For the first time in its history, Kerala Police’s mounted wing will directly recruit professionally trained horsemen through the Public Service Commission (PSC), moving away from the previous practice of deputation. The PSC published a rank list on June 4 for 14 vacancies, with 19 candidates shortlisted, including two ex-servicemen granted age relaxation due to their horse-riding experience. Selected recruits will undergo nine months of training at the police academy before joining the mounted unit, which operates under the Thiruvananthapuram city police and primarily handles night patrols, parades, and ceremonies.

The recruitment notification, issued in September 2023, required candidates to have at least one year of horse-riding experience from recognized government or sports bodies. The new appointments come with a pay scale ranging from Rs 31,100 to Rs 66,800, marking a significant step in professionalizing Kerala’s lone mounted police unit, a colonial-era legacy.