SSP Full form in Police: Difference Between ASP, SP and SSP Simplified with Salary

The ASP is the first rank for an IPS officer, and they're still in training. The SP has more responsibility and takes charge of law and order in a district. The SSP is even higher up and works in bigger or more sensitive districts. As you go up in rank, you get more power, authority, and pay, so it's key to know how these roles fit into the Indian police system.

Difference Between ASP, SP and SSP

Figuring out the various police ranks in India can be tricky when it comes to titles like ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police), SP (Superintendent of Police), and SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police). These three are all high-ranking positions in the Indian Police Service (IPS) or State Police Services, but they have big differences in their rank, duties where they work, and how much they get paid. These differences matter a lot to people studying for civil services or police recruitment tests.

An ASP is an entry-level IPS officer and is usually in training. An SP has a more important role, handling law and order in a district. An SSP is even more senior and often works in larger or key districts. As officers get promoted, they gain more power, authority, and better salary. Understanding these roles is important for knowing how the Indian policing system works.

ASP- Assistant Superintendent of Police
SP - Superintendent of Police
SSP- Senior Superintendent of Police

As the name suggests, ASP is a junior officer than SP. While SP occupies a middle level position and is a junior to SSP. SSP is senior to both ASP and SP. The same is presented below:

ASP Full Form and Rank

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)

Every IPS officer begins their career as an ASP. State Cadre Officers can't hold this rank. Instead, they occupy the Deputy Superintendent of Police position, which is on par with the ASP rank. The important highlights are tabulated below:

Particulars	Highlights
Full Form of ASP	ASP stands for Assistant Superintendent of Police
Rank Position	Entry-level IPS officer rank (after probation)
Service Type	Indian Police Service (IPS)
Cadre Posting	Usually posted in districts or subdivisions under an SP or SSP
Recruitment Source	UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)
Probation Period	2 years (part of IPS training)
Badge Insignia	Three stars without any stripes
Reporting Authority	Reports to SP or SSP
Primary Role	Supervisory role; assists SP/SSP in maintaining law and order
Posting Areas	Urban and rural subdivisions, police lines, or crime branch units
Pay Level	Pay Level 10
Basic Salary	₹56,100 per month
Gross Salary (with allowances)	₹70,000 – ₹1,00,000 per month (approx.) depending on HRA, DA, TA
Promotion Eligibility	Eligible for promotion to SP after completion of probation and required years of service
Uniform Details	Khaki uniform with IPS badge and three stars
Eligibility Criteria	UPSC CSE-qualified candidate allocated IPS cadre

Can ASP Become SP and SSP?

In the Indian Police Service (IPS), you first become an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) during your probation after passing the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
Once you complete your training and probation, you advance to Superintendent of Police (SP), where you manage a district or key area.
With more experience and good performance, you can be promoted to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), especially in larger or more sensitive districts.
Each promotion means taking on more duties, receiving higher pay, gaining more authority, and playing a bigger role in important decisions at the district or regional level.

SP Full Form and Rank

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.

SP's rank

The SP rank sits higher than the Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) or Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP/DySP) ranks. It's below the SSP, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Inspector General of Police (IGP), Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), and Director General of Police (DGP) ranks. ASP/DSP to DGP ranks make up the top-tier officers in a police force. The law says SP and higher-ranking officers should serve at least two years in their posts. The important highlights are tabulated below:

Particulars	Highlights
Full Form	Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation	SP
Cadre Type	IPS Officer or State Police Service (Promoted)
Rank in Hierarchy	Senior to ASP, Junior to SSP
Posting	Typically heads a district (in smaller or medium-sized districts)
Authority	Overall law & order, crime control, district police administration
Reporting To	DIG (Deputy Inspector General) or IG (Inspector General)
Uniform Insignia	Ashoka emblem with one star on the shoulder
Minimum Eligibility	IPS officer (after completion of probation) or promoted DSP
Appointing Authority	UPSC (for IPS), State Government (for promoted officers)
Pay Level	Level 11 (for IPS)
Basic Pay	₹67,700 per month
Gross Monthly Salary	₹80,000 – ₹1,10,000 (incl. DA, HRA, TA)
Grade Pay (6th CPC)	₹6,600
Posting Locations	State capitals, district headquarters, or sensitive regions
Promotion Path	SP → SSP → DIG → IG → ADG → DGP
Powers & Duties	Crime prevention, maintaining law and order, supervising police stations
Departmental Role	Often heads District Armed Reserve, Traffic, or Special Branch units

Read in detail: SP Salary Per Month in India

What is Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP) and its Rank?

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.

SSP Full Form and Rank

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.

Particulars	Highlights
Full Form	Senior Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation	SSP
Cadre Type	IPS Officer
Rank in Hierarchy	Senior to SP, Junior to DIG
Posting	Heads large or sensitive districts
Authority	Top police officer in major districts; handles law & order, crime, admin
Reporting To	Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
Uniform Insignia	Ashoka emblem with two stars on the shoulder
Minimum Eligibility	IPS officer with specific years of service (typically 10+ years)
Appointing Authority	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) via IPS
Pay Level	Level 12
Basic Pay	₹78,800 per month
Gross Monthly Salary	₹95,000 – ₹1,25,000 (incl. DA, HRA, TA, etc.)
Grade Pay (6th CPC)	₹7,600
Posting Locations	Metropolitan cities, Naxal-affected districts, high-security zones
Promotion Path	SSP → DIG → IG → ADG → DGP
Powers & Duties	Strategic command, policy implementation, major law & order decisions
Departmental Role	May also oversee special units like Cybercrime, Intelligence, or STF

ASP, SP and SSP Comparison with Parameters

The table below details the important things that one should about ASP, SP and SSP.

Particulars	ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police)	SP (Superintendent of Police)	SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police)
Full Form	Assistant Superintendent of Police	Superintendent of Police	Senior Superintendent of Police
Rank Level	Entry-level IPS rank (probation/training)	Middle-level IPS officer	Senior-level IPS officer
Experience	0–2 years (probationary officer)	2–6+ years	7+ years and above
Posting Area	As Assistant to SP in a district or sub-division	In charge of a district (smaller/medium)	In charge of larger or sensitive districts
Reporting Structure	Reports to SP or SSP	Reports to DIG or IG	Reports to DIG, IG, or directly to DGP
IPS Association	IPS officer on probation	IPS officer with confirmed service	IPS officer with seniority and promotion

Read more: ACP Full Form

ASP, SP and SSP Salary Comparison

Since SSP is senior to ASP and SP, he enjoys more salary than them.

Rank	Pay Level	Basic Pay (₹)	Grade Pay (Old CPC)	Gross Monthly Salary (Approx.)	Allowances Included
ASP	Level 10	₹56,100	₹5,400	₹70,000 – ₹80,000	DA, HRA, TA
SP	Level 11/12	₹67,700 – ₹78,800	₹6,600 – ₹7,600	₹85,000 – ₹1,00,000+	DA, HRA, TA
SSP	Level 13	₹1,18,500	₹8,700	₹1,30,000 – ₹1,50,000+	DA, HRA, TA

Important Notes:

DA (Dearness Allowance): DA is usually 46% of basic pay (subject to revision).
HRA (House Rent Allowance): HRA is usually between 8% to 24% based on city classification (X, Y, Z).
TA (Transport Allowance): Varies by city category and rank.
Salary increases with experience, promotions, and annual increments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ASP an IPS officer?

Yes, ASP is an IPS officer. He is a junior or entry level officer of the Indian Police Service. After clearing UPSC, the IPS cadre candidates are first posted as ASP.

Who is higher ACP or ASP?

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) is higher than ASP. However, ASPs may be appointed as the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

What is the salary of ASP in police?

The basic salary begins at INR 56,100 per month and with allowances and benefits.

Who is higher, SP or DCP?

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) is higher than SP.

What is the salary of SSP?

SSP Officers in India get a monthly salary of around INR 1,23,100 per month. The actual in-hand salary may vary depending upon allowances and regulations.