Indian Police Service (IPS)
About the Service
The Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the three All India Services, alongside the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). It serves as the backbone of law enforcement and internal security in India.
The IPS was constituted in 1948, replacing the Imperial Police Service established by the British in 1861. The IPS continues the legacy of maintaining law and order, crime control, and ensuring the security of the nation while upholding constitutional values.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the cadre controlling authority for the IPS, responsible for appointments, training, cadre allocation, and career management.
IPS officers serve in State Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Intelligence Agencies, and Specialized National Institutions such as the CBI, IB, NIA, and RAW, among others.
Recruitment and Entry
Entry into the IPS is through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The selection process involves three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: Objective type screening test.
- Main Examination: Written descriptive papers.
- Personality Test (Interview): Final stage assessing suitability for public service.
Candidates who qualify based on merit and preference are allotted to the IPS among other All India and Central Services.
Roles and Responsibilities
The IPS plays a crucial role in maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crimes, managing traffic, countering terrorism and extremism, and protecting VIPs and vital installations.
- Enforcement of law and order in states and union territories.
- Commanding and supervising police forces and intelligence units.
- Leading Central Police Organizations (like CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB).
- Managing intelligence, internal security, and counter-terrorism operations.
- Advising the government on law enforcement and security policies.
- Ensuring ethical policing, transparency, and protection of citizens’ rights.
Career Hierarchy and Designations
The IPS structure is hierarchical, offering a progression from field duties to policy-making roles at both state and central levels.
- Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP): Entry-level position after training; assists district SP.
- Superintendent of Police (SP): In charge of district police administration, law & order, and crime control.
- Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP): Heads police operations in large districts or cities.
- Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG): Supervises multiple districts or a police range.
- Inspector General of Police (IG): Heads a zone or specialized division.
- Additional Director General of Police (ADGP): Manages major police wings or state-level departments.
- Director General of Police (DGP): Highest rank in the state police, responsible for overall state law enforcement.
Central-Level Posts
- Director / Special Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Director General, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)
- Director General, National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Director, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA)
Promotional Grades and Pay Levels
| Grade | Typical Experience | Designation / Responsibility | Pay Scale (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Time Scale | Entry | Assistant Superintendent of Police | ₹56,100 / month |
| Senior Time Scale | 4 years | Additional SP / Deputy Commandant (CAPF) | ₹67,700 – ₹1,18,500 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | 9 years | Superintendent of Police / Commandant | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 |
| Selection Grade | 13 years | Senior SP / DIG | ₹1,18,500 – ₹2,14,100 |
| Super Time Scale | 16 years | Inspector General of Police (IGP) | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 |
| Above Super Time Scale (HAG) | 25+ years | Additional DGP | ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400 |
| Apex Scale | 30+ years | Director General of Police (DGP) / DG (CAPFs) | ₹2,25,000 (fixed) |
Allowances: IPS officers receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), Medical and Risk Allowances. These are revised as per the Central Pay Commission recommendations.
Training of Newly Recruited IPS Officers
All newly recruited IPS officers undergo rigorous professional training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad.
- Foundation Course (at LBSNAA, Mussoorie): Common three-month program covering administrative ethics, governance, law, and national integration.
- Basic Course (SVPNPA): Comprehensive physical, tactical, and academic training in law, criminology, weapons, policing techniques, and leadership.
- District Practical Training: On-the-ground training in a district under a senior police officer, focusing on real-life policing and field management.
- Phase-II Training: Consolidation of field experience with advanced modules on intelligence, counter-insurgency, and cybercrime.
Cadre Allocation Policy
As an All India Service, IPS officers are recruited centrally but assigned to State Cadres based on merit, preference, and availability. Cadre strength is periodically reviewed as per the law and order requirements and population size of states. Officers can be deputed to Central Police Organizations, Intelligence Agencies, or International Missions. The Cadre Allocation Policy ensures a balance between state requirements and officers’ aspirations. Promotions follow a time-bound and performance-linked career advancement framework.
Significance of the Indian Police Service
The IPS is pivotal in safeguarding national security, maintaining peace, and upholding the rule of law. Officers of this elite service form the core leadership of India’s police and intelligence institutions — protecting the nation against crime, extremism, and threats to internal stability. Through dedication, courage, and integrity, the IPS continues to serve as the guardian of public order and justice in a diverse and democratic India.
No comments:
Post a Comment