Table of Contents
The Complete Guide to the Indian Police Service (IPS) 🛡 IPS: What is it?
Along with the IAS and IFS, the Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the three All India Services. Top-ranking law enforcement authorities in India, IPS officers are responsible for maintaining peace and order, ensuring public safety, and leading both state and central police units.
Qualifications for IPS (via UPSC Exam)
Indian Police Service (IPS) – Complete Guide
- Name of Exam: UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Age restriction: general category, ages 21 to 32
- SC/ST: +5 years; OBC: +3 years
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is required for education.
- Indian nationality
- Attempts: SC/ST: Unlimited | OBC: 9 | General: 6
- Physical Standards: There are particular requirements for height, chest, and eyesight.
- The IPS selection process requires a medical and physical fitness test.
- Stages of the UPSC Civil Services Exam
- Prelims (GS + CSAT, Objective)
- The descriptive, nine-paper mains
- Personality Test Interview
- Medical tests and physical examinations (just for IPS, IRTS, etc.)
- IPS training
- Foundation: LBSNAA, Mussoorie (~3 months)
- Professional: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad (~2 years including district training)
IPS Ranks (Hierarchy) - Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
- Superintendent of Police (SP) / DCP
- Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
- Inspector General (IG)
- Additional Director General (ADG)
- Director General of Police (DGP)
- DG of CBI, NIA, IB, RPF, RAW, etc.
Roles & Responsibilities - Maintain law and order
- Crime prevention & investigation
- Lead police forces at district, state & central levels
- Coordinate intelligence and internal security
- Supervise paramilitary forces
Cadre Allocation
IPS officers are allocated to State Cadres (like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, etc.) or Joint Cadres (like AGMUT – Arunachal, Goa, Mizoram & Union Territories).
Central Deputation Roles - CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)
- IB (Intelligence Bureau)
- RAW (Research & Analysis Wing)
- NIA (National Investigation Agency)
- NSG (National Security Guard)
- BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, etc.
IPS Officer Salary (as per 7th Pay Commission) - ASP: ₹56,100 + DA + HRA + TA
- SP: ₹67,700 to ₹78,800
- DIG: ₹1,31,100+
- IG & above: ₹1,44,200 to ₹2,25,000+
Includes housing, official vehicle, staff, pension, etc.
IPS Career Growth - 1–4 years: ASP, SP
- 5–10 years: Sr. SP, DIG
- 10–20 years: IG, ADG
- 20+ years: DGP, DG of Central Agencies
Power and Influence - High administrative power
- Policy influence in law & order
- National security leadership
- Work with top political & intelligence offices
Strategy to Become an IPS Officer - Prepare for UPSC CSE (GS + Optional)
- Stay physically fit
- Practice CSAT, writing skills
- Focus on leadership qualities for the interview
- Stay updated on current affairs
Final Tips - IPS is a lifetime commitment to public service
- Requires mental toughness, leadership, and physical fitness
Power of IPS – The Iron Pillars of Internal Security
What is an IPS officer’s power?
The Indian Police Service (IPS) represents power, moral character, and bold leadership in addition to being a uniform. To uphold justice, law, and order throughout the nation, an IPS officer is endowed with enormous executive, administrative, and strategic powers.
IPS Officers’ Principal Authorities:
Control of Order and Law Enforcement
Oversee public safety, criminal investigations, and police operations.
Keep the peace during protests, riots, and important occasions.
Authority for Administration
Subordinate police personnel can be appointed, transferred, and suspended.
oversee the district’s or state’s police stations’ operations.
Authority over the Armed Forces
Oversee counterterrorism forces, paramilitary or anti-Naxal actions, etc.
Intelligence and Investigation
Lead vital crime units such as the Anti-Terrorism Squads, RAW, IB, and CBI.
Deal with drug trafficking, cybercrime, and other issues.
Civic Trust and Public Engagement
Create models for community policing.
Assure the public’s safety and confidence.
Influence of Policy
Provide guidance on internal security regulations.
Participate in criminal justice and law enforcement reforms.
Power Words to Describe an IPS Officer:
Justice WarriorOUR SOCIAL HANDLE
Commanding
Fearless
Unyielding
Strategic Leader
Protector
Nation-Builder
Iron-Willed
Decisive
Civic Guardian

https://youtube.com/@upscuniverse360?si=7Vv55gByGqxpSqv2
FOR SELF STUDY https://upscuniverse360.com/
Power of IPS, Power of IPS, Power of IPS
