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IPS Officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing crimes and investigating them, and ensuring the safety and security of the public. To become an IPS Officer, candidates have to pursue a bachelor’s degree in any discipline after class 12. They have to prepare for the prelims and main stages of the UPSC CSE exam and then appear in the interview to get selected as an IPS officer. The base salary of an IPS officer is INR 56,100 per month. The highest salary of an IPS officer is that of a DGP who earns up to INR 2.25 L per month.
Read:
Table of Contents
- How to Become an IPS Officer: Quick Facts
- What are the Qualifications to Become an IPS Officer?
- What is the Eligibility to Become an IPS Officer?
- What are the Types of IPS Officers?
- Courses to Become an IPS Officer
5.1 Entrance Exams
How to Become an IPS Officer: Quick Facts
| Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| Starting Salary (INR) | 56,100 per month |
| Highest Salary (INR) | 2,25,000 per month |
What are the Qualifications to Become an IPS Officer?
Candidates are generally required to meet certain educational qualifications to become IPS Officers which are discussed below.
- Candidates must pass clear class 12th board exams with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised board.
- Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to appear in the CSE exam.
- They must clear the prelims and mains stage of the UPSC CSE exam in order to be eligible for a personal interview.
What is the Eligibility to Become an IPS Officer?
There are certain eligibility criteria set by UPSC that candidates have to fulfil to become an IPS Officer as discussed below.
- Basic Eligibility
- Candidates must be citizens of India when applying for the CSE exam.
- The minimum age to appear in the exam is 21 years while the maximum is 32 years.
- There are age relaxations for candidates not belonging to the general category.
- Educational Qualification
- Candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- Number of Attempts
- General category candidates can appear in the exam only 6 times while candidates belonging to the OBC community can appear 9 times.
- There are no attempt restrictions for SC/ST candidates.
- Candidates should meet medical and health standards as per examination rules.
What are the Types of IPS Officers?
IPS Officers can be of many types based on their designations. Their roles and functions are as follows.
- Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) - Supervise a division smaller than a district and assist SP in heading the whole district. They earn up to INR 77,325 as a salary.
- Additional Superintendent of Police - Assist Superintendent of Police in his control of duties and supervision. They earn up to INR 67,700 as a salary.
- Superintendent of Police (SP) - Maintain law and order, ensure public safety and enforce laws within the jurisdiction. The salary of an SP is INR 78,800.
- Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) - Enforce and lead law management at the district level. The average salary of an SSP is INR 1.18 L in India.
- Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) - Ensure smooth functioning of law enforcement across multiple districts and also oversee specialised units within the police force. DIGP earns INR 1.31 L as a salary.
- Inspector-General of Police (IGP) - The highest-ranking officer who serves as the head of the police force and acts as a link between the government and law agencies. IGP earns up to INR 1.44 L in salary.
- Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) - Responsible for investigating major crimes and ensuring that the police force is equipped with the necessary resources and skills. The average salary of an ADGP is INR 2.05 L.
- Director-General of Police (DGP) - Provide leadership, strategic direction and management to the police department. The average salary of a DGP is INR 2.25 L.
Courses to Become an IPS Officer?
No specific courses are available for candidates who want to become IPS Officers. Candidates have to obtain a bachelor’s degree in any discipline which is one of the eligibility criteria set by UPSC as discussed below.
| Parameters | BCom | BA LLB | BA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Class 12 | Class 12 | Class 12 |
| Entrance Exams | CUET, IPU CET, NPAT, SUAT | CLAT, MH CET Law, LSAT | CUET, IPU CET |
| Top Colleges | Delhi University, Calcutta University, Mumbai University | NLSIU, National Law University, NALSAR University of Law | Hindu College, Miranda House, Christ University, Ramjas College |
| Course Fees | INR 2,500 - 65,000 | INR 1,50,000 - 4,00,000 | INR 5,000 - 80,000 |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 2.4 LPA - 5.4 LPA | INR 3 LPA - 6 LPA | INR 3.6 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | E&Y, Accenture, Genpact, TCS, Capgemini, Wipro | AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co, Trilegal, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas | Indian Civil Service, TATA Consultancy, High Lantern Group, Nat West |
Entrance Exams
Candidates are required to appear in Civil Services Exam (CSE) conducted by UPSC to become IPS Officers.
| Entrance Exam | Application Deadlines (Tentative) | Exam Dates (Tentative) | Result Declaration (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE | March 5, 2025 | May 26, 2025 (Prelims) September 20, 2025 (Mains) |
June, 2025 (Prelims) Result date for Main’s exam to be notified. |
What are the Skills Required to Become an IPS Officer?
IPS Officers are required to possess a variety of skills to effectively carry out their responsibilities. Some of the top skills are tabulated below.
| Leadership | Communication skills | Decision-making |
| Problem-solving skills | Critical thinking | Adaptability |
| Teamwork | Time management | Negotiation skills |
What are the Benefits of Becoming an IPS Officer?
IPS officer is an attractive career choice with a range of benefits and opportunities. Some of the key benefits include.
- Social Impact and Public Service: IPS Officers directly impact society by maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety.
- Prestige and Respect: IPS officers' role as law enforcers and protectors garner them respect and recognition in society.
- Job Security: IPS positions, generally offer high job security with permanent positions and retirement benefits.
- Career Growth: IPS Officers have career progression opportunities with promotions and advancements based on their performance, skills and experience.
Salary of an IPS Officer
IPS Officers receive salaries based on the 7th pay commission in India. The base salary of an IPS officer is INR 56,100 per month. The highest salary of an IPS officer is of a DGP which earns up to INR 2.25 L per month.
The average salaries for different IPS officer ranks are mentioned in the table below.
| Designations | Average Monthly Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Director General of Police | 2.25 L |
| Additional Director General of Police | 2.05 L |
| Inspector General of Police | 1.44 L |
| Deputy Inspector General of Police | 1.31 L |
| Senior Superintendent of Police | 78,800 |
| Additional Superintendent of Police | 67,700 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police | 56,100 |
How to Become an IPS Officer: FAQs
Ques. What is the qualification for IPS?
Ans. Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree in any stream and have to clear the UPSC CSE exam.
Ques. Can a 12th-pass candidate become an IPS Officer?
Ans. Yes, candidates who have cleared class 12 can become IPS Officers. They have to pursue a bachelor’s degree followed by clearing the UPSC CSE exam.
Ques. Can I become an IPS without the UPSC?
Ans. No, to become an IPS officer it is mandatory to clear the UPSC CSE exam.
Ques. Can I become an IPS in 2 years?
Ans. Becoming an IPS officer involves clearing the UPSC CSE exam which generally takes more than 2 years.
Ques. Is the IPS exam difficult?
Ans. Due to the comprehensive syllabus and extremely competitive nature, the IPS exam is considered challenging.
Ques. Which is bigger IAS or IPS?
Ans. IAS officers are ranked top, followed by IPS Officers in All India Services.
Ques. Does IPS require height?
Ans. Yes, there is a height requirement for selection in the IPS. Male candidates must be 165 cm tall while female candidates are required to be 150 cm.
Ques. What subject is best for IPS?
Ans. There are no specific subjects for becoming an IPS officer. A bachelor’s degree is required which can be pursued in any stream.
Ques. Is there an age limit for IPS?
Ans. The minimum age to appear in the exam is 21 years while the maximum is 32 years. There are age relaxations for reserved category students.
Ques. Can I crack IPS on the first attempt?
Ans. Cracking IPS on the first attempt is possible, but it requires extensive preparation, dedication and a deep understanding of the exam’s content and format.
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