Indian Police Service

Objective

The First Police Commission, appointed on 17 August 1865, contained detailed guidelines for the desired system of police in India and defined the police as a governmental department to enforce the law, maintain order, and to detect and prevent crime across the region. The Indian Police Service is not a force but a service providing leaders and commanders to staff the state police and all-India Central Armed Police Forces. Its members are the senior officers of the police. With time, the Indian Police Service's objectives were updated and redefined. The current roles and functions of an Indian Police Service officer are as follows:

• To fulfil duties based on border responsibilities, in the areas of maintenance of public peace and order, crime prevention, investigation, and detection, collection of intelligence, VIP security, counterterrorism, border policing, railway policing, tackling smuggling, drug trafficking, economic offenses, corruption in public life, emergency management, enforcement of socioeconomics legislation, biodiversity and protection of environmental laws, etc.
• Leading and commanding the Indian Intelligence Agencies like Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) etc., Indian Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, Civil and Armed Police Forces in all the states and union territories.
• Led and commanded various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) which include the Central Police Organisations (CPO) such as Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Vigilance Organisations and Indian Federal Law Enforcement Agencies.
• To lead and command the force with courage, uprightness, dedication and a strong sense of service to the people.
• Endeavor to teach in the police forces under their command such values and norms as would help them serve the people better.
• Inculcate integrity of the highest order, sensitivity to people's aspirations in a fast-changing social and economic milieu, respect for human rights, the broad liberal perspective of law and justice, and a high standard of professionalism.

Recruitment

IPS officers are recruited from the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. They are also promoted from State Police Services and DANIPS. However, at present, recruitment from Limited Competitive Examination has been put on hold.

Training

The training of IPS officer recruits is conducted at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. The authorized cadre strength of the Indian Police Service is 4920. (3270 Direct Recruitment Posts and 1650 Promotional Posts). The Civil List of IPS officers is an updated (annual) list maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India that lists the posting details of all IPS officers in India. This Civil List can be accessed from the MHA website. It allows searching for an IPS officer based on their name, batch, or cadre. After completion of almost 2 years of training, IPS probationers are awarded a master's degree in criminal justice management from NALSAR University of Law.

State cadres

Cadre allocation policy

The Union Government announced a new cadre allocation policy for the All India Services in August 2017, touting it as a policy to ensure national integration of the bureaucracy as officers and ensure the All-India character of the services. Under the new policy, the existing 26 cadres have been divided into five zones in the new policy by the Department of Personnel and Training of the Government of India. Under the new policy, a candidate has to first give their choice in the descending order of preference from amongst the various Zones. Subsequently, the candidate has to indicate one preference of cadre from each preferred zone. The candidate indicates their second cadre preference for every preferred zone subsequently. The process continues till a preference for all the cadres is indicated by the candidate. The preference for the zones/cadres remains in the same order, and no change is permitted. Officers continue to work in the cadre they are allotted or are deputed to the Government of India.

Old cadre allocation policies

Till 2008, there was no system of preference for state cadres by the candidates; the candidates, if not placed in the insider vacancy of their home states, were allotted to different states in alphabetical order of the roster, beginning with the letters A, H, M, T for that particular year. For example, if in a particular year, the roster begins from 'A', which means the first candidate on the roster will go to the Andhra Pradesh state cadre of IPS, the next one to Bihar, and subsequently to Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and so on in alphabetical order. The next year the roster starts from 'H', for either Haryana or Himachal Pradesh (if it has started from Haryana on the previous occasion when it all started from 'H', then this time it would start from Himachal Pradesh). This highly intricate system, in vogue since the mid-1980s, had ensured that officers from different states were placed all over India.

The system of permanent state cadres has also resulted in wide disparities in the kind of professional exposure for officers when we compare officers in small and big and also developed and backward states. Changes of state cadre are permitted on grounds of marriage to an All India Service officer of another state cadre or under other exceptional circumstances. The officer may go to their home state cadre on deputation for a limited period, after which they have to invariably return to the cadre allotted to them.

From 2008 to 2017, IPS officers were allotted to state cadres at the beginning of their service. There was one cadre for each Indian state, except for two joint cadres: Assam–Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh–Goa–Mizoram–Union Territories (AGMUT). The "insider-outsider ratio" (ratio of officers who were posted in their home states) is maintained as 1:2, with one-third of the direct recruits as 'insiders' from the same state. The rest were posted as outsiders according to the 'roster' in states other than their home states, as per their preference.

Ranks and career advancements

Ranks and insignia

Though the standard uniform colour is khaki, The ranks, posts, and designations of IPS officers vary from state to state as law and order is a federalism in India. But generally, the following pattern is observed.

IPS officer ranks

IPS officers are appointed on the basis of either Civil Service Examination or promoted from the state police service cadre (state civil service officers). Vacancies in the IPS cadre are determined based on vacancy on an superintendent of police rank. Consequently, there are two levels of gradation for SP rank. These are levels 11 and 12 as per the Seventh Pay Commission. Resultantly, IPS officers remain on the rank of SP till the 13th year, after which they are eligible for being promoted as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). ASP rank is the junior-most rank on an IPS state cadre. Consequently, fresh recruits to IPS are variously posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in a supernumerary capacity (only for training purpose for two years and after that for 1 year) till they are formally placed as Superintendent of Police In-Charge of an area (when they get the pay of level 11 and level 12) and as district in charge (when they get the pay of level 12) (only in non-metropolitan districts). When the officers get promoted to the rank of SSP, some of them are posted to the district in charge of metropolitan districts.

Pay structure of the Indian Police Service

Challenges and reforms

As of March 2026, India's police continue to be governed by a colonial police law passed in 1861. The Indian Constitution makes policing a state subject and therefore the state governments have the responsibility to provide their communities with a police service. However, after independence, most have adopted the 1861 Act without change, while others have passed laws heavily based on the 1861 Act. Repeated major incidents, like the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, 2020 Hathras gang rape and murder, as well as terrorist attacks such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks revealed the failure of the police to uphold the rule of law.

The need for police reform in India has long been recognized. There have been almost 30 years of debate and discussion by government-created committees and commissions on the way forward for police reform, but India remains saddled with an outdated and old-fashioned law, while report after report gathers dust on government bookshelves without implementation. Many committees on police reform have recommended major reforms in the police system coupled with systematic accountability.

National Police Commission (1977–81)

The National Police Commission was the first committee set up by the Government of India to report on policing. The National Police Commission began sitting in 1979, in the context of a post-Emergency India, and produced eight reports, including a Model Police Act, between 1979 and 1981.

Ribeiro Committee (1998–99)

In 1996, two former senior police officers filed a Public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, asking for the Court to direct governments to implement the recommendations of the National Police Commission. The Supreme Court directed the government to set up a committee to review the commission's recommendations, and thus the Ribeiro Committee was formed. The committee, under the leadership of Julio Ribeiro, a former chief of police, sat from 1998 and 1999, and produced two reports.

Padmanabhaiah Committee (2000)

In 2000, the government set up a third committee on police reform, this time under the stewardship of a former Union Home Secretary, K. Padmanabhaiah. This Committee released its report in the same year.

Malimath Committee Report (2003)

The Malimath Committee Report, submitted in March 2003, has very articulately laid down the foundation of a restructured and reoriented police system. The committee, in its report, observed that the success of the whole process of Criminal Justice Administration depended completely on the proper functioning of the police organisation, especially in the investigation stage. Apart from the investigation of offences, the police also have the duty of maintaining law and order.

Soli Sorabjee Committee (2005)

In 2005, the government put together a group to draft a new police act for India. It was headed by Soli Sorabjee (former attorney general). The committee submitted a Model Police Act to the Union government in late 2006.

Supreme Court intervention (2006)

In 1996, Prakash Singh (a former chief of Assam Police and Uttar Pradesh Police and subsequently Director General of the Border Security Force) initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India, asking the court to investigate measures to reform the police forces across India to ensure the proper rule of law and improve security across India. The Supreme Court studied various reports on police reforms. Finally, in 2006, a bench of Justice Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal, Justice C. K. Thakker and Justice P.K. Balasubramanyan ordered the state governments to implement several reforms in the police force.

Several measures were identified as necessary to professionalise the police in India:

• A mid- or high-ranking police officer must not be transferred more frequently than every two years.
• The state government cannot ask the police force to hire someone, nor can they choose the Director General of the State Police.
• There must be separate departments and staff for investigation and patrolling, which will include the creation of:
  • A State Security Commission, for policies and direction
  • A Police Establishment Board, which will decide the selection, promotions, and transfers of police officers and other staff
  • A Police Complaints Authority, to inquire into allegations of police misconduct.

Follow-up from Supreme Court

In 2006, due to a lack of action by all the state governments, the Supreme Court ordered the state governments to report to it why the reform measures outlined were not implemented. After being questioned in front of the judges of the Supreme Court, the state governments finally started to reform the police forces and give them the operational independence they need for fearless and proper law enforcement. Tamil Nadu Police has been at the forefront of the application of the new reform.

Again, in October 2012, a Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and justices S. S. Nijjar and Jasti Chelameswar asked all state governments and Union territories to inform about compliance with its September 2006 judgement. The order was passed when Prakash Singh, through his lawyer Prashant Bhushan, said that many of the reforms (ordered by the Supreme Court) have yet to be implemented by many state governments.

Concerns

Low training standards and personnel shortage

As of March 2023, India has a police-to-population ratio of 153 personnel per 100,000 citizens, which is less than the sanctioned strength of 196 and well below the United Nations minimum requirement of 222 per 100,000 citizens. The training has also fallen short of world standards, with the shortage of personnel causing investigations to suffer. These issues were previously noted in the aftermath of the 2008 terrorist attacks in Jaipur, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad.

Mental health and suicide

IPS officers have complained of high levels of stress due to long work hours and unrealistic demands of political bosses. Retired Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh Vikram Singh believes job discontent is a combination of "no holidays, lack of sleep, the sinking feeling of failure, public treatment of policemen with contempt, the indifference of political bosses, and almost no connection with superiors". Professional stress ruins personal lives and leads to marital discord. The inability to balance professional and personal lives has led some IPS officers to commit suicide.

Overworking and underpaid

The Indian Police Service has often faced issues of being overworked and underpaid. The 7th Pay Commission mandated a pay of Rs. 21,700 per month for constables, with the Director-General of Police having a pay of Rs. 225,000 per month. The pay for constables and inspector-ranked officers varies from state to state.

Due to a lack of a shift system, many officers, especially the constable ranks, were forced to work for more than 24 hours at a stretch, with no overtime pay. This affects the quality of the investigation as well as the morale of the officials on duty. Furthermore, the constabulary also does not get decent housing or any allowances for reasonable accommodation.

In May 2022, the Mumbai Police implemented an 8-hour shift system for the constable rank officers and assistant sub-inspectors, and 16 hours of rest. Following a lawsuit by a constable of the Delhi Police for demanding fixed working hours, proper housing, and reasonable pay in 2015, the Delhi High Court ordered senior officers of implementing better working conditions for constables in May 2023.

Corruption, Misconduct, and Human Rights Concerns

The Indian Police Service has, in multiple instances, been accused of serious violations of public trust. Reports, investigations, and judicial findings have repeatedly indicated that many IPS officers have been involved in grave misconduct, corruption and criminal activities including violence against women and sexual misconduct, custodial torture, and extrajudicial actions, repeated instances of bribery, and abuse of power. High-ranking officers are often found to be involved in money laundering.

Various studies have reported a documented pattern of custodial violence — physical, sexual and psychological inflicted on vulnerable individuals by the police officials. There have been many cases where First Information Report (FIRs) were deliberately ignored or suppressed particularly involving crimes against marginalized communities. In many documented and alleged cases IPS officers implicated in serious offence evade conviction due to various factors such as political protection, institutional shielding, influence over investigative processes, and prolonged procedural delays.

Instances by state

Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Pradesh Police)

Nidigattu Sanjay (1996 batch IPS; former CID chief)

Suspended on December 4, 2024, for misappropriating ₹1.76 crore (US$180,000) via manipulated tenders for the AGNI-NOC portal and SC/ST program; charges against PCA and IPC for breaches of trust. ACB FIR filed December 25, 2023, suspension extended to May 2025, per Review Committee recommendation. The Supreme Court dismissed anticipatory bail in July 2025.

Assam (Assam Police)

Gaurav Upadhyay (2012-batch IPS; former SP Karbi Anglong)

Charged in June 2025 for POSCO charges regarding sexual harassment of a minor; the CID chargesheet led to court proceedings highlighting abuse of power.

Women in the Indian Police Service

Women had previously been limited to supervisory roles in the Central Armed Police Forces. The parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women recommended greater roles for women in the CAPF. In accordance with this recommendation, the Ministry of Home Affairs mandated preferential treatment for women in paramilitary constabularies and later declared that women could be combat officers in all five Central Armed Police Forces. The Union Home Minister announced that female representation in the CRPF and Central Industrial Security Force would be 15 percent and five percent in the Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal. On 5 January 2016, it was decided that 33 percent of CRPF and CISF constabulary posts would be reserved for women in the CRPF and the CISF, and 14-15 percent in the BSF, SSB and ITBP.

In 1972, Kiran Bedi became the first woman Indian Police Service officer and was the only woman in a batch of 80 IPS officers, she joined the AGMUT Cadre. She was followed by Jija Madhavan Harisingh in 1975, who became the first woman Indian Police Service officer from South-India (Karnataka cadre) and she remained in service for 36 years before retirement in 2011 as Director General of Police (DGP), and Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, the second woman IPS officer belonging to the 1973 Batch, becoming the first woman director general of police of a state in India when she was appointed DGP of Uttarakhand Police.

In 1992, Asha Sinha, a 1982 Batch IPS officer, became the first woman commandant in the paramilitary forces of India when she was posted as commandant, Central Industrial Security Force in Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and she remained in service for 34 years before retirement in 2016 as the director general of police (DGP). In 2018, an IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram of 1980 Batch became the first woman to become the director general of police of a Central Armed Police Force as DG, Sashastra Seema Bal.

In 2021, Kalpana Saxena replaced Yogesh Singh as the commandant of 47 battalion of PAC, Ghaziabad.

In 2023, Nina Singh became the director general of the Central Industrial Security Force.

Notable people

• Abhayanand
• Vipul Aggarwal
• C. Sylendra Babu
• Shankar Bidari
• Kiran Bedi
• Vinod Chaubey
• Masud Choudhary
• Maloy Krishna Dhar
• Mahesh Dixit
• Ajit Doval
• Kanwar Pal Singh Gill
• Samant Goel
• Alexander Jacob
• Parag Jain
• Ashok Kamte
• R. N. Kao
• Hemant Karkare
• Atul Karwal
• Kishore Kunal
• Jacob Punnoose
• Surajit Kar Purkayastha
• Rajinder Khanna
• Amit Lodha
• Rakesh Maria
• Namo Narain Meena
• R. N. Ravi
• Anish Dayal Singh
• Lalit Vijay Singh
• Laxmi Singh
• Nina Singh
• Rishiraj Singh
• Sulkhan Singh
• Yogesh Pratap Singh
• H. T. Sangliana
• Sukhmohinder Singh Sandhu
• Rahul Sharma
• Manoj Kumar Sharma
• P. Vijayan
• D. Roopa
• V. Joseph Thomas
• Hormis Tharakan
• Amitabh Thakur
• Manoj Yadava
• Bhupendra Yadav
• Gaurav Yadav
• Jagmohan Yadav
• Julio Ribeiro
• Randhir Prasad Verma
• K. Vijay Kumar
• Nalin Prabhat
• Prakash Singh
• R. Sreelekha
• S. Subramanian
• Sukhmohinder Singh Sandhu
• Navniet Sekera
• Abdul Sathar Kunju
• Lalduhoma