History

The Modernization Division (erstwhile Development Division) was set up in 1970. The Division was augmented in 2009 with creation of additional technical posts i.e. Principal Scientific Officers, Senior Scientific Officers and Senior Scientific Assistants in the field of Ballistics & Explosives, Weapons, Uniform & Accoutrements, Life Sciences, Building & Design, Electronics and Traffic & Transport.

National Cyber Crime Research and innovation Centre (NCR&IC), one of the 7 verticals of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), worked since August 2019 to March 2024 under the Modernisation Division to address the cyber security and cybercrime related issues faced by LEAs.

Recently a new vertical - Land, Sea Border Management and Coastal Security under Modernisation Division was introduced on 2nd December, 2021.

Mandate of Modernization Division

Modernization Division is responsible for actionable development of products/technologies for police application and ensures effective implementation/ introduction of the modern technology/ equipment in the Police Forces. Identification of emerging technologies and initiation of work on new technologies is the core mandate of Modernization Division so that the Police Forces can be equipped with the best and are capable of resisting any threat whether in the jungle, streets or in the lab.

The Modernization Division of BPR&D actively engages in Scientific research, development, trial and testing of innovative products and technologies for use by Police Forces and aid and advises Police Forces in their modernization efforts by making the latest research, development, innovations, technology, products available to Police Forces.

The Division undertakes liaison with the national laboratories, scientific organizations and institutions and public and private sector undertakings in the relevant fields of policing, coordinates modernization programmes and stimulates indigenous production of Police equipment and system.

The Modernization Division is expected to keep abreast with application of science and technology to police work in other countries, study new procedures and methodologies with a view to promoting introduction of suitable equipment and techniques in police work in India to improve its operational efficiency. Besides advising the Government of India, the Modernization Division, if required by the State Governments, also advises them on matters falling within the field of its operations.

The newly created vertical of Land, Sea Border Management and Coastal Security is mandated to promote Best Practices in Land/Sea border management/Coastal security including capacity building with a thrust on emerging technologies. 

The Modernization Division is headed by Director, an officer of the rank of the Inspector General of Police and supervises the following wings:

(i) Traffic and Transport Wing

(ii) Uniform & Accoutrements Wing

(iii) Weapon Wing

(iv) Electronics Wing

(v) Building and Design Wing

(vi) Life Sciences Wing

(vii) Ballistics & Explosive Wing

(viii) Land, Sea Border Management and Coastal Security