Police officers are individuals who are authorised to enforce the law and maintain public order through the appropriate use of force. They are also crucial in facilitating the operations of the judicial system and providing support for its functions. If you have a passion for upholding law and order and desire to contribute to the betterment of society, becoming a police officer may be fulfilling for you.
Familiarising yourself with the various police ranks can assist you in figuring out the best fit for your interests and skills. Jump into this article to get details about the different ranks and decide which one is the best for you.
Basic Structure of Indian Police Forces
Let’s begin this article by providing you with a basic idea about the police hierarchy.
1. Central Police Forces
The central government of India manages the CAPF. It is the Central Armed Police Force. The central government also looks after the police forces in the union territories of India. Some examples of the central police forces include the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF).
2. State Police Forces
Law and order remain a concern under the state governments of India. So, the state police departments report to their respective governments. Some examples of the state police forces in India include the Maharashtra Police and Uttar Pradesh Police.
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Hierarchy Of Police Ranks
Are you curious about the hierarchical order of the police officer ranks in India? Check it out below:
1. Director General Of Police
Salary: Rs 2,25,000 per month + allowances
Responsibilities: The highest post in police is the DGP. They provide guidance to the government on law enforcement administration. They establish regulations and commands in accordance with police acts, serving as the key figure in overseeing measures aimed at managing large-scale strikes, public gatherings, demonstrations, and political activities.
2. Additional Director General Of Police
Salary: Rs 2,05,400 + allowances
Responsibilities: Among all the Indian police service ranks, the ADGP can take over the DGP. in their absence. They provide guidance to the DGP on crime, management, law enforcement, and technical services within the department. The state government determines the ADGP’s duties according to established procedures. Additionally, they oversee all units within their jurisdiction.
3. Inspector General Of Police
Salary: Rs 1,44,200 + allowances
Responsibilities: The IGP operates in various divisions or departments and provides support to the DGP or ADGP. They aid the DGP and ADGP with administrative tasks related to the department units under their supervision. The IGP has the authority to exercise all financial and administrative powers assigned to the department head. It is one of the police ranks that conduct inspections of all units under their supervision as directed by the DGP.
4. Deputy Inspector General Of Police
Salary: Rs 1,31,100 + allowances
Responsibilities: The zone is overseen by the IGP, while the DIG is responsible for the range within the zone. The DIG and IGP are two police ranks with the same responsibilities. If the DIG is in charge of specialised units, they may support the DGP, ADGP, or IGP in areas falling within their jurisdiction.
5. Superintendent Of Police
Salary: Rs 78,700 + allowances
Responsibilities: The SP is in charge of managing all police operations in a district. They work closely with magistrates, officials, and community members. Their main duty is to gather information and ensure local security. The SP keeps a detailed diary of their daily activities and responsibilities, whether they are routine tasks or special assignments.
6. Additional Superintendent Of Police
Salary: Rs 67,700 + allowances
Responsibilities: The ASP supports the SP. In certain situations, the directives established by the Director General of Police with authorisation from the government outline the tasks, roles, and authority of the ASP. Typically, they operate under the supervision of the SP.
7. Deputy Superintendent Of Police
Salary: Rs 56,100 + allowances
Responsibilities: The DSP operates with guidance from the SP. Anyone working at the DSP police rank visits crime scenes and supervises investigations while providing instructions to inspectors and sub-inspectors for assistance. Keeping a detailed daily diary of their movements and duties is crucial for their role. Weekly reports are typically sent to the SP and the range DIG.
8. Inspector
Salary: Rs 44,900 + allowances
Responsibilities: Inspectors have a range of important duties, including investigating cases and supervising the operations of their stations. They are tasked with maintaining order within the police administration they oversee and keeping the higher police ranks informed about law and order issues and the status of their jurisdiction. Additionally, they conduct comprehensive inspections of the police stations in their area on an annual basis.
9. Sub-Inspector
Salary: Rs 35,400 + allowances
Responsibilities: The Station Inspector’s primary duties include crime prevention, maintaining peace, apprehending suspects, investigating criminal activities, and carrying out orders from their superiors. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of a police station and ensuring that it functions smoothly. Their role also involves maintaining order within the station and ensuring that it remains accessible to the public. Sub-inspectors delegate tasks to their subordinates and monitor their work performance. They hold the authority to file charge sheets in court, making them the lowest-ranking officials with this privilege.
10. Head Constable
Salary: Rs 25,500 + allowances
Responsibilities: Head constables are responsible for overseeing general operations at police stations, including serving as the station writer, overseeing outposts and guards, and supervising armed reserves. They collaborate with constables, providing support in interpreting instructions and carrying out assigned tasks from the SI. Head constables aid the team leader in investigations and evidence collection. In the absence of the SI, they assign tasks to police constables.
11. Police Constable
Salary: Rs 21,700 + allowances
Responsibilities: Police constables are often the first point of contact for the public and play a crucial role in protecting and serving the community. They are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crimes, and responding to emergency situations. Constables also provide assistance at public events such as gatherings, fairs, and protests. Their duties involve a wide range of tasks, including arresting offenders, helping those in need, and maintaining peace in the community.
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Organisational Structure of the Police Department
The Police Act of 1861 outlines the operations and organisation of the Indian police forces. This Act gives state governments the authority to form their own police force. In addition to that, various other laws, like the code of criminal procedure, govern the police ranks.
Every police officer in India belongs to either the general police force, the special armed force, or the paramilitary force. Apart from that, some other specialised police ranks are as follows:
- Traffic police
- Railway police
- Women police
- Intelligence police agencies
- Specialised investigative police agencies
- Border security police
- Specialised security agencies
- Armed reserves
Benefits of Indian Police Ranks in India
The Indian police ranks play a crucial role in maintaining law and order all over the nation. Here are some of the benefits associated with these ranks:
1. Efficient Functioning
The structured hierarchy of police positions ensures a well-coordinated chain of command. It supports effective decision-making and collaboration during law enforcement activities.
2. Specialisation and Expertise
Varied positions often represent different levels of knowledge and specialisation in specific areas such as investigation, traffic control, cybercrime, and more. This enables a diverse set of skills within the police force to effectively tackle a wide range of challenges.
3. Accountability and Responsibility
The different police department ranks come with distinct responsibilities and duties, promoting accountability among officers. Senior officers are tasked with supervising the performance of their subordinates and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
4. Career Progression Opportunities
The structured hierarchy of police ranks offers officers clear paths for progressing in their careers through promotions and additional training opportunities. This fosters professional growth and acknowledges commitment and skill.
5. Public Trust and Confidence
Clearly defined ranks contribute to the perception of professionalism and capability within the police force. It allows the public to trust and have confidence in law enforcement agencies
6. Handsome Salary Package
The different police ranks often come with competitive salary packages and perks, serving as incentives for attracting and retaining qualified personnel. This helps draw in talented individuals to join the force and motivates officers to excel in their duties.
7. After Retirement Benefits
Retired police officers receive various benefits, including pension plans, healthcare benefits, housing allowances, and other perks after retirement. These benefits ensure financial stability and a comfortable lifestyle for retired personnel, acknowledging their years of dedicated service to the community.
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How to Join the Indian Police
If you want to join the Indian police force, you can sit for the following examinations:
1. UPSC CSE Exam (for IPS)
The eligibility criteria for the UPSC exam to become an IPS officer is graduation. If you pass this exam, you also become eligible for other Group A services.
2. UPSC CAPF Exam
The UPSC conducts the CAPF examination to hire Assistant Commandants for paramilitary forces such as CRPF, BSF, ITBP, etc. Those who pass the exam become Assistant Commandants and can work in these forces.
3. SSC GD Exam
SSC holds the Constable (General Duty) exam for recruitment in various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), NIA, SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles. Successful candidates are appointed as constables.
4. SSC CPO Exam
SSC organises the Central Police Organization (CPO) exam to recruit Sub-Inspectors (SI) in Delhi Police, CAPFs, and Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASI) in CISF.
5. SSC MTS Exam
The SSC organises the Multi-Tasking Staff exam to hire individuals for different government departments. It can include positions that are non-gazetted and non-ministerial.
6. State Police Exams
Every state holds its own recruitment exams for various police ranks like Constable and Sub-Inspector. The requirements, selection procedures, and exam formats may vary from one state to another.
Challenges Faced by Indian Police Ranks
In India, all police ranks face certain challenges. Some of them are as follows:
1. Limited Resources
Police departments struggle with limited resources such as funding, equipment, technology, and staff. These constraints make it harder for them to prevent and solve crimes and respond to emergencies, which affects their ability to keep communities safe.
2. Political Interference
Mixing politics with police work can harm the independence and fairness of law enforcement. When politicians try to control the police, it can weaken the justice system and make people doubtful.
3. Staff Shortages
Numerous police departments in India are facing a lack of sufficient staff, resulting in a significant mismatch between the required and available personnel. This shortage of staff is putting a strain on current resources, leading to higher workloads and impacting the ability to deliver prompt services.
4. Public Perception
People’s negative opinions about the police, often due to reports of corruption, misbehaviour, or excessive force, make it harder for them to do their jobs effectively. To keep people safe, law enforcement and the community need to have trust in each other and work together.
The Bottom Line
In terms of hierarchy, the police ranks in India start with DGP and end with constable. In order to identify themselves and adhere to regulations, police officers in each state are issued distinct badges. These badges, along with their official uniforms, serve as symbols of their authority and rank.
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FAQs Hierarchy of Police Ranks in India
Q1. What is the highest and lowest ranks in the hierarchy of the police ranks?
A1. The highest rank is the Director General of Police (DGP), and the lowest rank is the Police Constable. There are nine other ranks in between these two.
Q2. How can I qualify for the Indian Police Force?
A2 You need to pass any of the central government exams like UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, SSC GD, SSC CPO, SSC MTS and State Police Exams.
Q3. What is the salary range for police ranks in India?
A3. The salary for each post is different from the other. However, it majorly ranges from approximately Rs 21,700 for a Police Constable to Rs 2,25,000 for a Director General of Police, plus allowances.
Q4. Where does the women police position fall under?
A4. Designations like women, railway, Traffic police, Railway police, Women police, Intelligence police agencies, Specialised investigative police agencies, Border security police, Specialised security agencies, Armed reserves fall under the specialised police ranks.
