Section 147 Delhi Police Act: Power to Make Rules
Section 147 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 authorises the Administrator to frame rules to implement the Act. It identifies important subjects including police recruitment, service conditions, disciplinary procedure, special police officers and administrative documentation.
Section 147: Full statutory text
(1) The Administrator may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
- recruitment to, and the pay, allowance and all other conditions of service of the members of, the Delhi police under clause (b) of section 5;
- the manner of publication, under sub-section (2) of section 17, by the Commissioner of Police, of the names of special police officers appointed under that section;
- awarding of any of the punishments referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 21 to any police officer of subordinate rank;
- procedure for awarding punishments under section 22;
- form of Discharge Certificate under sub-section (8) of section 25;
- determination of the cost of employing additional police under sub-section (2) of section 38;
- manner of taking measurements and photographs under section 55 of a person against whom an order has been made under section 46, section 47 or section 48;
- manner of constituting Defence Societies under sub-section (1) of section 58;
- form of receipt to be given in respect of any article detained under section 62;
- the authority to whose satisfaction claims are to be established under sub-section (2) of section 69 and the form and manner in which claims may be made under that sub-section, the procedure for dealing with such claims and all other matters connected therewith under sub-section (3) of that section;
- payment to any police officer or division among two or more police officers the whole or any portion of any reward, forfeiture or penalty, under the proviso to section 132;
- any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed, or provided for by rules, under this Act.
The text above follows the statutory wording reproduced in the original page. For authoritative consolidated legislation and amendments, consult India Code.
Meaning of Section 147(1): General rule-making power
Sub-section (1) permits the Administrator to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Delhi Police Act. In this context, the Administrator is the authority designated under the Act and applicable constitutional framework for the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The identity and competence of the rule-making authority must be assessed under the law applicable when a rule is issued.
A rule is a form of subordinate or delegated legislation: it provides operational detail within the authority granted by the parent Act. A rule cannot lawfully exceed the scope of its enabling legislation or override superior law.
Section 147(2): Matters for which rules may be made
The twelve subjects in clauses (a) to (l) are illustrative of the broader power in sub-section (1), without restricting that general power. They include:
Recruitment and police service conditions - clause (a)
Rules may regulate recruitment, pay, allowances and other service conditions of Delhi Police personnel under Section 5(b). The eligibility criteria and service entitlements in any individual case depend on the applicable rules and valid amendments.
Special police officers - clause (b)
Rules may prescribe how the Commissioner of Police publishes the names of special police officers appointed under Section 17(2).
Discipline and punishments - clauses (c) and (d)
Rules may address the awarding of punishments under Section 21(1) or 21(2) to subordinate-rank police officers and the procedure for awarding punishments under Section 22. The relevant disciplinary rules and procedural safeguards must be read alongside the Act.
Discharge certificates and additional police - clauses (e) and (f)
Rules may specify the discharge certificate form under Section 25(8) and the method of calculating the cost of additional police deployed under Section 38(2).
Measurements, photographs and Defence Societies - clauses (g) and (h)
Clause (g) refers to procedures under Section 55 involving persons subject to orders under Sections 46, 47 or 48. Any present-day collection or processing of identifying information must also comply with other applicable laws. Clause (h) addresses the constitution of Defence Societies under Section 58(1).
Receipts, claims and rewards - clauses (i), (j) and (k)
Rules may prescribe receipts for articles detained under Section 62, claims and their determination under Section 69, and payment or distribution of rewards, forfeitures or penalties under the proviso to Section 132.
Other prescribed matters - clause (l)
This residual provision covers other matters which the Act requires or permits to be prescribed or provided for by rules.
Legal effect, publication and judicial scrutiny
Section 147 provides authority to make rules; it should be read with Section 148, which addresses notification of rules and regulations in the Official Gazette and their laying before the prescribed legislative body. Whether a particular rule is operative depends on its text, commencement, amendments and applicable publication requirements.
Rules made under a statute remain subject to judicial scrutiny, including whether they are within the powers conferred by the Act and consistent with constitutional requirements. Section 145 separately provides a statutory process in relation to certain rules and orders made by the Administrator; its scope and conditions must be examined before relying on that remedy.
Practical example
If a Delhi Police employee wishes to determine the procedure for a disciplinary penalty, Section 147 explains the legal source of rule-making power, while the operative disciplinary rules provide the detailed procedure. A person should examine the version of those rules in force on the relevant date rather than assume Section 147 itself supplies every step.
Related sections and official resources
- Section 145 - challenge to certain rules or orders.
- Section 146 - powers under other Acts.
- Section 148 - Gazette notification and legislative laying.
- India Code - central repository of Indian legislation.
- Delhi Police - official department website and published information.
- e-Gazette of India - official gazette publications.
Frequently asked questions
Who can make rules under Section 147?
Section 147(1) confers the power on the Administrator, subject to the applicable legal framework.
Does Section 147 itself prescribe Delhi Police recruitment qualifications?
No. It authorises rules on recruitment and service conditions; the detailed criteria must be checked in the relevant rules and notifications.
Are the matters listed in Section 147(2) exhaustive?
No. The introductory words state that the listed matters are without prejudice to the general rule-making power under sub-section (1).
Where can I check whether a rule has been notified?
Consult the relevant Official Gazette notification, applicable amendments and the provisions of Section 148.
Updated: 20 October 2026. This page provides general legal information. Check the latest Gazette notifications and current rules before relying on a particular requirement.