhance women's welfare, ensure work-life balance, and create a supportive environment for women officers to excel. “We have created an ecosystem that supports women to lead, not just participate,” he said.