Indian Police Service

The Indian Police Service (abbr. IPS) is a civil service under the All India Services. It replaced the Indian Imperial Police in 1948, a year after India became independent from the British Empire.
Along with the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS), the IPS is part of the All India Services – its officers are employed by both the Union Government and by individual states.
The service provides leadership to various state and central police forces, including the Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, SSB, CRPF, CISF, and ITBP), the National Security Guard (NSG), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Special Protection Group (SPG), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In 1861, the Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced the Indian Councils Act, 1861. The act created the foundation of a modern and professional police bureaucracy in India. It introduced a new cadre of police, called Superior Police Services, later known as the Indian Imperial Police. The highest rank in the service was the inspector general for each province. The rank of inspector general was equated to that of a brigadier, and similar ranks in the Indian Armed Forces, as per a central warrant of precedence issued in 1937.
In 1902–1903, a police commission was established to recommend reforms under Sir Andrew Fraser and Lord Curzon. It recommended the appointment of Indians as officers in the police. Previously, Indians could rise only to the rank of an inspector, the senior N.C.O. position. However they were not part of the Indian Imperial Police.
From 1920 onward, the Indian Imperial Police was open to Indians and the entrance examination for the service was conducted both in India and England.
Prior to Independence, senior police officers belonging to the Imperial Police (IP) were appointed by the secretary of state on the basis of a competitive examination. The first open civil service examination for admittance to the service was held in England in June 1893 and the ten top candidates were appointed as probationers in the Indian Imperial Police. It is not possible to identify an exact date for when the Indian Police Service came formally into being.
Around 1907, the secretary of state's officers were directed to wear the letters "IP" on their epaulettes in order to distinguish them from other officers not recruited by the secretary through examination. Therefore, 1907 could be regarded as the starting point for the IPS. In 1948, a year after India gained independence; the Imperial Police was formally replaced by the Indian Police Service.
The Indian Police Service was created under Article 312(2), XIV of the Constitution of India.
As per media reports, there is a massive shortage of IPS officers in India, amounting to nearly 19% to 22% of the sanctioned strength.
Despite having a very small cadre strength, many IPS officers have been awarded the highest gallantry awards (Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra). The current national security advisor of India, Ajit Doval, was an IPS officer who earned the Kirti Chakra for his gallant actions during operation Black Thunder. Though generally deployed in supervisory roles at senior levels, it is not uncommon for IPS officers to be in the field taking active part in maintaining law and order. IPS officers have been posted to various UN Missions and several have been awarded the United Nations Medal. Many exceptional IPS officers have been awarded with Padma awards from time to time.
The First Police Commission, appointed on 17 August 1865, contained detailed guidelines for the desired system of police in India and defined the police as a governmental department to enforce the law, maintain order and to detect and prevent crime across the region. The Indian Police Service is not a force but a service providing leaders and commanders to staff the state police and all-India Central Armed Police Forces. Its members are the senior officers of the police. With time Indian Police Service's objectives were updated and redefined, the current roles and functions of an Indian Police Service Officer are as follows:
IPS officers are recruited from Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. They are also promoted from State Police Services and DANIPS. However, at present, recruitment from Limited Competitive Examination has been put on hold.
The training of IPS officer recruits is conducted at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. The authorized cadre strength of the Indian Police Service is 4920. (3270 Direct Recruitment Posts and 1650 Promotional Posts). The Civil List of IPS officers is an updated (annual) list maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India that lists the posting details of all IPS officers in India. This Civil List can be accessed from the MHA website. It allows searching for an IPS officer based on their name, Batch, or Cadre.
After completion of almost 2 years training, IPS probationers are awarded a master's degree in criminal justice management from NALSAR University of Law.
The Union Government announced a new cadre allocation policy for the All India Services in August 2017, touting it as a policy to ensure national integration of the bureaucracy as officers and ensure the All-India character of the services. Under the new policy, the existing 26 cadres have been divided into five zones in the new policy by the Department of Personnel and Training of Government of India.
Under the new policy, a candidate has to first give their choice in the descending order of preference from amongst the various Zones. Subsequently, the candidate has to indicate one preference of cadre from each preferred zone. The candidate indicates their second cadre preference for every preferred zone subsequently. The process continues till a preference for all the cadres is indicated by the candidate. The preference for the zones/cadres remains in the same order and no change is permitted.
Officers continue to work in the cadre they are allotted or are deputed to the Government of India.
Till 2008 there was no system of preference of state cadre by the candidates; the candidates, if not placed in the insider vacancy of their home states, were allotted to different states in alphabetical order of the roster, beginning with the letters A, H, M, T for that particular year. For example, if in a particular year, the roster begins from 'A', which means the first candidate on the roster will go to the Andhra Pradesh state cadre of IPS, the next one to Bihar, and subsequently to Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and so on in alphabetical order. The next year the roster starts from 'H', for either Haryana or Himachal Pradesh (if it has started from Haryana on the previous occasion when it all started from 'H', then this time it would start from Himachal Pradesh). This highly intricate system, in vogue since the mid-1980s, had ensured that officers from different states were placed all over India.
The system of permanent state cadres has also resulted in wide disparities in the kind of professional exposure for officers when we compare officers in small and big and also developed and backward states. Changes of state cadre are permitted on grounds of marriage to an All India Service officer of another state cadre or under other exceptional circumstances. The officer may go to their home state cadre on deputation for a limited period, after which one has to invariably return to the cadre allotted to him or her.
From 2008 to 2017 IPS officers were allotted to state cadres at the beginning of their service. There was one cadre for each Indian state, except for two joint cadres: Assam–Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh–Goa–Mizoram–Union Territories (AGMUT). The "insider-outsider ratio" (ratio of officers who were posted in their home states) is maintained as 1:2, with one-third of the direct recruits as 'insiders' from the same state. The rest were posted as outsiders according to the 'roster' in states other than their home states, as per their preference.
Though the standard uniform colour is khaki, the ranks, posts and designations of IPS officers vary from state to state as law and order is a federalism in India. But generally the following pattern is observed.
IPS officers are appointed on the basis of either Civil Service Examination or promoted from the state police service cadre (state civil service officers). Vacancy in an IPS cadre are determined on the basis of vacancy on an Superintendent of Police rank. Consequently, there are two level of gradations for SP rank. These are level 11 and 12 as per the Seventh Pay Commission. Resultantly, IPS officers remain on the rank on SP till the 13th year after which they are eligible for being promoted as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). ASP rank is the junior most rank on an IPS state cadre. Consequently, fresh recruits to IPS are variously posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in a supernumerary capacity (only for training purpose for two years and after that for 1 year) till they are formally placed as Superintendent of Police In-Charge of an area (when they get the pay of level 11 and level 12) and as district in charge (when they get the pay of level 12) (only in non-metropolitan districts). When the officers get promoted to the rank of SSP, some of them are posted as the district in-charge of metropolitan districts.
India's police continue to be governed by a colonial police law passed in 1861. The Indian Constitution makes policing a state subject and therefore the state governments have the responsibility to provide their communities with a police service. However, after independence, most have adopted the 1861 Act without change, while others have passed laws heavily based on the 1861 Act.
Repeated major incidents, like the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, 2020 Hathras gang rape and murder, as well as terrorist attacks such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks revealed the failure of the police to uphold the rule of law.
The need for police reform in India has long been recognised. There have been almost 30 years of debate and discussion by government-created committees and commissions on the way forward for police reform, but India remains saddled with an outdated and old-fashioned law, while report after report gathers dust on government bookshelves without implementation. Many committees on police reform have recommended major reforms in the police system coupled with systematic accountability.
The National Police Commission was the first committee set up by the Government of India to report on policing. The National Police Commission began sitting in 1979, in the context of a post-Emergency India, and produced eight reports, including a Model Police Act, between 1979 and 1981.
In 1996, two former senior police officers filed a Public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, asking for the Court to direct governments to implement the recommendations of the National Police Commission. The Supreme Court directed the government to set up a committee to review the commission's recommendations, and thus the Ribeiro Committee was formed. The committee, under the leadership of Julio Ribeiro, a former chief of police, sat over 1998 and 1999, and produced two reports.
In 2000, the government set up a third committee on police reform, this time under the stewardship of a former union home secretary, K. Padmanabhaiah. This Committee released its report in the same year.
The Malimath Committee Report submitted in March 2003 has very articulately laid down the foundation of a restructured and reoriented police system. The committee in its report observed that the success of the whole process of Criminal Justice Administration depended completely on the proper functioning of the police organisation especially in the investigation stage. Apart from the investigation of offences, the police also have the duty of maintaining law and order.
In 2005, the government put together a group to draft a new police act for India. It was headed by Soli Sorabjee (former attorney general). The committee submitted a Model Police Act to the union government in late 2006.
In 1996, Prakash Singh (a former chief of Assam Police and Uttar Pradesh Police and subsequently Director General of the Border Security Force) initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India, asking the court to investigate measures to reform the police forces across India to ensure the proper rule of law and improve security across India. The Supreme Court studied various reports on police reforms. Finally, in 2006, a bench of Justice Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal, Justice C. K. Thakker and Justice P.K. Balasubramanyan ordered the state governments to implement several reforms in police force.
Several measures were identified as necessary to professionalise the police in India:
In 2006, due to a lack of action by all the state governments, the Supreme Court ordered the state governments to report to it why the reform measures outlined were not implemented. After being questioned in front of the judges of the Supreme Court, the state governments finally started to reform the police forces and give them the operational independence they need for fearless and proper law enforcement. Tamil Nadu Police has been in the forefront of application of the new referendum.
Again, in October 2012, a Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and justices S. S. Nijjar and Jasti Chelameswar asked all state governments and Union territories to inform about compliance of its September 2006 judgement. The order was passed when Prakash Singh through his lawyer Prashant Bhushan said that many of the reforms (ordered by the Supreme Court) have yet not been implemented by many state governments.
Due to the immense amount of power and responsibility that IPS officers hold, many issues occur when personal beliefs, desires, emotions, safety, and security are at play.
One of the primary concerns is the issue of politicization. The police force is often subject to political interference, which can undermine its independence and impartiality. Political pressure can influence the decision-making process, compromise investigations, and create a lack of trust in the police among the public. The ambition of the senior IPS officers to occupy posts of importance is a major contributory factor to the politicization. The appointment of subordinate police officers is in the hands of their seniors. When the seniors surrender their authority by complying with requests from politicians, corruption increases, and the investigation of crime in sensitive cases is based not on facts and law but on the wishes and interests of the politician in power.
Members of one of the two most elite services in the country (the other being the Indian Administrative Service), IPS officers are arguably the most visible face of the government, overseeing law and order, investigation, internal and border security, and intelligence, among other functions. IPS officers often encounter political interference in their day-to-day functioning. Politicians may attempt to influence police investigations, transfers, and postings for their interests or to fulfill political agendas. Such interference can undermine the impartiality and integrity of the police force.
Despite demands from the citizens, political leaders in power have often ignored in implementing police reforms, which often allows leadership to influence investigations, especially on cases against them. The Police Act of 1861, which is still in use, has not been replaced despite protests and demands, as the colonial era Police Law allows political interference in law enforcement and investigations, along with targeting opposing leaders and citizens who criticize or protest against them.
Some IPS officers have been accused of public corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking, and unjust use of power. There have been various instances of abuse of the public by officers. High-ranking officers often enjoy many luxuries for no cost. There is also opportunity to receive extra payment for doing specific tasks on the job.
VIP culture within the Indian Police Service (IPS) refers to a phenomenon where certain individuals, especially those holding positions of power or influence, receive preferential treatment or special privileges from the police force. This culture often results in the diversion of police resources and manpower towards catering to the needs and demands of these individuals, often at the expense of the general public. VIP culture in India, including within the IPS, has been a subject of criticism and public debate for many years. It is seen as a reflection of the country's broader issue of social and political inequality. One manifestation of VIP culture within the IPS is the deployment of police personnel for personal security and escort duties even their personal needs for senior IPS officers. These personnel are often diverted from their regular law enforcement duties, which can affect the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the police force. VIP culture also extends to the use of special privileges such as flashing red or blue beacons on vehicles, known as "lal batti," which signify authority and grant the right-of-way on the roads. The practice of using sirens and escort vehicles to navigate through traffic, often at high speeds, is another common aspect of VIP culture within the IPS.
There are a lot of incidents were Misuse of Power by IPS officers in India. In a notable incident in Kochi, there was an alarming misuse of government vehicles and police personnel during the marriage ceremony of an IPS officer. This incident raised concerns as several government-owned vehicles, belonging to the Kerala police, were utilized as a shuttle service for the wedding festivities. Additionally, some police officers were deployed as valets to assist with carrying luggage and other items for the guests. This incident highlights a misuse of power and resources, which is a matter of great concern. Such actions not only demonstrate a disregard for the proper usage of government assets but also raise questions regarding the principles of fairness and equality.
In June 2023, an incident of alleged abuse of power by a Tamil Nadu IPS officer came to light, resulting in his suspension. an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) from the Tamil Nadu cadre, was accused of engaging in custodial torture at Ambasamudram police station in Tirunelveli district. The allegations against the IPS officer included forcefully extracting the teeth of approximately ten individuals and repeatedly assaulting at least two of them in their genital areas while they were in custody.
Some IPS officers have been convicted of fake encounters, a term for extrajudicial killings by the police supposedly in self-defense.
IPS officers have complained of high levels of stress due to long work hours and unrealistic demands of political bosses. Retired Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh Vikram Singh believes job discontent is a combination of "no holidays, lack of sleep, the sinking feeling of failure, public treatment of policemen with contempt, the indifference of political bosses and almost no connect with superiors". Professional stress ruins personal lives and leads to marital discord. The inability to balance professional and personal lives has led some IPS officers to commit suicide.
The Indian Police Service officials have been criticized for acts of moral policing. Using sections 292 to 294 of the Indian Penal Code which are used to deal with obscenity, Police officers have often harassed citizens for several incidents such as celebrating Valentine's Day, indulging in Public Displays of Affection, and arresting consenting couples in private places. Following increasing incidents of such misconducts, the Supreme Court passed an order nationwide in December 2022 to all Police Departments to stop moral policing.
In 2019, Ministry of Home Affairs said it never recognized or approved the formation of IPS (Central) Association, and the police force does not have the right to form any association without the permission of the federal Government of India.
The entry for the Police Service in India has been made up of 4 levels - constables, sub-inspectors, state service DSPs, and IPS. This has caused disunity in the force, with constables being treated as slaves or personal servants for senior officers. This type of police system has been severely criticized by several current and retired police officials, demanding a single entry into the force from constable, which has met resistance from other officials and political establishment.
Although the Indian Police Service norms mandate both merit-based and time-in-service promotion, even for the constable and inspector rank officers, it is not duly followed or implemented. This has caused constables to remain constables till retirement. Despite the norms, bureaucratic inefficiencies as well as nepotism prevent low-ranking officers from getting promotions, even if they get a pay raise to the next rank.
As of March 2023, India has a police-to-population of 153 personnel per 100,000 citizens, which is less than the sanctioned strength of 196 personnel, as well as way below the United Nations minimum requirement of 222 personnel per 100,000 citizens. The training has also fallen short of world standards, with the shortage of personnel causing investigations to suffer. These issues were previously noted in the aftermath of the 2008 terrorist attacks in Jaipur, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad.
The Indian Police Service has often faced the issues of being overworked, as well as underpaid. The 7th Pay Commission mandated a pay of Rs. 21,700 per month for constables, with the Director-General of Police having a pay of Rs. 225,000 per month. The pay for constables and inspector-ranked officers varies from state to state.
Due to a lack of shift system, many officers, especially the constable ranks were forced to work for more than 24 hours at a stretch, with no overtime pay. This affects the quality of the investigation as well as the morale of the officials on duty. Furthermore, the constabulary also does not get decent housing or any allowances for reasonable accommodation.
In May 2022, the Mumbai Police implemented an 8-hour shift system for the constable rank officers and assistant sub-inspectors, and 16 hours of rest. Following a lawsuit by a constable of the Delhi Police for demanding fixed working hours, proper housing, and reasonable pay in 2015, the Delhi High Court ordered senior officers of implementing better working conditions for constables in May 2023.
Some IPS officers have been implicated in cases of domestic violence, assaulting women, and sexual misconduct.
In 1972, Kiran Bedi became the first woman Indian Police Service officer and was the only woman in a batch of 80 IPS officers, she joined the AGMUT Cadre. She was followed by Jija Madhavan Harisingh in 1975, who became the first woman Indian Police Service officer from South-India (Karnataka cadre) and she remained in service for 36 years before retirement in 2011 as Director General of Police (DGP), and Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, the second woman IPS officer belonging to the 1973 Batch, becoming the first woman director general of police of a state in India when she was appointed DGP of Uttarakhand Police.
In 1992, Asha Sinha, a 1982 Batch IPS officer, became the first woman commandant in the paramilitary forces of India when she was posted as commandant, Central Industrial Security Force in Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and she remained in service for 34 years before retirement in 2016 as the director general of police (DGP). In 2018, an IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram of 1980 Batch became the first woman to become the director general of police of a Central Armed Police Force as DG, Sashastra Seema Bal.
In 2021, Kalpana Saxena replaced Yogesh Singh as the commandant of 47 battalion of PAC, Ghaziabad.
In 2023, Nina Singh became the director general of the Central Industrial Security Force.