https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/ed-gets-major-manpower-boost-action-against-economic-offences-set-to-become-faster-and-more-aggressive-ws-l-19914778.htm

The Centre has approved a major restructuring of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), significantly increasing manpower across key cadres in a move aimed at making action against economic offences faster and more aggressive.

The Ministry of Finance’s Department of Revenue issued Sanction Order No. 2/2026 on May 27, 2026, approving the restructuring of various cadres in the federal anti-money laundering agency, according to a News18 report.

The restructuring covers executive, legal, adjudication, systems, ministerial, security and support staff cadres, and is expected to substantially strengthen the ED’s operational and administrative capacity.

Under the revised structure, the number of Additional Directors of Enforcement has been increased from 10 to 24, while Joint Director posts will rise from 28 to 49. Deputy Director posts have been increased sharply from 148 to 267, and Assistant Director posts from 255 to 531.

The number of Enforcement Officers will increase from 355 to 606, while Assistant Enforcement Officer posts will rise from 425 to 803. The posts of Director and Special Director remain unchanged at one and seven respectively.

The legal and adjudication wings have also seen major expansion as the government looks to strengthen prosecution and case disposal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

In the legal cadre, Additional Director (Prosecution) posts have been increased from one to seven. Deputy Legal Adviser posts will rise from seven to 18, while Assistant Legal Adviser posts will increase from 18 to 36.

The adjudication wing will also see new positions being created. Additional Director (Adjudication) posts will increase from zero to two, Joint Director posts from zero to three, Deputy Director posts from zero to five, and Assistant Director posts from zero to 10. The post of Special Director (Adjudication) remains unchanged at one.

In the systems cadre, the number of System Analysts remains unchanged at one, though the pay scale has been revised. Scientific Technical Assistant posts remain at 11 with upgraded pay levels.

Under the ministerial cadre, one post of Internal Financial Advisor has been created. Assistant Director (Official Language) posts will rise from three to six, while Superintendent posts will increase from 20 to 30. The number of Assistants has also been increased from 57 to 65.

The security cadre will see Senior Sepoy posts rise from 209 to 273, while Sepoy posts remain unchanged at 70.

Among support staff, Senior Private Secretary posts have been increased from one to four, while Stenographer Grade-I posts will rise from 20 to 44. Other posts, including drivers and multi-tasking staff, largely remain unchanged.

The sharp increase in manpower, especially at the Deputy Director, Assistant Director and Enforcement Officer levels, will allow the ED to handle a much larger number of money laundering and financial crime investigations simultaneously.

The expansion is expected to reduce delays in investigations and prosecutions, enabling quicker filing of prosecution complaints and faster progress in high-profile economic offence cases.

Officials added that the strengthening of the legal and adjudication wings will improve court proceedings, attachment of properties, and disposal of cases under the PMLA framework.