IPS Officer Salary Per Month, Grade Pay, Allowances, Promotion & Perks

In India, the police force works actively, day and night, to solve crimes and keep localities safe. Many young people in India aspire to join the Indian Police Service not only because of the thrilling work opportunities but also for the respect and privileges that come with the job. In fact, many IPS officers have been awarded the highest gallantry awards, such as the Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra, for impeccable work in solving complex crimes. One great example is Mr Ajit Doval, who is the current National Security Advisor of India, but started as an IPS officer.

An IPS officer salary in India begins with a basic pay of ₹56,100 per month at entry-level positions (like DSP), then increases up to ₹2,25,000 per month depending on seniority, rank and promotions. Apart from the salary, IPS officers get unique perks like official vehicles, government accommodation, security staff and opportunities to serve the nation at a high level. Promotions of IPS officers are structured and totally dependent on vacancies; one can easily rise to higher positions with hard work and loyalty. Let’s know about an IPS officer salary per month, grade pay, allowances, promotion & perks.

What is Indian Police Service?

The Indian Police Service (IPS) is a senior-level civil service in India, responsible for leading the state and central police forces. IPS officers in India ensure internal security, maintaining law and order, and stopping crime. The IPS officers are recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Exam and commanding roles in state police, CAPFs (like BSF, CRPF), and other central agencies (CBI, IB). Established in 1948, the Indian Police Service replaced the British-era Indian Imperial Police and provides top-level powers and leadership for India's national security apparatus.

The IPS officers in India 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. IPS officers in India are recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Examination, and they serve as heads of police stations, districts and major agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Bureau, and paramilitary forces. They ensure national security by tackling issues like smuggling, terrorism, financial fraud and border infiltration.

How To Become an IPS Officer?

To become an IPS officer in India, you must clear the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It is a three- stage examination including the Prelims (objective), Mains (written) and Interview (Personality Test). According to the latest UPSC notification 2026, aspirants who want to appear for the UPSC exam need to be citizens of India/Nepal/Bhutan. They should be at least 21 and hold a graduate degree from a recognised university. The examinations are conducted in all languages mentioned in the Indian Constitution, so aspirants can choose a language of their comfort. The registration for UPSC civil service examinations happens every year and is done online on UPSC’s official website.

Process of Becoming an IPS Officer

Aspirants first need to understand the eligibility criteria and see if they are fit to join the Indian police services. Aspirants have to meet some physical criteria of the IPS post, such as fitness, height and eyesight. If they find themselves eligible, then they must apply online within the deadline on the official website of UPSC to appear for the UPSC civil services examination. For UPSC CSE prelims, aspirants should focus on building foundational knowledge and ensure they master every topic. After clearing the UPSC prelims, aspirants need to fill out the Detailed Application Form (DAF-1) to appear for the mains examinations. The details and documents in the UPSC DAF-l should be accurate and totally in sync with the information in official documents to prevent a mismatch.

Since positions for IPS officers are allotted to aspirants with good ranks, they need to study for the mains with utmost sincerity because the ranks create a lot of difference in the final service allotment after selection. If an aspirant clears the mains, they need to fill the UPSC DAF 2 form, which includes every bit of information about an aspirant’s background, education, professional pursuits and service preferences. Here, aspirants need to mention that they want to join the police services after selection. After passing the interview stage and getting the desired ranks, an aspirant gets shortlisted for the police services.

Meet Eligibility → Apply for UPSC CSE → Clear Prelims → Fill DAF-l →Clear Mains →Fill DAF-ll → Clear Interview → Final Selection (only if an aspirant has achieved a good rank).

IPS Officer Training

IPS officer training is a rigorous two-year program that is split into four phases, which include a common foundation course at LBSNAA (Mussoorie), Phase I (11 months) and Phase II at SVPNPA (Hyderabad), focusing on law, tactics, weapons and ethics. The last phase is a 6-month district practical training in their assigned state. This comprehensive IPS officer training shapes aspirants into capable IPS officers, who receive training on every relevant domain from basic administration to advanced policing techniques. The training period guarantees that an IPS officer is completely ready to tackle challenges.

IPS Officer Career Path and Promotions

An IPS officer begins their police service journey as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) after clearing the UPSC exam. Gradually, they are promoted to higher ranks such as Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Inspector General (IG), Additional Director General and finally the Director General of Police (DGP). Promotions of IPS officers are based on experience, performance and available vacancies. The IPS officers also receive time scale promotions, such as selection grade, even if a higher post is not immediately available. Let’s take a look at the IPS officer career path and promotions.

• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DGP)
• Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP)
• Superintendent of Police (SP)
• Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)
• Inspector General of Police (IG)
• Additional Director General (ADG)
• Director General of Police (DGP)

Rank Wise Salary Structure of IPS Officers

As per the 7th Pay Commission, the starting salary of an IPS officer is ₹56,100 per month at the entry level. The IPS officer's salary increases with experience, and they end up earning ₹2,25,000 per month with 30+ years of experience. The promotions are entirely dependent on reviews and performance, and never on vacancies. Let’s take a look at the rank-wise salary structure of IPS officers at various ranks of their career.

In-Hand Monthly Salary of IPS Officers

An IPS officer’s basic pay begins at ₹56,100 per month, along with allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Travel Allowance (TA). After deductions such as NPS/PF and taxes, the IPS officer gets the remaining amount as their in-hand salary, which is basic pay plus allowances. Let’s take a look at the salary of an entry-level Deputy Superintendent of Police as an example to understand the salary structure.

What is the Highest Salary of an IPS Officer?

As per the 7th pay commission, the highest salary for an IPS officer is ₹2,50,000 per month (basic pay) at the post of Director General of Police, along with significant allowances such as housing allowance, travel allowance, among others that can bring total earnings to ₹2,40,000 lakhs or more, depending on posting, experience and promotions.

IPS Officer Grade Pay as Per 7th Pay Commission

As per the 7th Pay Commission, IPS officers start at Pay Level 10 with a basic pay of ₹56,100 per month and a Grade Pay of ₹5,400, moving up through various levels, with the highest reaching the Apex Scale (Level 17) at ₹2,25,000 (fixed pay). Let’s take a look at IPS officers grade pay as per the 7th pay commission: -

Allowances and Perks of being an IPS Officer in India

An IPS Officer in India receives substantial perks beyond a competitive salary (starting from ₹56,000 and rising to ₹2,25,000), including allowances like housing allowance, travel allowance and perks like rent-free accommodation, official vehicles with drivers, dedicated security and staff, comprehensive medical benefits and retirement benefits like pension/gratuity. The top IPS officers and IAS officers in India also get household bill coverage (electricity, phone) and study leave. Let’s take a look at allowances and perks of being an IPS officer.

Financial Perks of IPS Officers

• Housing: The IPS officers are provided house accommodation at government quarters, which are quite big and senior officers even get access to larger properties.
• Household Staff:The government provides access to domestic staff such as cooks, gardeners,drivers and housekeepers.
• Transportation: Officers are provided official vehicles with drivers and fuel. Also, maintenance costs are covered.
• Subsidized Bills: Subsidized or free electricity, water and gas bills are provided to officers depending on the rank.
• Free Internet: Free or subsidized mobile and internet services are provided to officers depending on the rank.
• Allowances: Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance, which vary based on posting and location.
• Medical Benefits: Medical expenses are provided for the officer and their family members. They are sometimes subsidized or completely free.
• Travel Benefits: Subsidized accommodation in government guest houses or bungalows during official trips is provided along with travel allowances to officers.
• Lifetime Pension: Senior IPS officers in India get lifetime pension benefits in generous amounts.

Professional Perks of IPS Officers

• Job Security: The IPS officers have high security as long as their duties are performed ethically. Removing an IPS officer is a very complicated process.
• Career Progress: Clear path from Assistant Superintendent to Director General of Police with thrilling work opportunities involving solving crimes, mysteries and bringing positive transformations in society.
• Work Opportunities: IPS officers get opportunities for central government deputation and international assignments.

Additional Perks of IPS Officers

• Prestige & Respect: All IPS officers in India enjoy high social standing and authority. They are immensely respected in society.
• Impact: Police officers get the power to influence policy and bring positive changes.
• Networks: Police officers get access to powerful networks and events where high-profile people come, and IPS officers get to socialise with them.

Conclusion

IPS officers get to work on many thrilling projects such as solving crimes, decoding mysteries, implementing policies and keeping the communities safe. They are responsible for maintaining law and order, executive internal security measures against anti-social elements such as terrorism, theft, community violence and corruption. Many young people in the country feel inspired to join the police services, and in order to do so, they must clear the UPSC civil services examinations.

An IPS officer’s starting salary is ₹56,100 and rises upto ₹2,25,000. The IPS officer’s promotions and hikes are based on experience, performance and years of service. They get a lot of allowance such as travel allowance, housing allowance and transport allowance, among others. They also enjoy immense respect and privileges, such as access to high-profile networking events and opportunities to work on international assignments.