What is Indian Police Service? How can I become an IPS?

What is IPS?

IPS stands for the Indian Police Service. The Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the three All India Services, other than the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). It is a uniformed civil service.

In 1948, the prestigious Indian Imperial Police was renamed to IPS.

How can I become an IPS?

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). To get into IPS, you need to secure a rank under 300 in the general category.

What happens when I become an IPS?

The IPS officers enjoy a lot of power and prestige. Post the training in the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Acdemy of Administration ( LBSNAA) at Mussoorie, followed by a rigorous training at the National Police Academy, Hyderabad, one gets posted as Additional Superintendent of Police(ASP) under training.

What is the highest I can reach as an IPS?

An IPS can reach the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in a state. In the Union, he can head central armed police forces (CAPF) as DGP.

The Office of Director of CBI, India’s Premier Investigation Agency is manned by IPS Officers.

Post Retirement, IPS Officers have held important positions such as members of Union Public Service Commission, Governors of state etc.

Why IPS?

The IPS is primarily concerned with maintenance of Law and Order in the country. This is a premier uniformed civil service in India. The widening of opportunities and exposure in IPS made the police services very attractive. The uniform has a unique charm in itself. Some of the notable IPS officers are Kiran Bedi, Ajit Doval and Julio Ribeiro.

Notable IPS officers like Prakash Singh, have been champions of Police Reforms in the country.