Current Scenario> Current Indian Police System> The Police hierarchy> Recruitment

The current recruitment to the Indian police force is made at four different levels. On one hand the recruitment process can be more efficient having one recruitment process at each level, dealing with fewer applicants than having only one recruitment process for all police recruits. But on the other hand it bars the recruits of the lower ranks to be promoted to the next level. In reality this four level system has led to a very discrepant system. The four levels are:

                     1. Indian Police Service (IPS) level;

                     2. Deputy Superintendent of Police level (Dy. SP);

                     3. Sub-Inspector/ Assistant Sub-inspector level (SI/ASI);

                     4. Constable level

The minimum qualifications prescribed for each level is different. While applicants to the three top levels need a graduation degree, an applicant for the constable level only needs a High School degree as minimum qualification. The minimum age is 18 years and the upper age limit varies from 20- 27 years of age depending on the state.

Recruitments to the different levels in the police force are done separately from each other. The  IPS police officers are directly recruited to their level. Usually, once a police officer is recruited to one level, he or she stays in this level with few possibilities to rise in the ranks. The worst example is the police constables, lowest in ranks and closest to the people, who have no opportunity to reach any higher than Head Constable.

The Indian Police Service (IPS) recruits through written tests, personality tests and interviews. Police officers who get accepted into the IPS will start with the lowest rank of Assistant Superintendent with the theoretical possibility to get promoted to DGP. The applicants to the IPS need the minimum qualification of a college degree.

Recruitment to Deputy Superintendent (Dy. SP) is done by a written examination and interview. The Dy. SP and Sub-Inspectors (SI) are either directly recruited or promoted. The State Public Service Commission, in general, recruits SI centrally. The test involves physical efficiency tests, written examination, mentally ability test and interview.

Constables are recruited on district level directly to the police force. The tests involve physical measurements, efficiency tests, written examination, interview, medical examination and police verification