Centre Clears ED Manpower Expansion
The Centre has approved a major manpower expansion for the Enforcement Directorate as the agency deals with a rising number of money-laundering cases, raids, asset attachments and high-profile investigations across the country.
ED Manpower Expansion Approved
The government has authorised more than 1,200 additional investigators and staff members for the Enforcement Directorate. The restructuring covers executive, legal, adjudication, security and support roles, aimed at strengthening the agency’s operational and administrative capacity.
The expansion includes a sharp increase in key executive posts. The number of deputy directors will rise from 148 to 267, assistant directors from 254 to 531, enforcement officers from 355 to 606, and assistant enforcement officers from 425 to 803.
Money Laundering Cases Increase
Officials said the additional manpower is being approved at a time when the agency is facing a heavy caseload under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The expenditure for the new posts will be met from the ED’s sanctioned budget grant.
The agency has seen a significant rise in searches and raids in recent years. Searches conducted under the PMLA nearly doubled to 2,892 in 2025-26, while the ED also recorded its highest-ever provisional attachment of assets during the same period.
ED Capacity Boost Amid High-Profile Probes
The Enforcement Directorate has become one of India’s busiest central investigation agencies, handling cases linked to financial crimes, political figures, business groups and organised networks.
The manpower expansion is expected to improve investigation capacity, legal processing and administrative support. However, the agency’s growing role continues to draw political attention because several of its high-profile probes involve leaders from Opposition parties.
