The Full form of IPS is Indian Police Service, which is one of the three arms of All India Services along with IAS and IFoS. The cadre controlling authority for the IPS is the ministry of Home affairs. It replaced the Indian Imperial Police in 1948. 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 DREAM job of many youngsters who wish to actively serve the nation and its people. It ranks 2nd on the list of 24 services offered by UPSC through ANNUALLY HELD civil services examination.
IPS officers lead the force with courage, uprightness, dedication as well as a strong sense of service to the people. IPS candidates hold office of ASP, SP, SSP, DIG, IGP, ADGP, DGP, DIB, etc. Aspirants seek to become IPS officers due to new challenges the job brings, EXPOSURE DURING SERVICE, and the prestige and respect it commands in society. Hence, it is important to understand the seriousness of the job.
Roles of an IPS officer
IPS is a highly respected and prestigious service responsible for maintaining the internal security of India. Sardar Patel defined it as one of the most fundamental pillars of the Indian democracy along with IAS responsible for the maintenance of law and order, peace, sovereignty and integrity of India. The roles an IPS officer Performs are-:
- Maintain peace and order – IPS officers maintains public order and also peace by preventing crimes.
- Border services – An IPS officer also has to maintain peace at the borders. Further, it remains a day to day duty after you enter the IPS.
- VIP security – IPS officers also have to provide security to important people and at important events.
- Railway policing – The roles include railway policing also.
- Address Economic Offences – Eg. Corruption.
- Investigation – Detection, and also collection of data to promote safety and security.
- Leading and commanding the RAW, IB, CBI, CID, and also CAPF in all the states and the UTs.
- Further, the role of an IPS officer is to inculcate integrity of the highest order and ensure that a broad liberal perspective of law and justice prevails.
- Also, serve as HoDs in policymaking in various Ministries and Departments under Centre and state.
- Interact and coordination – Close contact with Other All India Services, Army in general
Required skills to become an IPS officer
- The candidate has to be hardworking, have strong determination, and also will power.
- Clarity of thought and also an ability to analyze the situation to take a just decision.
- Moreover, quick at decision making and the ability to see through situations that may promote violence and disorder.
- Sensitive to the aspirations of people at large as well as to have good listening and communication skills.
- Also, one needs to be thorough with the law of the land.
- Further, there is a need to work on physical fitness and stay mentally alert.
Salary and Perks:
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 dream to reach here. So, let us look at some of the benefits: 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:
- Rent-free accommodation or stay with minimal rates with the security guard and also domestic help.
- Official vehicle facility, free electricity and also phone calls, etc.
- Moreover, the option for taking leave to study abroad
- High level of job security, power, and also respect in society
- Further, lifetime pension and retirement benefits, medical attendance
- Also, provision of an official vehicle, etc.
Eligibility and Attempt:
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 a part of the Physical test for IPS, in the first Medial Examination i.e., just after the interview, those who didn’t meet the Medical standards for IPS chest expansion criteria can appeal or show their chest expansion during the second Medical Examination i.e., after the result. In case, if expansion is less during Medical Examination then the candidate will go to the next service Nationality: To become an IPS officer, one must be a citizen of India. Educational and other qualifications: All UPSC aspirants must have a minimum of one educational qualification from the following:
- An aspiring IPS officer should have a minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from any of the streams from a recognized university.
- Candidates who have appeared and are awaiting the result of their bachelor’s exam can also appear for the UPSC exam.
Age limit:
- On the 1st of August of the year of the exam, the aspirant must be at least 21 years of age.
- The minimum age to appear for the exam is 21 years of age. Further, the maximum is 32 years.
- Also, there are different age relaxations based on reservations like SC/ST/OBC, etc., and PH groups.
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.
Exam Pattern:
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- AIndian 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- BEnglish | Essay, comprehension, précis writing, usage and vocabulary | 3 hour | 300 marks |
| Paper-1Essay | There is no defined syllabus of essay | 3 hour | 250 marks |
| Paper-2General studies 1 | Indian art and culture, history and geography of the world, society | 3 hour | 250 marks |
| Paper-3General studies 2 | Constitution and governance, polity, social justice and IR. | 3 hour | 250 marks |
| Paper-4General studies 3 | Economic development, technology, environment and ecology, Security and disaster management | 3 hour | 250 marks |
| Paper-5General studies 4 | Ethics, Integrity and aptitude | 3 hour | 250 marks |
| Paper-6Optional paper-1 | 3 hours | 250 marks | |
| Paper-7Optional paper-2 | 3 hours | 250 marks | |
| Total | 1750 | ||
| Interview | 275 marks | ||
| Grand total | 2025 marks |
You need to choose one subject as your optional subject. Ideally it is advised to choose your graduation subject but you can choose any subject that you like. The important thing is that the subject must interest you so you can score well. 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.
Training:
There are 4 parts for the training to the IPS recruits:
- Foundation course: The duration of this course is 3 months, at LBSNAA, Mussoorie.
- Phase 1 training: It is a basic course of 11 months at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Acadeomy, Hyderabad.
- District Practical Training: The duration of this training is 6 months at their respective cadre.
- Phase 2 training: It is a 1-month training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad.
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.
Pros and Cons of this service:
Pros:
- An IPS officer might get a chance to work with IB and in some cases also with the RAW.
- IPS officers will be in charge of his/her domain and will also be leading an adventurous life.
- Further, real cherishable experience and can be a part of amazing works like counter-terrorism/investigation, intelligence collection, foreign liaisons, etc.
- Further, an IPS officer gets all the benefits stated above.
Cons:
- Very stressful service life because for the first 8-10 years of service, officers will be doing a lot of fieldwork.
- Need to stay physically fit and exercise regularly. But, this can be a benefit for many as staying active should be the basis of a healthy life.
- The candidate will have to have a strong mentality i.e. he/she has to be very frequently exposed to the disturbing scene of a crime scene, blood, dead bodies, etc.
- Also, odd calls at midnight in rare and emergency conditions, etc.
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.