| In India, the the central government recruits Indian Police Service (IPS), DANIPS, and Pondicherry Police Service. Alongside this, state governments recruit the various State Police Services (SPS). There are differences between states when it comes to the organization and structure of police forces. There is no same pattern for hierarchy and structure for police structure in India. In majority of the police forces in India, the ranks that fall below Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) are deemed subordinates. DSP officers and officers above DSP are mostly in supervisory roles. The Director General of Police is the senior-most official in the state police administration. There is a hierarchy for officers in Indian Police Service. |
Police Rankings in India are classified based on Police Posts in the department. The Police Force Ranks in India vary from state to state as every state has its own police force. Indian Police Service is the last direct entry in Police rank in India. The entrance exam is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) every year to fill the open positions in various police ranks in India.
Entry 2 of the State Subject List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India states Police rankings depend on the authority of individual states. The organization of the police differs according to the state. The Indian Police Service is at the top of the Police Force Rankings. It is the highest direct entry Police Rank in the state of India.
In several states, the Police Department comes under the Home Ministry of the state government. Whereas for the district level, the Police personnel come under Direct Magistrate and primarily in response to the Law and order of the State. The Union Government of India decides the Police ranks in the Union Territories through Lieutenant governors of the UTs.
Indian Police Ranks for IPS Officers
The recruitment of these officers is conducted through the UPSC Exam. After the selection process, the eligible candidates will receive a pan-India posting as Assistant Superintendent. The post orders, from lower to higher, are mentioned below:
- Assistant Superintendent of Police
- Additional Superintendent of Police
- Superintendent of Police
- Senior Superintendent of Police
- Deputy Inspector General
- Inspector General (IG)
- Additional Director General of Police
- Director General of Police (DGP)
Police Ranks and Insignia of India: Law Enforcement
As noted above, there are differences in structure and designations across states for police forces. Hierarchy also differs in some states. Each state has been given the power and freedom to organize its police forces. However, the pattern usually seen is mentioned below:
Director General of Police and Additional Director General of Police
The Director General of Police (DGP) stands at the top of the police hierarchy in Indian states and union territories. The cabinet picks the DGP, who holds a three-star rank. The DGP's job is to oversee the whole police force and manage law enforcement activities in their area. This role carries a lot of power and is key to keeping order putting crime prevention plans into action, and making sure the public stays safe. The state government chooses the DGP, who then works hand in hand with other law enforcement groups and government officials to uphold the law and protect people's rights.
Big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai have a detailed police structure. At the top, there is a leader called the Director General of Police (DGP) or Additional Director General (ADG) or Inspector General (IG). Smaller cities usually have a Commissioner of Police or a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) leading the police.
ADGP oversees all operations and management of the force. The ADGP is supported by officers known as Inspector General (IG) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG), who focus on administration and supervision. Each armed police group is led by a Commandant, similar in rank to a Superintendent of Police (SP). The Commandant is supported by a Deputy Commandant or Second-in-Command, equivalent to an Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP). Assistant Commandants, who are like Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), also provide support. The group includes Armed Police Inspectors, Armed Police Sub-Inspectors, Head Constables, Havildars, and Armed Police Constables.
Inspector General (IG) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
"IG" stands for Inspector General of Police, who is a senior officer in the Indian Police Service (IPS). An Inspector General typically manages a large area or a specialized police department within a state or union territory. This rank is higher than Deputy Inspector General (DIG) but lower than Additional Director General (ADG) and Director General of Police (DGP). An IG is responsible for maintaining law and order, controlling crime, and handling administrative operations across several districts. To become an IG, an IPS officer usually needs 18 to 20 years of service. In India, the monthly salary of an Inspector General ranges from ₹1,44,200 to ₹2,18,200 at Pay Level 14, not including additional allowances such as housing rent, dearness, and travel perks. The role is important for leading and managing law enforcement at the zonal level within the police force.
- The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) is a high-ranking position in the Police Department or Indian Police Service Ranks, specifically the fourth highest.
- Officers who earn this rank are from the Indian Police Service (IPS) and usually come from roles such as Senior Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police.
- The DIG is supervised by the Director General of Police, Additional Director General of Police, and Inspector General of Police.
- In turn, the DIG oversees several other officers, including Superintendents of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Additional Superintendents of Police, Assistant Superintendents of Police, Inspectors, Sub-inspectors, and more.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, Additional Superintendent of Police
As already noted, some states call an SP in the selection grade a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). When a police district is very large, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) is selected to lead it. He is senior to SP and ASP. This role remains important even if the officer is promoted to Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG); they might still serve as SSP in some cases.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) holds a rank in Indian police forces. This officer leads a rural police district. SPs can also run specialized wings or units. In cities with a commissionerate system, an SP might work as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) under the Police Commissioner. The SP works with the District Magistrate (Collector), who manages the revenue district and keeps law and order. The SP also sends monthly updates to the Director General of Police (DGP) through the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
The Superintendent of Police (SP) holds a middle management position in the police force. An SP's career path includes assignments in three different grades: senior time scale, junior administrative grade, and selection grade. Some states call an SP in the selection grade a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). The SP's rank is shown by two types of insignias: one star with the national emblem for the first two grades, and two stars with the national emblem for the selection grade.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP) ranks below the SP that is Superintendent of Police. The SP usually gets assistance from Additional Superintendent of Police (Add. SP), alongside ASPs and DSPs. Interestingly, in Kerala, the post of SP as the head of a police district is designated as the District Police Chief (DPC). The important things to keep in mind are bulleted below:
- The main difference between the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Additional Superintendent of Police (Additional SP) is in their jobs and duties in the district.
- The SP leads the district police and has full control. The SP makes final decisions. The Additional SP works under the SP and helps by managing specific tasks like keeping law and order, handling crime, or administration.
- The Additional SP supports these tasks and is important in making sure everything runs smoothly. Both hold senior positions, but the SP has more authority.
- The Additional SP’s role is crucial in making sure operations are executed well.
Assistant Superintendent of Police
The rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) remains in use in India held by officers from the Indian Police Service. This position serves as a probationary rank lasting until the second year of an IPS officer's career. Officers wear this rank while training at SVPNPA.
| Insignia of an Assistant Superintendent of Police in India (till the 2nd year, the ranks is probationary) |
State Police Services Rank and Insignia
State Police Services are crucial for keeping the peace in India's various states and territories. Each state has its own police department, but they usually have a similar ranking system based on the Indian Police Service (IPS). Knowing the ranks and insignia of the State Police helps to understand their roles and the structure within the police force. From constables to higher-ups like the Director General of Police (DGP), each rank has its own symbols displayed on uniforms, showing their service and position in the hierarchy.
Just so you know, in the State Police Services, the gazetted officer ranks start from Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and go up from there. In the Indian Police Service, the ranking kicks off with Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), which matches the DSP rank in state services.
Provincial/State Police Service Officers (PPS/SPS)
Candidates who want to be recruited as police officers of a respected state need to go through a stage known as the “State Public Service Commission”. State Police Service is an official job. After some years of working, they become a part of the Indian Police Service (IPS). PPS officers start as DSPs. Police Inspectors can be promoted to become DSPs during the end stage of their career. SPS officers get promoted in the following pattern:
- Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
- Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP)
- Superintendent of Police (SP)
- Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
Rank and Insignia for Non-gazetted Officers
Non-gazetted officers are an essential part of the Indian State Police. This group includes ranks like Constable, Head Constable, and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI). Even though they don’t have gazetted authority, they are vital for day-to-day law enforcement. Each rank wears a specific insignia that shows their place in the police hierarchy.
Police Rank has the same position as police machinery. Police ranks are classified into the following categories:
Constable
Constable is the lowest rank of a police officer. In some regions, this rank is also known as Sipahi. Constables are the lowest rank officers in the Police Force. They generally carry wooden sticks with them, but officers with higher ranks carry guns. Higher-ranking officers are taught how to use weapons when they are trained after they are hired. These positions were created during the British era. A constable can become a Senior Constable, and then can later on be promoted to the position of Head Constable. State police recruitment bodies conduct examinations for home guard or constable recruitment. The three levels of constables in the Police Rank List are mentioned below:
- Constable
- Head Constable
- Assistant Sub Inspector – Police Rank
After the Head Constable post, the next post of promotion is the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI). The ASI selection is done through competitive examinations which are conducted by specific authorities, and this process changes from state to state. Each state’s police team has its hiring procedure with exams to choose ASIs and SIs. These SIs then get promoted to become Police Inspectors (PIs). The order of these positions is mentioned below :
- Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI)
- Sub-Inspector of Police (SI)
- Inspector of Police (PI)
Police Ranks in Commissionerate System of Policing
Commissionerate System of Policing is also present in India in larger cities.
What are Commissionerates?
- Many adjoining districts make a Police Commissionerate.
- True Commissionerates are those located in New Delhi, Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Kolkata because they hold the authority of both the District Magistrate and the Executive Magistrate.
- The police commissionerates have different organizational frameworks depending on the state. For example, the Police Commissioners of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata answer directly to the state government rather than the Director General of Police (DGP).
- The Commissioner of Police in Kerala also lacks magisterial authority.
- The oldest police commissionerate in India is the Hyderabad City Police commissionerate, which was founded by the Nizams in the former Hyderabad State in 1847 AD.
- In 1856, the British Indian administration first introduced the CP system to Kolkata and Chennai, followed by Mumbai in 1864.
Rank and Hierarchy
You must note that each state follows a different system, depending upon how large the city is and other requirements. In Delhi, the following type of Police Commissionerate system is followed. Other cities may not have one or more of these posts, depending upon factors mentioned above.
Rank | Details |
Commissioner of Police (CP) | He is equivalent to DGP. He enjoys the highest position in the hierarchy. |
Special Commissioner of Police (Spl.CP) | He is equivalent to Additional Director General of Police (ADGP). He is below Commissioner of Police (CP) in the hierarchy. |
Joint Commissioner of Police (Jt. CP) | He is equivalent to Inspector General of Police (IGP). He is below Special Commissioner of Police (Spl.CP) in the hierarchy. |
Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl.CP) | He enjoys the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) equivalent position. He is below Joint Commissioner of Police (Jt. CP) in the hierarchy. |
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) | He is Senior Superintendent of Police or SP equivalent. He is below Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl.CP) in the hierarchy. |
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl.DCP) | He is Addl. SP equivalent. He is below Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the hierarchy. |
Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) | DSP or ASP equivalent. He is below Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl.DCP) in the hierarchy. |
Police inspector, sub-inspector, assistant sub-inspector, head constable, and constable are among the ranks of subordinate police officers in the Police Commissionerate system, which is equivalent to a district police force led by a Senior SP/SP.
Organizational Structure
The structure is presented and bulleted below:
- A Commissioner of Police (CP) is the head of the police commissionerate.
- Depending on the approval granted by the relevant state government (or the Government of India in the case of Delhi), an IPS officer of the rank of SP and above may hold the position of Commissioner of Police.
- The commissioner of police is supported by special, joint, additional, deputy, and assistant commissioners of police, who are approved by the respective state government.
- The organization is made up of departments such as security, special branch, traffic police, armed reserve police, administration, offenses, law and order, and more.
- Police districts, divisions, and sub divisions are responsible for upholding law and order. Generally, deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) oversee divisions, while assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) oversee sub divisions.
Structure, Organization, Roles and Functions of IPS
The accountability of law enforcement depends on state. The Ministry of Home Affairs coordinates and controls the Indian Police Service (IPS). The Home Secretary is the administrative head of the MHA. He is an IAS officer in the rank of Secretary to Government of India.
The Indian Police Service is not an organization that enforces law, rather, it's a professional body that maintain the police officers in India. There are two ways to become police officers in India.
Union Public Service Commission organizes the exam. One needs to clear the exam to become Assistant Superintendent. Candidates get training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy. After the training is over, candidates become assistant superintendent and wear three silver stars as insignia.
There is a state-level selection as well. One can clear the state PCS exam. State Public Service Commissions organize and administer the process. One must note that this is state level police officer of the state cadre. One can become a Deputy Superintendent of Police. Based on performance, a DSP can get promoted to SP.
Home Department of the States
The Home Department in each state is mainly responsible for things like law and order, police work, internal security, prisons, and prosecution, among other duties. An Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary typically leads this department. They focus on keeping law and order, preventing crime, prosecuting offenders, and also managing fire services and prisons. The state police operate under this department, helping to enforce laws, keep people safe, and maintain order in the state.
Structure of State Police Forces in India
The structure is as follows:
Armed Police/Reserve Police
In the State Armed Police or Armed Police Battalions, the top boss is usually an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP). This person keeps an eye on how the force runs day to day. They get help from officers like the Inspector General (IG) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG), who handle more of the administrative stuff. Each battalion or unit has a Commandant, similar to a Superintendent of Police (SP). The Commandant has a Deputy Commandant, who is about the same rank as an Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP), plus a team of Assistant Commandants, who are like Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP). The battalion is made up of Armed Police Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Head Constables, Havildars, and Constables, all working together to keep things running smoothly.
