Police Ranks in India: Detailed Guide on 13 Insignias & Pay

Origin of an Indian Police System

The Police force of India has a rich history that takes us back to the British colonial period. The concept of Policing went through a significant transformation when the British were ruling India, this was followed by the need for maintaining law and order and the British administrative practices. We will be discussing the Police Ranks in India within this article.

Early British policing was crude, and it was the responsibility of zamindars (landlords) and neighborhood watchmen to maintain the peace. When British East India Companies started growing, they felt the requirement for a structured mechanism of effective law enforcement.

In 1861, the Indian Police Act was enacted which was a major turning point for the Britishers. The law officially established India’s contemporary police force and laid down the rules for the modern police force that continues till its existence date. The following things were established through the act:

• 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.

Throughout these years Indian police force has undergone various modifications to modernize and be more professional. National Police Commission (1977–1981) and the Malimath Committee (2000) advised some adjustments to improve police accountability, and effectiveness, and gain public trust. To enhance public engagement and crime-fighting skills, new technology and community policing initiatives were taken.

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 Police ranks in India are a crucial part of 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 assigned to greater responsibilities and authorities. They are a non-Gazetted officer. 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	Sub-inspectors in the Indian Police ranks are the non-Gazetted officers. The position held by them has an increased set of responsibilities. Average monthly salary of Rs. 60379 to Rs. 61907. Responsibilities: 1. Lead and investigate the criminal cases. 2. Ensure proper handling of evidence and preservation of confidential documents. 3. Taking statements from the witnesses and making them court-ready. 4. Decisions must be justified and account to public safety. 5. Maintain a balance between the various responsibilities assigned to them.	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 who is responsible for maintaining law and order in their assigned area. They are held in charge of a group of Police stations. 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 power and responsibilities that are higher than the DSP. They also add value to the various aspects of law enforcement and investigation in the police forces. 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	Superintendent of Police or SP is the chief of the Police force of the district. They head and work for the benefit of smaller districts. 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.	IPS/PPS through promotion
Senior Superintendent of Police	The SP of police force becomes SSP or Senior Superintendent of Police after promotion. They head and work for the benefit of metropolitan and highly populated districts. 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 through promotion
Deputy Inspector General of Police	DIG holds the fourth highest position in the police department of India. Deputy Inspector General or DIG is considered one of the most prestigious roles in Indian Police ranks. DIG is the position immediately beneath the Inspector General of Police in the Indian police. 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. 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 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. 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 entrance exams.

How to Join the Indian Police

In India, the police force is divided into central and state government units, which determines the categories for police exams. Depending on the candidate’s skills and professional goals, they can choose appropriate paths from among the many possibilities available for joining the police force.

They need to qualify the admission tests for the positions they want to pursue. Check out the below mentioned entrance tests that are conducted once in a year to join Police forces in India.

UPSC CSE Exam (for IPS)

UPSC CSE or Civil Services Examination is also termed as 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 of the exam is INR 100 for General category, EWS and OBC candidates.
• The exam is conducted in three stages – Prelims, 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 Union Public Service Commission. It is a national level exam which receives online application.

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

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

SSC GD Exam

Staff Selection Commission General Duty or SSC GD exam is conducted by SSC. This national level exam is conducted to receive applications to fill the vacant position in BSF, CAPF, CRPF, CISF, etc.

• 10^th passed candidate can apply
• The application fee of 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 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 of the exam is INR 100 for all category candidates.
• The candidates have to clear two papers – Paper I, Paper II to qualify 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 the exam.

Candidates willing to give the exam can apply online in the official website of SSC.

State Police Exams

State-level exams for the admission in Police Forces are usually conducted by their respective State Governments to recruit candidates for various vacant positions. The educational requirements and selection process are different for every 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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