In India, one of the most respected careers is being a police officer. Police officers are representatives of the government whose job is to prevent crime and disturbances in society while also preserving peace and harmony. In addition to this, police officers are responsible for conducting investigations into crimes, fostering public order, recognizing circumstances that might result in crimes, and other duties.
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Highlights of How to Become a Police Officer?
The following table shows the details for Police Officers -
Details | Particulars |
Eligibility | any recognized board examinations for the 12th grade, such as the SSC or CSE. |
Industry | Crime and Investigation |
Average Starting Salary | INR 3.67 LPA |
Highest Salary | INR 24 LPA |
Top Recruiters | CBI, CID, and other government departments |
How Long Does it Take to Become a Police Officer?
- It may take at least 4 years to enter the Police Officer, however, this varies depending on your designation and credentials.
- After passing your 12th grade from a recognized education board, you may normally join the IPS as a constable or head constable.
- If you have a bachelor's degree and pass the IPS test administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), you can join the police force as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
Read more about the Upcoming Government Exams in india.
Different types of Police Officers
In India, there are several sorts of police officers based on their levels, departments, and experience. Some of the most common categories of police officers are listed below along with their job descriptions and typical salaries-
Ranks | Description | Average Salary |
Deputy Commissioner of Police | They must implement regulations and actions imposed by the federal or state governments and have the authority to inspect and supervise the work of other junior authorities. | 15.2 lakh |
Deputy Superintendent of police | They are in charge of carrying out all responsibilities and maintaining law and order, as assigned by the Superintendent of Police. They also oversee the work of their subordinates and handle all cases reported by other police stations under their jurisdiction. | 9.60 lakh |
Police Inspector | An Inspector's function is to oversee the inquiry within his authority and also teach junior investigators who work on cases within their authority. They also manage all official work, including record keeping, and report to senior police officials. | 8 lakh |
Assistant Police Inspector | In the absence of an Inspector, their role is to monitor the inquiry. They are in charge of preventing or detecting crime within their authority. | 7.81 lakh |
Sub Inspector | They ensure the efficient operation of management or subordinate workers and keep the peace and prevent and detect crime. They also keep a record in the police station. | 7.10 lakh |
Police Constable | A police constable's job is to gather information and collect evidence. They carry out tasks such as patrolling, criminal detection, escorting prisoners and VIPs, aiding civil administrations, and so on. | 4.2 lakh |
How to Become a Police Officer in India?
Candidates who want to work as police officers in India should be familiar with all available travel options. The following give details about how to become Police Officer-
How to Become a Police Officer after 12th?
Students who have passed the Class 12 board examinations are qualified to apply to work as police officers in a variety of positions, including Constable and Head Constable. One does not have to have a graduate degree to become a constable, but one must pass the appropriate entry tests for the positions. After passing the class 12 board examinations, the jobs and requirements to become a police officer are discussed in the table below-
Designations | Eligibility | Entrance Exams |
Constable | Class 12th | State-Conducted Hiring Processes. |
Head Constable | Must pass the Class 12th board examinations and should be at least 18 years old and no older than 25 years old. |
How to Become a Police Officer after Graduation?
Candidates are now qualified to become Police Officers at different higher designations following graduation in any subject. The police force offers various higher designations, including Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, and others, to students who pass the UPSC or IPS Entrance Exams. A few of the top positions that can be applied for after passing state- or center-based admission tests are included in the table below-
Designations | Entrance Exams |
Superintendent of Police / Deputy Superintendent of Police | UPSC CSE (IPS) |
Assistant Commissioner of Police | |
Sub Inspector | SSC |
Assistant Sub Inspector |
List of Courses to Become Police Officers after 12th
The following table lists some of the essential courses that must be completed to become a police officer in India-
Parameters | Sociology Courses | Criminology Courses | Political Science Courses |
Eligibility | Graduation from a recognized university. | Graduation from a recognized university. | Graduation from a recognized university. |
Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years | 3 Years |
Entrances Exams | DUET, SET, CUET | DUET, SET, CUET | DUET, SET, CUET |
Average Fees | INR 500 - 5,000 | INR 500 - 5,000 | INR 500 - 5,000 |
Average Salary | INR 3.67 LPA | INR 3.67 LPA | INR 3.67 LPA |
Top Colleges | LD Arts College | University of Bangalore |
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How to Become a Police Officer (Step-Wise)
In order to become a police officer, prospective applicants must first complete a series of tasks. The four steps to becoming a police officer are as follows-
Step 1- The first and most important step or requirement that candidates must meet to become police officers in India is to be Indian citizens.
Step 2- After passing the 12th-grade board examinations, candidates are entitled to apply for police constable posts. The SSC, or Staff Selection Commission, is a recruitment exam performed by several state governments for selecting police personnel throughout the ranks of constable.
Step 3- Candidates who pass the written test are subsequently assessed on physical fitness rounds before being hired by the Indian Police Department.
Step 4- Candidates who have finished their degree in any field from a recognized board are eligible to take the IPS, or Indian Police Service, tests, where they are graded based on written and physical examinations before being hired for any top posts in the Indian Police force.
Step 5- However, one of the main requirements for appearing in IPS tests is that candidates be at least 21 years old.
Step 6- In addition to passing the physical fitness test, candidates must also meet additional physical requirements in order to be hired as police officers. Candidates must fulfill the department's qualifications for being employed as a police officer, which include a specific height, weight, and vision.
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Police Officer Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for the Police Officer Entrance Exam generally covers voluminous material regarding various subjects to test knowledge, reasoning ability, and also fitness. Below is an overview of the key sections of the syllabus: General Knowledge and Current Affairs
This section tests the candidate's awareness of significant national and international events. It includes topics like Indian history, geography, political science, economics, and general science. Current affairs, schemes of the government, sports, and leading personalities, apart from having a general idea of the Indian Constitution, are of great importance.
Quantitative Aptitude
It tests the mathematical and problem-solving abilities of a candidate. The most common topics that are tested include arithmetic operations, percentage, average, ratio, time and work, profit and loss, speed and distance, data interpretation, and algebra. One can get some minimum amount of knowledge about numbers and equations that would help them to perform well in this section.
Reasoning and Logical Ability
The following section checks the logical thinking and analytical ability of the candidate. Well-known topics are puzzles, coding-decoding, analogies, blood relations, syllogism, direction sense, and series completion. Questions on these topics are not to check the reader's memory but his ability to work out solutions based on logic alone.
English Language
The test of language skills is conducted in the English section. It involves questions on grammar, vocabulary, sentence formation, comprehension, synonyms and antonyms, and writing a paragraph. Candidates need to concentrate on increasing their reading comprehension and grammatical accuracy to perform well in this section.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Apart from the written exam, candidates have to clear a physical efficiency test. The PET normally consists of tests such as running, long jump, high jump, among other physical exercises and activities to prove that the candidates meet the necessary physical fitness requirements for performing the job. According to the distinct needs of various states and recruitment bodies, there is a specific requirement for each state.
Top Colleges in India
There are no specific colleges that may be enrolled in since there are no particular courses that must be taken to become a police officer in India; applicants from any field can become one.
Below is the list of some of the best universities offering a variety of courses that may be taken to become a police officer is provided below-
Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
Bangalore | Rs. 20,492 | |
Ahemdabad | Rs. 11,830 | |
Kanpur | Rs. 39,293 | |
Kolkata | Rs. 2,400 | |
Christ University | Bangalore | Rs. 50,000 |
Bhopal | Rs. 3,612 | |
Ranchi | Rs. 2, 850 | |
Bhopal | Rs. 9,795 | |
LD Arts Colleges | Ahemdabad | Rs. 1,085 |
Jaipur | Rs. 38,300 |
Police Officer Salary and Benefits in India
In India, the typical income of a police officer is mainly determined by characteristics such as designation, experience, and credentials. However, the beginning pay of a Police Officer in India is about INR 3 - 3.5 LPA.
The table following discusses the typical income of a Police Officer based on experience-
Experience Gained | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
0-5 years | 3 - 3.60 lakh |
6-10 years | 5.50 - 6.90 lakh |
11-15 years | 10.4 lakh |
16-20 years | 10.5 - 12.03 lakh |
20 years and Above | 13 lakh & above |
Also read more about- Salary of a Police Officer 2023
Skills Needed to Become a Police Officer
These abilities not only aid in building a solid basis for the course but also aid in gaining a better understanding of the profession. The following are some of the skills needed for a Police Officer-
- Active Hearing
- Persuasiveness
- Observation of Details
- Physical Endurance
- Public Awareness
- Critical Analysis
- Communication between people
- Morality Assertiveness
- Courage Teamwork
- Empathy
Books and Study Materials for Police Officers
The following are some of the important books one can refer to clear the police officer exam-
- SSC Constable Recruitment Exam (Delhi) by VVK Subburaj
- Vijetha Competitions – Andhra Pradesh Police Recruitment Exam
- Kiran's Kolkata Police Constable Recruitment Exam Practice Book
- Kiran's SSC Constable Exam
- SSC Delhi Police Executive Recruitment Exam by R. Gupta
- Haryana Police Constable Recruitment Exam by R. Gupta
- Police Exam Preparation Book by Norman Hall
- SSC Sub-Inspector Recruitment Exam by Disha Publications
Challenges of Becoming a Police Officer Along with Benefits
Some of the primary benefits and drawbacks of being a police officer in India are given below-
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Excellent Reputation-A police officer is the one who defends society. Police officers have always had a good reputation and have been regarded with respect in society. | No Fixed Timings- There are no set hours for police officers to work. They do not have one working hour like other departments. For police officers, there are no vacations or festivals. |
Job Satisfaction-The work of a police officer is quite active, with a lot of variety, and every day is a new struggle for them. | Risk of Death and Injury- Daily, they confront the risk of death and harm. Many police officers are killed while attempting to safeguard the neighborhood from crime and violence. |
Increased Competition-The work atmosphere of police officers is extremely competitive and they are highly motivated because they want to serve or defend their communities. | Difficult Decisions- Police officers must occasionally make difficult decisions, such as whether to take someone's life under extreme circumstances. |
Attractive Perks-The government provides them with a good income and they are eligible for perks such as a Provident Fund, House Rent Allowance, Travel Allowance, Gratuity, and other benefits. | Emotionally Challenging-The job of a police officer is emotionally taxing, not just for the officer but also for their family. They are the guardians of our society, yet they do not receive adequate family time, even during holidays. |
Retirement Benefits-When a police officer retires, he or she receives a large sum of money, which includes their Provident Fund, Gratuity, and even interest on those funds. They are also paid for their medical bills. | - |
Authoritative Position-Being a police officer can help order and ensure that the law is implemented and obeyed appropriately. | - |
Promotional Benefits-The promotion rate in the Police Department is fairly high when compared to other government personnel in other departments. | - |
Police Officer Exam Preparation Tips
Preparing for the police officer exam encompasses three: physical fitness, mental acuity, and knowledge about principles in law enforcement. Here are some suggestions to be prepared:
Physical Preparation
Keep yourself fit: Police officer exams require you to be in good shape. Take the necessary exercises which will prepare you to improve your cardiovascular status, muscular strength, and flexibility.
Physical Practice and Preparation
Familiarize yourself with the physical tests that shall be undertaken in the exam, and practice them regularly. This will make your muscles harder, stronger, and improve your endurance.
Mental Preparation
Law enforcement concepts: Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of law enforcement, criminal justice, and police procedure. Understand constitutional law, criminal law, and police ethics.
Train to solve problems: Train to solve puzzles, riddles, and hypothetical situations of law enforcement.
Stress: Stress is prevalent in police work. Try managing that with meditation, deep breathing or yoga.
Preparation of Knowledge
Study the department: Study the particular department you are applying to. Learn the mission, values, and what is expected from new officers.
Practice written tests: Familiarize yourself to the type of written examination and practice using sample questions. This can improve test-taking skills.
Read the newspaper: Current issues about law enforcement and public safety
Supplementary Tips
- Make a study group: It will keep you motivated and point out to you those areas on which you still require improvement.
- Sleep well before examination: This will improve your concentration as well as focus.
- Take care of your physical and mental health: Your study should not hamper your general well-being.
- Remember, consistency is the name of the game. If you use these tips, it will help you be the best version of yourself when preparing for the police officer exam and consequently increase your chances of being successful in the exam.