How To Become An IPS Officer? IPS Course After 12th 2026

How to Become an IPS Officer? – The Indian Police Service commonly referred to as IPS is a reputed position in the Indian Civil Services. However, the competition in becoming an IPS officer is quite high. It is however not impossible for a candidate to compete with other candidates and become an officer. Candidates are required to appear for an entrance examination which the central government conducts.

In order to become an IPS Officer, you must apply for the UPSC CSE exam. You must also crack the exam preliminary, mains and interview in order to get selected for the training. A candidate must be a citizen of India to become an IPS. The candidates must be at least 21 years of age.

• This is to point out that, Indian Police Service (IPS) is an elite branch of the All India Civil Services.
• Besides, IPS officers help the governments enforce law and order and deal with emergencies.
• It is most important to note that, the IPS is not a police force.
• This is to point out that, it is a group of specially-trained officials from which senior officers are recruited.
• Besides, senior IPS officers are recruited for various arms of the police force at the Central, State, and, at times, international levels.
• Moreover, it is a challenging role to play by keeping crime rates low through law.
• Besides, an IPS officer is looked upon as someone smart and capable.
• This is to point out that, the IPS came into being in 1948, after India’s independence.
• Besides, the newly set-up police force replaced the earlier Indian Imperial Police.
• It is most important to note that, as per the Constitution of India, the IPS is one of the most prestigious All India Services.

How to become an IPS officer

• To become an IPS officer, a candidate has to pass the Civil Services Exam conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC).
• Besides, the Civil Services Examination is also the qualifying exam for other services such as IAS, IRS, and IFS.
• It is most important to note that, the UPSC conducts the Civil Services Exam every year.
• This is to point out that, the dates and other details are notified on its website, in February.
• Besides, nearly 8 lakh candidates apply for the IPS each year, and around 150 are finally selected.

IPS Eligibility Criteria

Those who wish to pursue their career as an IPS Officer are required to fulfil certain eligibility criteria which are set by the central bodies who grant such posts. These criteria are to be mandatorily be fulfilled by the candidates without any exception. We have mentioned below the basic eligibility criteria for IPS role.

Age Limit

This is to point out that, only Indian citizens between the ages of 21 and 32 years can apply for this.

Besides, age relaxation in the IPS exam applies to some categories.

Basic Qualification

This is to point out that, graduates from a recognized university, or in the final year of their course, are eligible to appear in the Civil Services Exam.

Physical requirements

This is to point out that, an IPS officer has to be fit and healthy and meet the age and educational criteria.

It is most important to note that, male candidates should not be shorter than 165 cm.

This is to point out that, for women, the cut-off height is 150 cm.

However, there is a relaxation of 5 cm for candidates belonging to the STs and certain ethnic groups such as Gorkhas, Assamese, and Kumaonis.

• This is to point out that, the chest measurement for men is at least 84 cm and it is 79 cm for women.
• It is most important to note that, eyesight requirements should also be met.
• Besides, candidates with corrective measures, including spectacles and Lasik surgery, are allowed.
•  Moreover, those who have done refractive surgery should go to a special board of ophthalmologists for clearance.

Number of attempts

• This is to point out that, general category candidates are allowed six attempts to pass the Civil Services Exam.
• It is most important to note that, there is some relaxation for reserved categories.
• This is to point out that, failing in the Preliminary Examination is counted as one attempt.

Exam Syllabus

• It is most important to note that, the civil service exam consists of three parts – a written Preliminary Exam, the Main Exam followed by an Interview.
• Besides, those who pass all the three stages become eligible for IPS recruitment, but they pass the medical test.
• This is to point out that, this is conducted the day after the interview.
• Besides, a preliminary Exam is usually conducted in June, while the Main Exam is conducted in September.

How to apply for IPS Officer?

This is to point out that, application forms for the Civil Service Exams are available online.

• It is most important to note that, the application process is divided into two stages.
• Besides, firstly the candidates have to enter the required details such as name, gender, date of birth, father’s and mother’s names, nationality, etc.
• This is to point out that, candidates will also have to provide photo, identity card number, percentage of marks scored in the qualifying exam.
• Moreover, candidates also have to provide the language in which the candidate would like to write the exam and also the optional subjects.
• This is to point out that, in the second stage, candidates will have to pay the fees, select a center for writing the examination.
• Besides, candidates also have to upload photocopies of the required documents and the image of signature, and signing a declaration form.
• This is to point out that, after this, a registration slip is generated, which should be printed and kept for future use.
• It is most important to note that, candidates should complete both the stages before submitting the application form.
• This is to point out that, the application will not be considered if the form is submitted after completing just one stage.
• It is most important to note that, after this step, the UPSC will issue admit cards for the Preliminary Exam.
• This is to point out that, the admit cards can be downloaded from the UPSC website.
• Besides, Admit Cards for the Main Exams and Interview will be issued to only those candidates who clear the Preliminary Exam.

IPS Officer Exam pattern

This is to point out that, the preliminary exam consists of two papers –

• General Ability Test (GAT) and
• Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

• It is most important to note that, both have multiple-choice questions.
• This is to note that, the duration of the exam is two hours.
• It is most important to note that, each test is 400 marks.
• This is to point out that, the mains exam has a total of nine papers.
• Besides, the first two, English and Language (the candidate’s choice of any one language as per the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution).
• This to point out that, these papers are of qualifying nature.
• Hence, marks secured in these are not added to the total.

It is most important to note that, other papers are:

1. Essay (in the language of the candidate’s choice) – 250 Marks
2. General Studies I (Indian Heritage, Culture, History, Geography of the World and Society) – Total 250 Marks

• General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations) – Total 250 Marks

1. General Studies III (Technology, Economy, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) – Total 250 Marks
2. General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) – Total 250 Marks Optional Subject – Paper I and II, – 250 marks each paper

This is to point out that, all these seven papers consist of 1750 marks.

IPS Interview Pattern

• It is most important to note that, candidates who qualify in the Mains are selected for the Interview.
• This is to point out that, the interview consists of 275 marks.
• It is most important to note that, interview assesses the personality of the candidate.
• This is to point out that, marks secured in the interview are added to the marks in the written exam.
• Besides, the interview consists of a panel of six persons from different fields, headed by a Chairperson, ask the candidates the questions.
• Moreover, there is no fixed format for the interview, the questions could be of any type – straightforward or tricky, and on any topic.
• Besides, the interviewers notice originality, alertness, honesty, patience, commitment, and presence of mind of the candidate.
• This is to point out that, the duration of the interview can be 45 minutes to an hour.
• It is most important to note that, that depending on the candidate’s ranking and preference, IPS allotment is given.

IPS Training Course

This is to point out that, the selected candidates for IPS officers, get training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.

•  Besides, they are trained together with candidates who have cleared the other UPSC exams.
• This is to point out that, the duration of this course is three months.
• Besides, it gives Officer Trainees (OTs) an insight into the political, economic, and cultural background of the country.
• Moreover, the training teaches them discipline and the rules of interacting with society.
• Besides, the candidates later attend a separate 11-month IPS training course at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad.
• This is to point out that, it is the Basic Training Course, where the OTs are molded into police officers.
• It is most important to note that, the subjects taught include, criminology, physical fitness, internal security, and human rights.
• This is to point out that, the OTs are also trained in armed and unarmed combat and tactics of prosecution and law enforcement.
• Besides, they are also sent to the Army, Air Force, Navy, and other branches of the Armed Forces to understand the working of these entities.
• Moreover, there’s also a two-week Bharat Darshan Tour, where the OTs are the gain first-hand experience of India’s diversities.
• This is to point out that, after completing the Basic Training, OTs are known as probationers.
• It is most important to note that, the next phase of the training is conducted at the state police academies.
• This is to point out that, in this course, the candidates are taught about the State and the basics of the regional language.
• Besides, there’s practical training where the probationers are posted as Station House Officers.
• Moreover, they are given the responsibility of managing police stations and are attached to District Police Headquarters for the experience.
• This is to point out that, the duration of the IPS training may extend up to two years.

IPS Officer Ranks

• It is most important to note that, after training, an IPS officer is usually posted as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
• Besides, after four years, the officer is promoted to the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police, also called Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police.
• This is to point out that, the next rank is Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police.
• After that, the officer is promoted to Senior Superintendent of Police / Deputy Commissioner of Police.
• This is to point out that, the next rank is Deputy Inspector General of Police / Additional Commissioner of Police.
• After that, the next rank is of Inspector General of Police / Joint Commissioner of Police.
• This is to point out that, the next rank is of Additional Director General of Police / Special Commissioner of Police.
• It is most important to note that, the last rank is Director General of Police / Commissioner of Police.

IPS officer salary

This is to point out that, as per the Seventh Pay Commission, the basic pay of a Deputy Superintendent of Police is fixed at Rs 56,100 per month.

Besides, there is an increase in an IPS officer’s salary and perks with every promotion.

Moreover, a Director General of Police or Commissioner of Police has a basic pay of Rs.

2, 25,000 per month.

IPS Officer Roles and Responsibilities

The Indian Police Service is a responsible post to hold and the candidates are required to fulfil certain duties. Candidates who are sincere and can cope up with situations are only offered such posts. We have mentioned below some of the roles and responsibilities which you might need to follow after getting the role of an IPS Officer.

• Firstly, law enforcement and safeguarding the public,
• Secondly, investigating crimes including those relating to banned substances,
• Thirdly, ensuring national security,
• Besides, overseeing the efficiency of traffic,
• Moreover, seeing that prisons and penalties are well managed,
• Besides, economic offenders booked and further offenses prevented,
• Moreover, keeping railway passengers safe, taking charge of the security of VIPs
• Besides, they also take part in disaster management.

IPS officer career options

There are a number of career opportunities which are open for those who have become an IPS Officer. The IPS Officers hold various roles at the CBI, Civil Police Forces, and other government job roles in the field of justice and security. We have mentioned below some more career options which you can pursue after getting the post of an IPS Officer.

• This is to point out that, IPS officers can be chosen to head Intelligence Agencies like the CBI, Intelligence Bureau.
• Besides, they can also be chosen for Research & Analysis Wing, Federal Law Enforcement.
• Moreover, they are also appointed in Vigilance Agencies and various Civil Police Forces.
• Besides, they are also posted in Armed Police Forces and paramilitary forces such as the BSF, CRPF.
• This is to point out that, they are also deployed in Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the National Security Guards.
• Besides, IPS officers can also be posted in various autonomous organizations and public sector units.
•  This is to point out that, they are even posted in international bodies including the United Nations.
• It is most important to point out that, they can also serve as personal secretaries to Ministers in the Central Government.