Police Ranks in India: 7 Key Positions for Career Success

Origin of an Indian Police System

The police force of India has a rich history that dates back to the British colonial period. The concept of policing underwent a significant transformation during British rule, driven by the need to maintain law and order and influenced by British administrative practices. In this article, we will be discussing the police ranks in India.

Early British policing was basic, with zamindars (landlords) and neighborhood watchmen responsible for maintaining peace. As the British East India Company expanded, they recognized the need for a structured system of effective law enforcement, which later influenced the police ranks in India.

In 1861, the Indian Police Act was enacted, marking a major turning point for the British. This law officially established India’s modern police force and set the rules that still govern it today, including the police ranks in India. The act established several important provisions, including the following:

• Principles of impartiality
• Professionalism in policing
• Provided a hierarchical system for police levels
• Specified police tasks and responsibilities

During the British Colonial Regime, the Police ranks in India were extensively used to quell the opposition and control the local population by the colonial authorities. After India gained Independence, efforts were made to recast the function of police forces which is to protect the law and benefit the citizens.

Over the years, the Indian police force has undergone various modifications to modernize and become more professional. The National Police Commission (1977–1981) and the Malimath Committee (2000) recommended adjustments to improve police accountability, effectiveness, and public trust, influencing the structure of police ranks in India. To enhance public engagement and crime-fighting skills, new technology and community policing initiatives were introduced.

Problems like those involving political meddling, corruption, and poor training and development still exist. The police ranks in India are striving hard to align their functions with democratic principles and values.

Indian Police Rank with Salaries

Police Rank in India	Details on Police Rank	Recruitment Method
Constable	Constables in the police ranks in India are a crucial part of the police forces and play a vital role in maintaining law and order in society. Average monthly salary: Rs. 21498 to Rs. 23139. Responsibilities: 1. Enforce laws, regulations, and orders issued by the higher authorities. 2. Specific area patrolling to prevent criminal activities. 3. Regular checks and surveillance to maintain peace in the society. 4. Duties range widely and are all directed toward maintaining the security and safety of the general public	Direct Recruitment through the Police Recruitment Board
Head Constable	Head Constable in India holds a higher position when compared to the position of Constable. Average monthly salary of Rs. 37564 to Rs. 38765. Responsibilities: 1. Supervisory roles where they look after the work of constables and lower-ranking officers. 2. Manage emergency incidents within their assigned jurisdiction. 3. Building a positive relationship between the Police forces and the public. 4. Responsible for performing in many aspects of law enforcement and keeping public order.	Promotion
Assistant Sub-Inspector	In India, Assistant Sub-Inspectors are entrusted with greater responsibilities and authority. They are classified as non-Gazetted officers within the police ranks in India. Average monthly salary of Rs. 53592 – Rs. 54928 Responsibilities: 1. Supervise a full-fledged team of Head Constables and Constables. 2. Assist higher-ranking officials in crime investigations. 3. Conducts training and development programs for newly recruited Head Constables and Constables. 4. Serve as a communication medium between higher-ranking officials and other departments. 5. Integrating administrative and fieldwork duties.	Direct Recruitment through the Police Recruitment Board
Sub-Inspector	The Superintendent of Police (SP) is the chief of the police force in a district. They lead and work for the welfare of smaller districts, holding an important position within the police ranks in India. Monthly salary of Rs. 121090 – Rs. 124492. Responsibilities: 1. Collaborate and work directly with the administrative seniors at the range and state headquarters to fulfill their roles. 2. Under the DM’s guidance, they are responsible for maintaining law and order and managing crime in the district. 3. Investigate crime scenes, do effective patrolling, keeping subordinates under constant surveillance to control crime incidents in the district.	Promotion
Inspector	Inspectors of the Police ranks in India play a crucial role in enforcing laws, investigating the situations, and conducting regular supervision. Average monthly salary of Rs. 61322 to Rs. 62876 Responsibilities: 1. Manage the public in events, gatherings, and protests. 2. Contributes to strategic planning at the time of law enforcement activities. 3. Overseeing the administrative functions of the police station. 4. Supervise or lead special operations – stakeouts, raids, seizures, undercover operations, etc. 5. Maintain public safety, ensure justice, uphold the rule of law, etc. for the benefit of society.	Promotion
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy. SP)	The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) is an officer responsible for maintaining law and order in their assigned area. They oversee a group of police stations, playing a vital role within the police ranks in India. Monthly salary of Rs. 102481 – Rs. 105283. Responsibilities: 1. Create awareness about the various ways of preventing crime. 2. Analyze crime scenes and devise a plan accordingly to address the situation. 3. Mentorship in the training and development of junior officers. 4. Complete authority to arrest a person, seize property, and take required actions. 5. Carry out the orders passed by the Superintendent of Police and work to maintain law and order.	PPS recruited through the SPSC/IPS in the initial years
Additional Superintendent of Police	The Additional Superintendent of Police holds greater power and responsibilities than the DSP, contributing significantly to various aspects of law enforcement and investigation within the police ranks in India. Monthly salary: Rs. 109386 – Rs. 112411 Responsibilities: 1. Work towards the development and implementation of activities that prevent crime within their jurisdiction. 2. Prepare the reports and official documents of incidents. 3. Also appear in the court as witnesses for the crime scene they have been investigating. 4. Works at their best to ensure peace in their surrounding areas.	IPS/PPS through promotion
Superintendent of Police	The SP, or Superintendent of Police, is promoted to SSP, or Senior Superintendent of Police. They lead and work for the welfare of metropolitan and densely populated districts, holding an important position within the police ranks in India. The monthly salary paid to them is around Rs. 153441. Responsibilities: 1. Work to defend the law, fairly enforce it, and protect the people’s right to liberty, life, and property. 2. Reduce conflict and promote amity to build and sustain a sense of security within the community. Defending against acts of violence is their responsibility. 3. Should behave politely and decorously and develop, protect, and inspire the welfare of police officers.	IPS/PPS through promotion
Senior Superintendent of Police	DGPs are also known as the heads of the state or Union territories. The officer with this title is the highest police rank in India. The Cabinet of Indian Police Services appoints the DGP which is a three-star post. The monthly salary received is around Rs. 225000. Responsibilities: 1. Provide overall direction and leadership to the police forces in the entire state or Union territory. 2. Oversee the operating activities of the police forces and make strategic planning accordingly. 3. Oversee and examine how their department and disciplinary authorities are operating.	IPS through promotion
Deputy Inspector General of Police	DIG, or Deputy Inspector General holds the fourth highest position in the police department of India. It is considered one of the most prestigious roles within the police ranks in India. The DIG position is immediately below the Inspector General of Police in the Indian police hierarchy. Average salary of Rs. 158411 – Rs. 164437 per month. Responsibilities: 1. The operations performed in the police department are planned, audited, and reviewed by them. 2. Supervise the work done by the other police officials. 3. Assign the duties to the constables. 4. Works include maintaining peace, & preventing crime.	IPS through promotion
Inspector-General of Police (IGP)	IGP, or Inspector General of Police, is responsible for the overall administrative management of the Indian police forces, playing a key role within the police ranks in India. Monthly salary ranges between Rs. 171740 – Rs. 178368. Responsibilities: 1. To exercise the independent command over NPS or National Police Service. 2. Perform all the functions stated by the national legislation. 3. The IGP is a member of the National Security Council which is chaired by the President and directly reports to the President.	IPS through promotion
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)	ADGP is one of the renowned ranks in the Police ranks in India. Monthly salary is Rs. 205400 Responsibilities: 1. Manage the personnel, and handle transfers and promotions in the police forces. 2. Overseeing the administrative functions and training programs. 3. Collect the necessary resources and skills that are required to conduct investigations. 4. Entail a broad range of activities, including administration, law enforcement, training, and managing public relations.	IPS through promotion
Director-General of Police (DGP)	DGPs are also known as the heads of states or Union territories. The officer holding this title represents the highest police rank in India. The Cabinet of Indian Police Services appoints the DGP, which is a three-star position within the police ranks in India. The monthly salary received is around Rs. 225000. Responsibilities: 1. Provide overall direction and leadership to the police forces in the entire state or Union territory. 2. Oversee the operating activities of the police forces and make strategic planning accordingly. 3. Oversee and examine how their department and disciplinary authorities are operating.	IPS through promotion

Insignia of Police Ranks in India

Benefits of Indian Police Ranks in India

Indian Police Ranks offers a wider scope for both freshers and experienced professionals. Nearly all the positions offered by the Indian Police Ranks are the most preferred jobs among young individuals. The increase in the number of applicants every year which is currently more than lakhs has increased the toughness of the examination. Check out the most preferred reasons of the candidates for opting for police ranks in India.

• Government position – Clearing any exam for joining the Indian police department will land you in a government position. Working under the government gives individuals a sense of recognition. This is the foremost reason candidates sit for the police force examination.
• Handsome salary package – The one thing that has the undivided attention of the candidates is the blossom salary package. The candidates get the perfect pay for the role they perform. Many essentials are made free for them to enjoy being in the position.
• Perks and other allowances – The employees working in this department apart from the lucrative monthly salary also get the perks and allowances announced by the government. Various perks and allowances include accommodation facilities, free electricity or phone call facilities, travel allowances, paid leaves, and many more.
• After retirement benefits – The most highlighted factor of this department is that the benefits are not restricted to the working tenure of the employee. The employee also gets an advantage to enjoy the after-retirement benefits in the form of pension and provident funds.
• Career growth – The department has a wide scope of career growth in the employee. There are pre-stated promotions after the employee completes a fixed tenure.
• Secured Job – Working in a government position gives a sense of security and stability. The employee can work without having the extra pressure of getting fired from the job like in other private jobs.

Candidates willing to join such renowned roles must qualify for entrance exams.

How to Join the Indian Police

In India, the police force is divided into central and state government units, which define the categories for police exams. Candidates can choose suitable paths from various options available for joining the police force based on their skills and career goals, including the different police ranks in India.

To pursue the positions they are interested in, candidates must qualify for the entrance tests related to those roles. Below are the entrance tests conducted annually to join the police forces in India.

UPSC CSE Exam (for IPS)

UPSC CSE or Civil Services Examination is also termed the Indian Police Services Examination. It is a national-level exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

• A graduate from a recognized University can apply.
• The application fee for the exam is INR 100 for the General category, EWS, and OBC candidates.
• The exam is conducted in three stages – Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.

Students willing to enroll for the exam can do so from the official website of UPSC.

UPSC CAPF Exam

UPSC CAPF or Central Armed Police Force is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. It is a national-level exam that receives online applications.

• A graduate from a recognized University can apply.
• The application fee for the exam is INR 200 for the General category, unreserved, and OBC candidates.
• The exam has three selection stages – written test, physical test, and interview.

Students willing to go to the armed forces can apply from the official website of UPSC.

SSC GD Exam

The Staff Selection Commission General Duty (SSC GD) exam is conducted by the SSC. This national-level exam is held to gather applications for filling vacant positions in the BSF, CAPF, CRPF, CISF, and other roles, including various police ranks in India.

• 10^th passed candidate can apply
• The application fee for the exam is INR 100 for General category candidates.
• The exam is conducted in three stages – computer-based examination, PET/PST, Medical exam

Students willing to appear for the exam can apply online for the exam at the official website of SSC.

SSC CPO Exam

Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organization is conducted by the SSC to recruit candidates for the position of SI in CAPFs and Delhi forces.

• A graduate from a recognized University can apply.
• The application fee for the exam is INR 100 for all category candidates.
• The candidates have to clear two papers – Paper I, and Paper II to qualify for the exam.

Aspirants can apply for the exam online from the official website of SSC.

SSC MTS Exam

Staff Selection Commission Multi-Tasking Staff is a national-level exam conducted by SSC to recruit candidates for General Central Service Group C positions.

• 10^th– passed candidate can apply.
• The application fee for the exam is INR 100 for General category candidates.
• The candidates have to clear Paper I and PET/PST to qualify for the exam.

Candidates willing to take the exam can apply online on the official website of SSC.

State Police Exams

State-level exams for joining police forces are typically conducted by the respective state governments to recruit candidates for various vacant positions, including different police ranks in India. The educational requirements and selection processes vary for each state.

The commonly known state exams are UPPSC, RPSC RAS, MPPSC, etc. Students willing to apply for any of these exams can apply at the official website of the particular state.

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