What is CBI?
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is India’s premier investigating police agency responsible for investigating corruption, economic offenses, and serious crimes. It functions under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel.

Key Issues Faced by CBI:

1. Dependence on Deputation
   • Majority of CBI’s posts are filled through deputation from state police and other services.
   • This has led to shortages, delays in posting, and inconsistency in personnel quality and commitment.
   • Lack of nominations from lending departments has affected CBI’s functioning, particularly in the rank of inspector and below.
2. Lack of Permanent Cadre
   • The absence of a structured career progression plan and permanent cadre hampers institutional stability and long-term capacity building.
3. Dependence on State Consent
   • Under the current system, CBI requires general or specific consent from states to operate within their jurisdiction.
   • As of now, eight states have withdrawn general consent, limiting CBI’s powers to investigate corruption and national security threats.
4. Delay in Documents and Postings
   • The panel noted delays in deputation paperwork and lack of suitable officers nominated by states.

Key Recommendations by House Panel (145th Parliamentary Standing Committee):

1. Direct Recruitment Framework
   • Suggested recruiting directly through SSC, UPSC, or a dedicated CBI exam for entry-level positions.
   • Lateral entry of experts in cybercrime, forensics, financial fraud, and legal domains should be enabled.
2. Creation of Permanent Cadre
   • Establish a permanent cadre with a structured promotional track to ensure continuity, accountability, and professionalism.
3. Separate Law for National Security Offenses
   • Recommended a law to empower CBI to investigate national security and corruption cases without the need for general consent from states.
4. Internal Oversight Mechanism
   • Proposal for an in-house expert team to reduce reliance on outside agencies for crucial investigations.

Way Forward:

• Strengthen autonomy by legislating a comprehensive CBI Act.
• Reduce over-dependence on deputation and focus on a permanent recruitment pipeline.
• Balance federal concerns with national interests through a judicially tested legal framework.
• Ensure transparency, time-bound recruitment, and targeted training of CBI personnel.
• Encourage digital tools and inter-agency coordination to enhance investigative efficiency.

Conclusion:
A restructured and empowered CBI with direct recruitment, legal backing, and reduced reliance on states and deputation is essential for tackling modern crimes and maintaining public trust in high-stakes investigations.