The Centre has approved a major restructuring of the Directorate of Enforcement, significantly expanding sanctioned strength across executive, legal, adjudication, systems, ministerial, security and support cadres in a move aimed at strengthening the agency’s operational and administrative capacity.
The decision was formalised through a sanction order issued by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue. According to the order, the expansion is intended to improve the Enforcement Directorate’s ability to handle a growing volume of financial crime and money laundering investigations, while also reducing delays in prosecutions and internal processes.
Major Expansion in Executive and Legal Cadres
The largest increases have been approved in the executive cadre. The number of Additional Directors of Enforcement has been raised from 10 to 24, while Joint Directors will increase from 28 to 49. The strength of Deputy Directors will go up from 148 to 267, and Assistant Directors from 255 to 531.
Enforcement Officers will rise from 355 to 606, and Assistant Enforcement Officers from 425 to 803. The posts of Director and Special Director remain unchanged at one and seven respectively.
The legal cadre will also see a substantial increase. Additional Directors for prosecution will rise from one to seven, Deputy Legal Advisers from seven to 18, and Assistant Legal Advisers from 18 to 36. Officials said this strengthening of the legal side is expected to improve the agency’s ability to pursue cases in court, file prosecution complaints more quickly and improve overall legal efficiency.
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Adjudication and Administrative Wings Also Expanded
The adjudication wing will be expanded through the creation of new posts. Additional Director positions in adjudication will increase from zero to two, Joint Directors from zero to three, Deputy Directors from zero to five and Assistant Directors from zero to 10, while the post of Special Director in adjudication remains at one.
In the systems cadre, the number of System Analysts remains unchanged at one, though the pay level has been revised. The strength of Scientific Technical Assistants also remains at 11, with an upgraded pay level.
The ministerial cadre has also been reworked. A new post of Internal Financial Advisor has been created with a strength of one. Assistant Directors for official language will increase from three to six, Superintendents from 20 to 30, and Assistants from 57 to 65. Other positions, including Senior Translator, Upper Division Clerk and Lower Division Clerk, remain unchanged.
Security and Support Staff Strengthened
The restructuring also covers security and support staff. In the security cadre, the number of Senior Sepoys will rise from 209 to 273, while Sepoys remain at 70. Among support staff, Senior Private Secretaries will increase from one to four, and Stenographer Grade I posts from 20 to 44. Other roles, including Private Secretaries, Stenographer Grade II, drivers and multi tasking staff, largely remain unchanged.
The order states that the expenditure involved will be met from the sanctioned budget grant of the Directorate of Enforcement in New Delhi and notes that the restructuring has been approved by the competent authority.
Officials said the sharp increase in officers, especially at the Deputy Director, Assistant Director and Enforcement Officer levels, will allow the agency to handle a larger number of cases simultaneously. They added that the creation of new posts in adjudication is expected to improve the handling of cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by enabling faster decisions on attachment of properties and penalties, while added ministerial and support staff should streamline documentation and coordination so that investigators can focus more closely on core case work.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
