Everything you need to know about IPS

This article contains the following topic –

  1. IPS – Full form
  2. Exam for IPS
  3. Definition and Origin
  4. Salary of an IPS officer
  5. Top post for an IPS officer
  6. Recruitment
  7. Cadre Controlling Authority for IPS
  8. Training for IPS
  9. Powers and Responsibilities of the IPS
  10. Dress Code
  11. Eligibility Criteria for IPS Officer
  • Physical Criteria
  • Nationality
  • Education Qualification
  • Age limit
  • Number of attempts
  1. Roles and Responsibilities

Full Form of IPS

The full form of IPS is the Indian Police Service. It is among the top positions in this country in terms of career, power, and prestige.

Exam

IPS Exam The Indian Police Service examination is a part of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) each year.

Definition and Origin

A large number of IAS Exam aspirants covet this post and work hard to achieve the same. On that note, having a solid grasp of the history and details of IPS forms an intrinsic part of competitive exams’ preparations.

The Indian Police Service is responsible for administration in this country. An IPS officer is posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP) and is among the most influential persons in a district. IPS and IAS officerswork together and coordinate for better administration in the country.

Origin of IPS

The IPS did not originate with the independence of India but rather during British rule. It was formerly known as Imperial Police. The British dominated the Imperial Police, and after independence, certain rules came into play to allow Indians to enter this service. The term Imperial Police also changed to Indian Police Service in 1948.

Salary of an IPS Officer

Seventh Pay Commission sets the salary of IPS officers to range from Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,25,000. This salary also depends on the seniority of an officer.

To get detailed information of the IPS Salary in India, the pay scale, ranks and perks, aspirants can visit the the official website of UPSC.

Top Post for an IPS Officer

An IPS officer from any state in India can become a Director General of Police. This is the highest post he can attain in a state. However, an IPS officer is eligible for posts like Director of CBI, IB, and RAW at the centre. Moreover, a member of the IPS is also deployed as National Security Advisor.

Recruitment for an IPS Officer

Recruitment for an IPS Officer takes place via Civil Service Examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. While filling the DAF (Detailed Application Form), a candidate is required to state his preference for IAS or IPS since the same form applies to both.

However, candidates get assigned to IPS training according to their rank and preference.

Cadre Controlling Authority for IPS

The Cadre Controlling Authority is responsible for transferring and posting various IPS officers. For IPS, the Cadre Controlling Authority is the Ministry of Home Affairs. They work under the Union Home Minister.

Training for IPS

At first, selected IAS and IPS candidates undergo joint training for three months. The Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy of Administration undertakes this general training at the foundational level.

Later, IPS officers must go for special training. They are sent to Hyderabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Training Academy for rigorous training in law enforcement and physical fitness. This training takes place for nearly one year.

Powers and Responsibilities of the IPS

An IPS officer’s first post is as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). His responsibility is to maintain law and order in a district, and he has power over only his department.

Dress Code

IPS officers have to wear their uniforms on duty. In general, the uniform is of Khaki colour.

Eligibility Criteria for IPS Officer

Eligibility criteria for an IPS Officer are as follows:

The person should be an Indian national Should have a minimum age of 21 years. Must be a graduate from a recognised university Not more than 6 attempts for Unreserved and EWS at this UPSC exam. Must meet physical standards of the rule book of this exam.

Thus, these were some of the critical details regarding the IPS. From the perspective of this IAS exam, you can refer to various newspaper portals and other books for a holistic view and preparation.

  • Physical criteria: The physical criteria for eligibility of the IPS officer is as follows: Minimum Height – 

Men -165cm                  

Women – 150cm

Relaxable minimum height is 160cm (men) and 145cm (women) for candidates belonging to ST and races such as Gorkhas, Garhwalias, Assamese, Kumaonis, Nagaland Tribals, etc. 

Minimum Chest Girth – Men/Women: 84cm 79cm 

Myopia (including cylinder) should not exceed minus 4.00D 

 

Hypermyopia (including cylinder) should not exceed plus 4.00D 

  1. The presence of Squint is a disqualification 
  2. Spectacles are permitted 

iii. Distant vision for better eye(Corrected Vision) should be 6/6 or 6/9 

  1. Distant vision for the worse eye(Uncorrected Vision) should be 6/12 or 6/9 
  2. Near vision should be J1 and J2 respectively 
  3. High grade color vision is required and Binocular vision is needed 
  • Nationality: Nationality of a candidate must be either of the following: 
    • Citizen of India 
    • Subject of Nepal 
    • Subject of Bhutan 
    • A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962 for permanent settlement in India.
    • Migrant from any of the following countries for permanently settling in India: Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam 
  • Education qualification: A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree from any of the universities recognised by the UGC or possess an equivalent qualification.
  • Age limit: Candidate should fulfill the age limits mentioned below: 
    • Minimum age 21 years
    • Maximum age 32 years as on 1st of August in the year of examination. 

Relaxable age limit is as follows

  • Up to max. 5 years for SC/ST candidates.
  • Up to max. 3 years for OBC candidates.
  • Up to max. 5 years for a candidate from the State of Jammu & Kashmir 
  • Up to max. 5 years for Defence Services personnel 
  • Up to max. 5 years for Ex-servicemen including Commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least 5 years Military Service and have been released. 
  • Up to max. 5 years for ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of 5 years of Military Service.
  • Up to max. 10 years for Blind, deaf-mute and Orthopaedically handicapped persons 

 

  • Number of attempts: Restriction on the maximum number of attempts is effective since 1984: 
    • For General Candidates: 6 attempts (Up to 32 Years)
    • Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Candidates (SC/ST): No Limits (Up to 37 Years) 
    • Other Backward Classes (OBC): 9 attempts (Up to 35 Years) 
    • Physically handicapped- 9 attempts for general and OBC, while unlimited for SC/ST 

Roles and Responsibilities

To fulfill duties based on border responsibilities, in the areas of maintenance of public peace and order, crime prevention, investigation, and finding, collecting of intelligence reports, taking care of VIP security, counter-terrorism, border patroling, railway policing, working towards preventing smuggling, drug trafficking, economic offences, corruption, playing a key role in disaster management, enforcement of socio-economic legislation, bio-diversity and defending of environmental laws etc. Exchanging information with the Indian Intelligence Agencies like R&AW, IB, CID, CBI Leading the Central Armed Police Force (CRPF) and being in touch with them on a regular basis Interact and coordinate with the Indian Revenue services (IRS), Indian Armed forces, primarily with the Indian Army Serve the people of the country with full integrity, honesty and whole hearted dedication.