The IPS Full Form in English is Indian Police Service (आईपीएस का फुल फॉर्म भारतीय पुलिस सेवा है). It is one of the All India Civil Services that manages the country’s administration. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees the IPS cadres. The service was established in 1948, succeeding the Indian Imperial Police.
The primary responsibilities of the IPS include maintaining law and order, ensuring the safety and security of citizens, and can be deputed to various other law enforcement agencies such as the Central Armed Police Forces. These include the Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), as well as the National Security Guard (NSG).
Selection for the IPS is conducted through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which recruits for over 20 civil services. The IPS is a top choice among candidates due to its prestige, spirit of service, dedication, and the significant impact it allows an individual to make.
What is the IPS Full Form?
The IPS Full Form in English is Indian Police Service. It is one of the three arms of the All India Services, alongside the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS). An IPS officer is responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens by maintaining law and order. They provide leadership and command to state and union territory police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the National Security Guard (NSG), and other security agencies.
History of IPS
The Indian Police Service (IPS) has its origins in the British colonial era, where it was known as the Imperial Police. Post-independence, reforms allowed Indian nationals to enter the service, and in 1948, it was renamed the Indian Police Service.
Eligibility Criteria to Become an IPS Officer
- Nationality: Must be an Indian national.
- Age: Minimum age of 21 years.
- Education: Must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.
- Physical Fitness: Must meet the required physical fitness standards.
- Attempt Limit: For Unreserved and EWS categories, a maximum of 6 attempts at the exam is allowed.
Recruitment and Training of an IPS Officer
IPS officers are recruited through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates must indicate their preference for IPS or IAS while filling out the application. Training for selected candidates starts with a 3-month joint foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, followed by specialized training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad, which lasts about a year and includes both physical fitness and law enforcement training.
Functions and Responsibilities of IPS Officers
IPS officers are tasked with maintaining law and order, preventing and investigating crimes, and ensuring the safety of citizens. They command state and union territory police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and the National Security Guard (NSG). Their responsibilities also include crime prevention, detection, intelligence collection, counterintelligence, railway policing, drug trafficking, corruption, smuggling, and disaster management. Additionally, IPS officers provide security to VIPs, including the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers, and collaborate with domestic police services to handle emergencies and maintain public order.
Salary of an IPS Officer
The IPS offers a competitive salary and several benefits. As per the 7th Pay Commission, the IPS pay scale is based on the basic salary plus Travel Allowance (TA), Dearness Allowance (DA), and House Rent Allowance (HRA). The starting basic salary for an IPS officer is ₹56,100 per month.
Top Post for an IPS Officer
The Chief of the Indian Police Service
The Director General of Police (DGP) is the highest-ranking officer in a state’s police force. Awarded three stars, the DGP is the top police official in both Indian Union Territories and States. All DGPs are recruited from the Indian Police Service. The DGP leads the state police force and, in most Indian states, holds significant authority. The basic salary of a DGP starts from ₹80,000 per month.
Cadre Controlling Authority for IPS
The Cadre Controlling Authority manages the transfer and posting of IPS officers. The Ministry of Home Affairs serves as the Cadre Controlling Authority for the IPS, with the Union Home Minister being the reporting authority for these officers.
For more detailed information regarding cadre distribution, ranks, and salary specifics, aspirants can visit the IPS (Indian Police Service) Salary and Ranks page.
Dress Code
On duty, IPS officers are required to wear their uniforms, which are typically khaki in color.
All positions in the IPS come with specific duties and benefits. To attain top positions within the IPS, candidates must achieve high scores in the UPSC exams. The highest positions are reserved for individuals with extensive expertise in their fields. Achieving a top rank in the UPSC exams is essential for those aspiring to hold prominent positions in the Indian government.
Strategies to Build Police-Community Relations
Rapid Response to Crime Scenes:
Quick presence of IPS officers at crime scenes helps alleviate public anxiety and allows officers to gather immediate, firsthand information about the incident. Engaging with the community during these moments can foster trust and cooperation.
Community Involvement in Investigations:
Discussing the challenges faced by police during investigations with the community helps in collecting valuable information and understanding the overall context of the crime. This collaborative approach enhances transparency and builds a rapport between the police and the community.
Transparency and Communication:
Maintaining transparency with the public is crucial for gathering accurate information. Clear communication about ongoing investigations and police actions helps the community understand and trust the police’s efforts.
Reducing Bias and Enhancing Cultural Competency:
Officers should take steps to minimize bias within the community. Improving cultural competencies among police officers helps in better understanding and addressing the unique needs and concerns of diverse communities.
Visibility and Engagement:
IPS officers should maintain a visible presence in the community to identify and address suspicious activities. Regular engagement with residents can help build trust and encourage the sharing of critical information.
Environmental Factors that Help IPS Track Crimes
Permissive Families and Neighborhoods:
Understanding the dynamics within families and neighborhoods can provide insights into crime patterns and potential suspects.
Peer Groups and Witnesses:
Peer groups and eyewitnesses are valuable sources of information. Building trust within these groups can lead to more effective crime-solving.
Social Factors:
Education, community environment, peer influences, and the presence of drugs and alcohol are crucial social factors that impact crime rates. Addressing these factors can help in crime prevention and resolution.
Psychological Factors:
Identifying and understanding the psychological aspects of individuals involved in crimes adds complexity to investigations but is essential for comprehensive resolutions. IPS officers must consider these factors while tracking and solving crimes.
Salary and Perks of an IPS Officer
The Central Government appoints a Pay Commission to regularly review the salaries of its officers, ensuring they remain aligned with inflation. The latest, the 7th Pay Commission, has recommended the following salaries for IPS officers:
| IPS Rank in State/Central Police Force | Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Director General of Police/Director General of IB or CBI | 2,25,000 |
| Director General of Police | 2,05,400 |
| Inspector General of Police | 1,44,200 |
| Deputy Inspector General of Police | 1,31,100 |
| Senior Superintendent of Police | 78,800 |
| Additional Superintendent of Police | 67,700 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police | 56,100 |
Perks
An IPS officer enjoys a respectable salary and numerous perks that ensure a comfortable lifestyle. Their role allows them to make a significant impact on society and they are held in high esteem.
Accommodation:
IPS officers receive luxurious housing according to their seniority and rank, along with support for maintenance, such as house help, a cook, and a gardener.
Transport:
Officers are provided with vehicles and designated drivers to perform their duties effectively.
Security:
Due to the nature of their positions, IPS officers and their families receive protection.
Bills:
Utilities such as water, electricity, phone, and gas are either free or heavily subsidized.
Trips:
Official travel expenses are covered by the government, and officers also receive Leave Travel Allowance.
Study Leave:
After seven years of service, IPS officers can apply for study leave, provided they commit to continuing their service afterward.
Job Security:
Article 311 of the Indian Constitution provides tenure security, with a stringent process for removal only after an extensive investigation.
Retirement Benefits
National Pension Scheme:
Both the IPS officer and the government contribute to the NPS during service, which can be utilized post-retirement. These contributions are tax-free.
Post-Retirement Positions:
IPS officers can be appointed to various commissions and other government or social service positions after retirement.
Dress Code of IPS Officers
While on duty, IPS officers are required to wear khaki uniforms as specified in the Indian Police Service (Uniform) Rules, 1954.
Cadres & Postings of IPS Officers
The cadre allocation policy was revised in 2017, dividing all states and union territories into five zones:
Zone I:
AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories), Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
Zone II:
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Zone III:
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
Zone IV:
West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam-Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, and Nagaland.
Zone V:
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
IPS officers must indicate their preferences in descending order when choosing a service.
IPS Training
New IPS officers undergo almost two years of training or a probationary period. The first part of this training is a three-month Foundation Course common to all new UPSC CSE recruits. This course takes place at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. Following the Foundation Course, IPS probationers proceed to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad.
The training for IPS officers includes both district training and various indoor and outdoor subjects. The subjects and their respective marks are as follows:
Outdoor Subjects
| Subject | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
| Drill (comprising Ceremonial Drill and Sword Drill) | 100 |
| Physical Fitness | 80 |
| Equitation | 40 |
| Field Craft, Tactics, and Map Reading | 200 |
| First Aid and Ambulance Drill | 20 |
| Swimming | 25 |
| Unarmed Combat | 30 |
| Yoga | 25 |
Eligibility and Attempts for the IPS Exam
Eligibility Criteria:
Educational Qualification:
Candidates must hold a graduate degree from any recognized university in India. There is no minimum percentage required; all graduates are eligible to apply. Final-year students can also appear for the UPSC Preliminary exam, but they must produce their final year graduation pass certificate during the application for the Mains examination. This includes final-year MBBS/Medical degree students who have not yet completed their internship.
Age Criteria:
Candidates must be at least 21 years old as of August 1st of the year of the notification. The upper age limits vary based on category:
| Category | Upper Age Limit | Maximum Number of Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| General | 32 | 6 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 32 | 6 |
| OBC | 35 | 9 |
| SC/ST | 37 | Unlimited |
| Defence Services Personnel | 35 | 9 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | 35 | 9 |
Physical Qualifications for the Post of an IPS Officer
| Category | Eligibility for Male | Eligibility for Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 165 cm for unreserved candidates, 160 cm for OBC, SC & ST | 150 cm for unreserved candidates, 145 cm for other categories |
| Chest | Minimum 84 cm, expansion 5 cm | Minimum 79 cm, expansion 5 cm |
| Eyesight | 6/6 or 6/9 distant vision for good eye, 6/12 or 6/9 for worst eye | 6/6 or 6/9 distant vision for good eye, 6/12 or 6/9 for worst eye |
Medical Examination:
A medical examination is conducted for candidates, and those who fail can appeal for another medical examination. If they are unable to clear it, they are not allotted IPS service but given their next choice/preference.
Exam Pattern:
The Civil Services Exam, conducted by the UPSC every year, is the gateway to becoming an IPS officer. It is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Prelims Stage:
The Preliminary Exam is a qualifying exam with two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (Aptitude Test). The question paper is set in both Hindi and English. While GS Paper I determines if you make it to the next round, it is essential to clear the CSAT paper with a minimum of 33% marks.
| Prelims Exam Pattern | General Studies I | General Studies II (CSAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Type | MCQ | MCQ |
| Maximum Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Cut Off Marks | Counted for Merit. Cut-off varies every year. | 33% qualifying criteria (66 marks) |
| Negative Marking | Yes, 0.66 marks deducted for wrong answer | Yes, 0.83 marks deducted for wrong answer |
| Total Questions | 100 | 80 |
| Duration of Exam | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Language of Paper | English & Hindi | English & Hindi |
The top around 10,000 students clear the exam from around 5,00,000 students who appear for the exam, on average.
Syllabus for the Prelims Exam:
| Paper | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GS Paper I | Current Events | National and international events of importance |
| History | India and Indian National Movement | |
| Geography | Indian and World’s Physical, Social, and Economic Geography | |
| Indian Polity & Governance | Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. | |
| Economic & Social Development | Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. | |
| Environment & Ecology | General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity, and Climate Change | |
| General Science | Fundamental concepts of Physics, Technology, Biology, etc. | |
| CSAT | Comprehension, General Mental Ability | Logical Reasoning & Analytical abilities, Interpersonal Skills, Decision Making, etc. |
| Basic numeracy and Data interpretation | Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level) |
Mains Stage:
Candidates who clear the Prelims Exam write the Mains Exam, which is a descriptive-type exam with nine papers totaling 1750 marks. This stage assesses understanding, articulation abilities, and conceptual clarity.
| Paper | Topic | Marks | Time Allotted | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 | 3 hours | 2 questions |
| Paper-II | GS1: Art & Culture, History, Geography & Society | 250 | 3 hours | 20 questions |
| Paper-III | GS2: Governance, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations | 250 | 3 hours | 20 questions |
| Paper-IV | GS3: Science & Technology, Economy, Disaster Management, Ecology, and Internal Security | 250 | 3 hours | 20 questions |
| Paper-V | GS4: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude | 250 | 3 hours | 13 Theory Questions |
| 6 Case Studies | ||||
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 | 3 hours | 19 questions |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 | 3 hours | 19 questions |
| Paper A | Compulsory Paper Indian Language from Schedule 8 | 300 (secure 25%) | 3 hours | 6 questions |
| Paper B | Compulsory English Language Paper | 300 (secure 25%) | 3 hours | 5 questions |
Six of these papers are three hours long with approximately 20 questions each, while the essay paper has two questions. The word limit is between 150 to 250 words for the General Studies and Optional Papers, and around 1000-1200 words for the essays.
The two language papers are qualifying in nature: ‘Paper A’ for any Indian language from the Eight Schedule and ‘Paper B’ for the English language. The maximum marks that can be secured at this stage are 1750.
INTERVIEW STAGE
Personality Test: The top-performing candidates of the Mains Exam are invited for the Personality Test, an interview-type assessment worth 275 marks. A board of unbiased senior Civil Servants conducts the interview to evaluate the candidate’s mental alertness, critical thinking, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interests, social cohesion and leadership abilities, and intellectual and moral integrity. Each interview lasts about 20-30 minutes.
How to Clear the IPS Exam
The UPSC/IPS Civil Services Exam (CSE) is a lengthy journey requiring 1-2 years of preparation and around another year for the exam process, which begins in May/June and lasts until February/March of the following year. Here are some key steps to secure your selection:
Understand the Exam Pattern, Eligibility, and Syllabus: Read the notification thoroughly to understand all requirements.
Know PYQs:
Solving previous years’ question papers (5-10 years) helps you understand the UPSC exam pattern and the types of questions asked. It also helps identify frequently tested topics.
Decide When to Attempt CSE:
The Prelims Exam is conducted in May/June every year. Plan your attempt considering eligibility requirements (maximum age) and preparation time.
Prepare a Strategy:
Create a personalized plan based on your needs, educational background, and abilities. You can draw inspiration from previous toppers. Our ‘Topper’s Journey’ tab provides strategies from past successful candidates. Depending on your situation (working professional, college student, full-time aspirant), decide on self-study or coaching/test series. Chahal IAS Academy offers affordable and accessible study courses for all types of candidates.
Choose an Optional Subject:
This is a significant decision as you will spend 2-4 months on optional preparation. Our article ‘How to choose an optional subject for IAS-UPSC Exam?’ provides detailed guidance.
Finalize Your Sources:
Basic books like NCERTs form the backbone of preparation. Our article ‘Comprehensive Reference Materials for UPSC-CSE Exam’ offers a curated book list by experts to get you started.
Cover Current Affairs Smartly:
Regularly read newspapers and current affairs materials. Our article ‘How to Start Current Affairs Preparation for IAS/IPS/UPSC Civil Services Exam’ offers practical tips.
Make a Timetable & Notes:
A daily study plan helps manage time effectively and prevents feeling overwhelmed. Include regular revisions and mock tests to identify strengths and weaknesses. Regular answer-writing practice is crucial for improvement.
Challenges of the IPS Service:
While the IPS service offers numerous benefits, it also comes with challenges:
Overburdened:
High vacancy rates and large population lead to excessive workload.
Long Working Hours:
Limited time for personal life and potential burnout.
Outdated Equipment:
Lack of modern technology and tools impacts efficiency due to funding issues and bureaucratic delays.
High Stress: Constant exposure to challenging situations can affect mental health. Officers routinely deal with crime scenes, dead bodies, and criminal elements.
Physical Fitness Requirements:
The service is physically demanding and requires regular exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IPS Full Form?
The IPS Full Form in English is Indian Police Service.
What is the primary role of an IPS officer?
An IPS officer is responsible for maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crimes, managing traffic, counter-terrorism, and other law enforcement activities. They also lead and command the Indian Police Forces at both the state and central levels.
How can one become an IPS officer?
To become an IPS officer, a candidate must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This involves three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Personality Test (Interview).
What are the eligibility criteria for the IPS exam?
Candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university and be between the ages of 21 and 32 (with age relaxations for reserved categories). They must also meet specific physical standards related to height, chest, and eyesight.
What is the training process for an IPS officer?
IPS officers undergo nearly two years of rigorous training. It begins with a three-month Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, followed by specialized training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad. This training includes both theoretical and practical aspects of policing, law, and leadership.
Conclusion
The IPS Full Form in English is Indian Police Service, is a prestigious and critical arm of the All India Services, responsible for maintaining law and order across India. As a key component in the country’s law enforcement framework, IPS officers play a vital role in ensuring public safety, managing crime prevention, and leading various police forces at the state and national levels.
To become an IPS officer, candidates must clear the rigorous Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC, which tests their knowledge, analytical skills, and personality. The training for IPS officers is intensive and spans nearly two years, encompassing both foundational and specialized aspects of policing and leadership.
The IPS offers a dynamic and challenging career with significant responsibilities, including ensuring public peace, investigating crimes, and providing leadership in critical situations. Despite the demanding nature of the role, including long hours and high-stress situations, it provides immense respect, a competitive salary, and numerous perks.
