The full form of IPS is Indian Police Service. Also, it is one of the All India Services (others are IAS, IFS, IRS, IFoS), etc. The IPS Officers can be employed under the centre as well as the states. It replaced the Indian Imperial Police in 1948. Further, an IPS officer needs to ensure the safety of citizens by taking care of the law and order. They also command and provide leadership to state and UTs’ police forces, CAPF forces (BSF, SSB, CRPF, CISF & ITBP), National Security Guards, etc. Moreover, the Indian Police Service is a job sought by many youngsters who wish to actively participate in the day to day affairs of the nation. Furthermore, it ranks 2nd in order after the IAS.
You must be wondering what the duties/ roles of an IPS officer must look like. Also, there are many benefits of becoming one. Further, we will also tell you all about how to become an IPS officer. Well, IPS officers lead the force with courage, uprightness, dedication as well as a strong sense of service to the people. Jobs offered to IPS candidates are the post of ASP, SP, SSP, DIG, IGP, ADGP, DGP, DIB, etc. Hence, it is important to understand the seriousness of the job.
Many candidates seek to become IPS officers because of the new challenges the job brings and also generous monetary benefits. Further, Kiran Bedi became the first woman IPS officer in 1972. She was the only woman in a batch of 80 IPS officers as well as joined the AGMUT cadre.
Physical qualifications for the post of an IPS officer.
Category |
Eligibility for male |
Eligibility for female |
Height |
165cm for general category, 160 cm for other categories |
150cm for general category, 145cm for other categories |
Chest |
Minimum 84cm, Expansion 5cm |
Minimum 79cm, Expansion 5cm |
Eyesight |
6/6 or 6/9 distant vision for good eye |
6/12 or 6/9 for worst eye. |
As part of the physical test for IPS, in the 1st medical examinationFurther, as part of the physical test for IPS in the 1st medical examination ( which was held just after the Interview), there were candidates who didn’t meet the medical standard for chest expansion. There is a criterion where they can show their chest expansion during 2nd medical examination i.e. after the result.
Nationality: To become an IPS officer, one must be a citizen of India.
Educational and other qualifications:
All UPSC aspirants must have a minimum one educational qualification from the following:
Age limit:
Attempts:
The number of attempts that a candidate can appear for the exam to become an IPS officer is given below:
Category of candidate |
Number of attempts |
General category |
6 |
OBC category |
9 |
SC/ST |
Unlimited till 39 years of age |
Further, appearing in any one of the papers in the prelims exam is counted as an attempt. However, if one applies to the exam but does not appear, that is not counted as an attempt.
There are three stages of the exam that a candidate needs to clear to become an IPS officer. So, they are - Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Further, a detailed exam pattern of these stages is mentioned below:
Prelims:
This stage intends to focus on the analytical abilities of the candidate. There are two papers (Both general studies or GS papers) of two hours duration with 200 marks each. Further, both papers have single/multiple choice type questions only:
GS 1: It requires the candidate’s knowledge on current events and various subjects like History of India and Indian national movement, Geography of India and world, Indian polity, socio-economic development, and also general science, etc.
GS 2 (CSAT): This exam tests the candidate’s skills in comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision making, problem-solving, also basic numeracy and data, etc. Further, this exam is qualifying in nature. Further, these marks are not counted for merit. But, there is a need to score a minimum of 33% in this paper to qualify for the prelims exam.
UPSC PRELIMS |
Total no. of questions |
Duration |
Maximum marks |
Negative marking |
Language/Medium |
Cut-off marks |
GS- I |
100 |
2 hours |
200 |
Yes (1/3rd of the maximum marks/ question) = 0.66 marks/incorrect answer |
English/Hindi |
Counted for merit. Cut-off marks varies every year. |
GS - II/ CSAT |
80 |
2 hours |
200 |
Yes (1/3rd of the maximum marks/question) = 0.83 marks/incorrect answer |
English/Hindi |
33% qualifying criteria |
Mains:
There are 9 papers in the mains stage of CSE. Further, two of them are qualifying in nature (Indian language paper and English language). Detailed information about these exams with the syllabus is mentioned in the below table:
Name of the paper |
Syllabus |
Duration |
Marks |
Paper- A Indian language (one of the Indian language selected from the 22 languages mentioned in 8th schedule of the constitution) |
Essay, comprehension, Precis writing, usage and vocabulary, etc. |
3 hour |
300 marks |
Paper- B English |
Essay, comprehension, précis writing, usage and vocabulary |
3 hour |
300 marks |
Paper-1 Essay |
There is no defined syllabus of essay |
3 hour |
250 marks |
Paper-2 General studies 1 |
Indian art and culture, history and geography of the world, society |
3 hour |
250 marks |
Paper-3 General studies 2 |
Constitution and governance, polity, social justice and IR. |
3 hour |
250 marks |
Paper-4 General studies 3 |
Economic development, technology, environment and ecology, Security and disaster management |
3 hour |
250 marks |
Paper-5 General studies 4 |
Ethics, Integrity and aptitude |
3 hour |
250 marks |
Paper-6 Optional paper-1 |
3 hours |
250 marks |
|
Paper-7 Optional paper-2 |
3 hours |
250 marks |
|
Total |
1750 |
||
Interview |
275 marks |
||
Grand total |
2025 marks |
You need to choose a subject as an optional paper. It is ideal to choose a graduation subject but you can choose any one. Further, there is no limit to what you can choose. The important thing is that the subject must interest you so you can score well. For further syllabus for optional papers.
Interview:
The Interview is of 275 marks. Here, the candidates are tested on their critical thinking abilities, presence of mind, etc.
The Board also may ask extensively about the optional subject. So, it is a must to be fully prepared with your optional subject. Further, candidates can be asked about current affairs, hobbies, general issues. So, it is very important to keep in touch with the news even after you have cleared the Mains exam. Also, the interview can last from 15 mins to as long as 45 minutes.
There are 4 parts for the training to the IPS recruits:
The foundation course for IPS officers is held at the LBSNAA together with all the other civil services recruits. Further, after the foundation course, candidates move on to the phase 1 part of the training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Academy at Hyderabad.
This job brings to you a generous salary and other benefits as well. The first perk being that the job itself is a work of dignity and a lot of people would die to reach here. So, let us look at some of the others:
Salary:
According to the 7th pay commission, the system of pay grades for civil services has been removed and the consolidation pay level has been introduced. Hence, the IPS pay scale is decided only on the basic pay along with TA, DA, and HRA.
IPS rank in state/ central police force |
Salary |
1. Director general of police/ director general of IB or CBI |
2,25,000 INR |
2. Director general of police |
2,05,400 INR |
3. Inspector general of police |
1,44,200 INR |
4. Deputy inspector general of police |
1,31,100 INR |
5. Senior superintendent of police |
78,800 INR |
6. Additional superintendent of police |
67,700 INR |
7. Deputy superintendent of police |
56, 100 INR |
Hence, the entry-level salary of IPS officers is 56,100 INR and the maximum pay is 2,25,000 INR.
Perks:
Pros:
Cons :
Every job has its pros and cons but being an IPS officer provides the chance to promote progress, peace, and order. This is one of the best jobs in the world as it promotes humanity and also justice. So, people who seek to work for the people and society at large should definitely go for this job.
1. What is the full form of IPS?
The full form of IPS is Indian Police Services. Further, it is an All India Service recruited by the UPSC through the Civil services examination.
2. What are the ways in which one can become an IPS officer?
3. What is the initial salary of an IPS officer?
The entry level IPS officer salary is around 56,100 rupees.