Police Ranks in India: Police Rank List, Police Posts and Badges

Police Ranks in India are decided as per the law and order of the country. In each state of India, the state government is responsible for appointing police officers and also for appointing the powers which are applicable to the police ranks in their respective states. The state government defines the police ranks by the legislatures and the rules. However, in the union territories, the union government of India is responsible for controlling the Indian police ranks and salary through lieutenant governors of the union territories. The union government also has the power to establish any particular order regarding the police ranks if there is an emergency.

There are numerous ways through which Indian residents can apply for various Indian police ranks and some of them also depend upon the promotions which are done internally as per the performance of the candidate. There are some posts that require direct entry and also some posts that require entrance exams to be cleared by the aspirants. Union Public Service Commission is one of the most popular exams that is taken to be appointed in the Indian police force. Check out the Indian police ranks list provided below.

Also Read: How to Become a Police Officer?

India Police Ranks List and Badges

There is a proper hierarchy that is followed by the Indian government in order to recruit the police ranks in India. Check out the rank-wise hierarchy and badges from the table given below:

Ranking	Police Rank (Lowest to Highest)	Badge
1.	Constable
2	Head Constable
3	Assistant Sub-Inspector
4	Sub-Inspector
5	Inspector
6	Deputy Superintendant of Police (Dy. SP)
7	Additional Superintendent of Police
9	Superintendent of Police
10	Senior Superintendent of Police
11	Deputy Inspector General of Police
12	Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
13	Additional Director General of Police (ADG)
14	Director-General of Police (DGP)

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC Civil Services Personality Test/Interview?

Police Ranks in India 

There are numerous police ranks in India and the details related to each and every rank presented by the Union government have been provided below:

Police Rank List in India: Insignia

Every other police role in India has its own insignia. The rank insignia depicts the level of the police officer. Check the insignia of various Indian police service ranks from the pointers given below: 

• Director General of Police (DGP): Crossed sword, baton and state emblem
• Additional Director General of Police (ADGP): Crossed sword, baton and state emblem
• Inspector General of Police (IGP): Crossed sword, baton and one star
• Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG): State emblem and three stars
• Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP): State emblem and two stars
• Superintendent of police (SP): State emblem and one star
• Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP): State emblem
• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP): Three stars
• Inspector: Three stars and a ribbon ½" in width, half red and half blue, worn horizontally, red colour facing the stars
• Sub-inspector (SI): Two stars and a ribbon ½" in width, half red and half blue, worn horizontally, red colour facing the stars
• Assistant sub-inspector (ASI): One star and a ribbon ½" in width, half red and half blue, worn horizontally, red colour facing the stars
• Head constable: Three stripes on the upper part of the arm sleeve
• Police constable: Police constables do not have any insignia.

Constable Rank in Indian Police

Constable is the starting rank of the police hierarchy in India. The constable is permissible to carry the rifle but arms training is given after the recruitment. The constable can become a senior constable and then they can become head constable with the event of promotion. There are three main positions here:

• Constable
• Senior Constable
• Head Constable 

Assistant Sub Inspector Rank in Indian Police Department

Assistant sub-inspector is recruited through competitive examinations which are conducted by the state governments. Each and every state in India has its own recruitment process and competitive examinations. There are three main positions which are available in this rank:

• Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI)
• Sub-Inspector of Police (SI)
• Inspector of Police (PI)

Provincial/State Police Service Officers (PPS/SPS) Ranks in Police Department

The State Public Service Commission is responsible for recruiting the state police service officers and this is a gazette service. The people who have served this rank for a longer period of time can also be promoted to the Indian Police Service post. There are four main positions which are available to the people who will be appointed as a DSP by their state Public Service Commission:

• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
• Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP)
• Superintendent of Police (SP)
• Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)

Police Ranks in India: IPS 

If you want to apply for an IPS position then you will have to take a particular civil service examination and then you will be eligible to be appointed as the assistant superintendent if you have successfully passed the entrance examination. You can check out the positions available after passing the civil services examination from the pointers given below:

• Assistant Superintendent of Police
• Additional Superintendent of Police 
• Superintendent of Police (SP)
• Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
• Deputy Inspector General of Police 
• Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
• Additional Director General of Police 
• Director-General of Police (DGP)

Indian Police Ranks and Salary

Check out the various Indian police ranks and salary per month provided in the table below.

Also Read: How to Prepare for IAS After 12th Board Exams

What is the Highest Police Rank in India? 

The Director General of Police (DGP) is the highest police rank in India. IPS officers who have cleared civil services examination or appointed as DGP. The officers with at least 33 years of service are often considered for this position. You can also call the DGP as “State Police Chief” because he is typically the head of state. Check more information about the same here:

• The DGP is appointed by the cabinet and they hold a 3-star rank.
• There may also be other officers who hold the rank of DGP in the state.
• The rank insignia of a Director General of Police or Commissioner of Police (in Delhi) is the national emblem over crossed sword and baton.
• These officers wear Gorget patches on their collar which have a dark blue background with an oak leaf pattern stitched on it.
• They are appointed by the state government in consultation with the UPSC.

Selection Process for Police Ranks in India

There are different types of procedures through which the aspirants are selected for the police ranks in India. Check out the India police ranks list along with their selection procedure from the table given below:

Also Read: Best Graduation Subjects for IAS after 12th

Police Rank List: Commissionarate System of Policing 

The police department works on dual commands. If we talk about the operation of police then the police departments work under the superintendent of police i.e. SP. However, the executive powers are also in the hands of a District Magistrate. A District Magistrate is somebody who is responsible for the law and order of the city. To arrest someone, the police will first have to obtain a warrant from the District Magistrate. When the executive powers are in the hands of the DM, it can cause delays in orders. To overcome the delay some states follow the commissioner system. Check the police hierarchy in the commissionarate system from the table given below. Kindly note that the commissionarate system may vary from state to state. 

State Police Department and Ranks

The state governments are responsible for monitoring the Indian police ranks and salaries of the police officers in their respective states. The hierarchy of a state police department is divided as follows.

• The state is divided into one or more police zones and then these zones are further divided into police ranges. 
• Some States have also developed a commissioner system of division. 
• The police department is monitored by DGP rank officers. 
• The DGP is responsible for reporting to the Home Minister and the Home Secretary of the respective state government. 
• The zones are monitored by the IGP and Deputy IGP. 
• If the state is following the commissioner system then it will be headed by the police commissioner. 
• Ranges are further divided into districts and these districts are headed by SSPs or SPs. 
• Districts are then divided into circles or subdivisions and these are headed by a Circle Officer or Sub Divisional Police Officer. 
• The circle has a lot of Police stations and these Police stations are headed by Station House Officers who are Inspector or Sub-inspector Level Officers. 

The police force of the country is responsible for maintaining law and order which is one of the biggest responsibilities to carry. The police officers are also responsible for the safety of the citizens. Stay tuned with us for more articles related to police ranks in India!

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