Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the three All India Services constituted under Article 312 of the Indian Constitution, responsible for maintaining public safety, law and order, investigating crimes, and providing senior-level leadership to police forces at both the state and central levels.
The Indian Police Service is one of the most challenging jobs in India, and many youngsters feel inspired to join the Police Service to bring positive changes to society. The full form of IPS is Indian Police Service, and it plays an important role in maintaining law and order, protecting citizens and ensuring internal security across the country. IPS officers are the backbone of India’s police forces and work at the district, state, national and even international levels. Becoming an IPS officer is a dream for many youngsters who want to serve the nation with courage, integrity and leadership.
The eligibility criteria to become an IPS officer are getting a bachelor's degree from any recognised university, along with having Indian/Nepali/Bhutanese citizenship. They also need to meet physical standards such as appropriate height and eyesight for both male and female aspirants. Above all, they need to clear the UPSC Civil Service Examinations and opt for the Indian Police Service as their desired career path while filling out the DAF form. The basic salary of an IPS officer starts at ₹56,100 and increases with experience and promotions.
What is the Full Form of IPS?
The IPS stands for Indian Police Service. IPS is a Group 'A' civil service job, prestigious central government services responsible for maintaining public safety, law and order, providing senior-level leadership to police forces at both the state and central levels.
What is the Indian Police Service?
The Indian Police Service is a Group 'A' civil service belonging to both the central and state services. It is responsible for providing senior leadership to police forces. IPS officers work as leaders of the police force and manage internal security challenges in the regions they serve such as terrorism, communal violence and theft. The Indian Police Service is accountable for enforcing laws, investigating crimes and maintaining public order. As per the latest UPSC Notification, IPS officers are recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Exam and they serve as heads of police stations, districts and major agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Bureau and paramilitary forces. Indian Police Service officers ensure national security by tackling issues like smuggling, terrorism, financial fraud and border infiltration.
Eligibility Criteria to Become an IPS Officer
To become an IPS officer, aspirants must be Indian citizens, hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university and be between 21-32 years old. They must pass the UPSC Civil Services Exam and meet certain physical standards, such as minimum height and vision requirements. Let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria to become an IPS officer.
1. Nationality and Educational Qualification
Aspirants who want to appear for the UPSC exam and want to choose for the Indian Police Services need to be a citizen of India, Nepal & Bhutan and hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Aspirants in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally.
2. Age Limit
The UPSC age limit for general and EWS categories should be between 21 years and maximum 32 years old. Aspirants from the OBC category should be a maximum of 35 years old, and aspirants from the Scheduled Caste and Tribe categories should be a maximum of 37 years old.
3. Number of Attempts
There is a limited no of attempts in upsc exam, and aspirants can’t apply endlessly unless and until they belong from Scheduled Caste/Tribe. Aspirants from the general and EWS category are allowed 6 attempts, aspirants from the OBC and PwBD categories are allowed 9 attempts and aspirants from the Scheduled Tribe/Caste categories are allowed unlimited attempts.
4. Physical Standards
Aspirants who want to opt for the Indian Police Service after success in the UPSC exam have to meet certain physical standards. The minimum height requirement for IPS officers is 165 cm for men and 150 cm for women. However, male aspirants from ST, Nagaland, Gorkhas, Assamese and Kumaonis can have a height of 160 cm and females 145 cm. Minimum chest size should be 84 cm for men and 79 cm for women. Vision should be J1/J2, and distance vision should be 6/6 or 6/9. Spectacles & contact lenses are allowed, and surgeries like LASIK are permitted under certain conditions.
Roles and Responsibilities of IPS Officers
The IPS officers are responsible for maintaining public order and internal security. Crime prevention and investigation, along with collecting intelligence for solving crimes. They lead the police force and mentor subordinate officers. Let’s take a look at the roles and responsibilities of IPS officers in India.
1. Law and Order Management
IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order in the area they are serving. They manage riots, restore peace in the community, resolve protests and ensure safety in large-scale public events. Their work also involves traffic management.
2. Crime Prevention and Investigation
IPS officers oversee the registration of First Information Reports and lead investigations into serious crimes such as murder, fraud and smuggling. They formulate strategies to ensure justice and prevent crime through legal procedures.
3. Collecting Intelligence
IPS officers collect and analyse intelligence to prevent criminal activities and solve serious crimes. Also, Top IPS officers in India manage counter terrorism activities and ensure the safety of VIPs such as the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, celebrities and high-profile international guests.
4. Border and National Security
Senior IPS officers serve in specialized central agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation and Research and Analysis Wing. These departments oversee border and national security and prevent cross-border crimes.
5. Police Force Leadership
IPS officers are responsible for maintaining discipline and professional ethics within the police force and mentoring subordinate officers. Indian Police Service officers manage departments such as the Central Armed Police Force and National Security Guards, along with high-level investigation units.
Monthly Salary Structure of IPS Officers
As per the 7th Pay Commission, the starting salary of an IPS officer per month is ₹56,100. The IPS salary increases with experience, and they end up earning ₹2,25,000 per month with 30+ years of experience. Let’s take a look at the monthly salary structure of IPS officers.
|
Career Stage/ Grade
|
Designation
|
Pay Scale (7th CPC)
|
Basic Salary
|
Years of Experience
|
|
Junior Scale
|
Deputy Superintendent of Police
|
Level 10
|
₹56,100
|
0-4 years
|
|
Senior Time Scale
|
Additional Superintendent of Police
|
Level 11
|
₹67,700
|
4-9 years
|
|
Junior Administrative Grade
|
Superintendent of Police
|
Level 12
|
₹78,800
|
9-13 years
|
|
Selection Grade
|
Deputy Inspector General of Police
|
Level 13
|
₹1,31,100
|
13-16 years
|
|
Super Time Scale
|
Inspector General of Police
|
Level 14
|
₹1,44,200
|
16-25 years
|
|
Above Super Time Scale
|
Additional Director General
|
Level 15
|
₹1,82,200
|
25-30 years
|
|
Apex Scale
|
Director General of Police
|
Level 16
|
₹2,25,000
|
30+ years
|
Conclusion
The Indian Police Service is one of the most prestigious career paths in India and many youngsters look forward to joining the Police Service. In order to become an IPS officer, aspirants need to clear the UPSC Civil Service Exams and meet the eligibility criteria. They should be citizens of India, Nepal & Bhutan and hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. The number of attempts and age limit is decided by the UPSC and aspirants should check whether they are eligible to apply before starting preparation. IPS officers are responsible for enforcing laws, investigating crimes and maintaining public order. They ensure national security and prevent issues like smuggling, terrorism, financial fraud and border infiltration.