Police Ranks in India (With Insignia): Rank List, Posts, Salary

Police ranks in India follow a hierarchy, with the Director-General of Police (DGP) at the top recruited from UPSC, followed by the State Police Service recruitment from the State Public Service Commission, upper subordinate and the constabulary at the bottom.

There are two types of police ranks in India: promotional and straight entrance. In the police hierarchy, direct recruitment occurs up to a point, but beyond that, postings are filled solely through promotions. 

Police Ranks in India

The Police Ranks in India are mostly a holdover from the British Empire. India's State Police force continues to be structured after the antiquated British system, where dominating rather than serving was the primary goal.

Several governments implemented the Police Reforms, but the Police Ranks in India remained unchanged. Only because the police are a state subject under the Indian Constitution, specifically under Entry 2 of the Seventh Schedule of State List, does the state government announce the police rank list.

The hierarchy is listed below in descending order of ranks with the insignia in the below table for better understanding:

Police Ranks in India

Police Ranks	Recruitment Method	Police Rank Insignia
Director-General of Police (DGP)	IPS through promotion
Additional Director General of Police (ADG)	IPS through promotion
Inspector-General of Police (IGP)	IPS through promotion
Deputy Inspector General of Police	IPS through promotion
Senior Superintendent of Police	IPS through promotion
Superintendent of Police	IPS/PPS through promotion
Additional Superintendent of Police	IPS/PPS through promotion
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy. SP)	PPS recruited through the SPSC/IPS in the initial years
Inspector	Promotion
Sub-Inspector	Promotion
Assistant Sub-Inspector	Direct Recruitment through the Police Recruitment Board
Head Constable	Promotion
Constable	Direct Recruitment through the Police Recruitment Board

Also Read: Full Form of IPS, IAS, ACP, API, SSC

Different Levels of Indian Police Services

The different police ranks in India are Indian Police Services, State Police Services, Upper Subordinate Services and Constabulary, and each of the following is explained below in descending order of the ranks: 

1. IPS (Indian Police Service)

The Indian Police Service is the full name of the organization. One of the three All India Services (AIS) is the IPS, where applicants are hired by UPSC and assigned to state governments. 

The highest level of a state's policing structure is the IPS. Only IPS members hold leadership positions in the police force. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) administers the Civil Service Exam, which the Central Government uses to select applicants for the IPS.

The hierarchy of the Indian Police Service is listed below in ascending order: 

1. Assistant Superintendent of Police
2. Additional Superintendent of Police 
3. Superintendent of Police (SP)
4. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
5. Deputy Inspector General of Police 
6. Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
7. Additional Director General of Police 
8. Director-General of Police (DGP) 

Also, Check: How to Become an IPS officer?

Commissionerate System of Policing

They are under dual leadership from police departments. While they report operationally to the Superintendent of Police, the District Magistrate, who maintains law and order in the city, has executive authority over them. 

The District Magistrate has the power to issue warrants and weapons licenses; therefore, for the police to make an arrest, they must get warrants from the DM. 

Police Rank Lists in IG and Commissionerate System of Policing

In the IG and Commissionarate systems of policing, there exist differences in the ranks of police departments. While the lowest classes in both systems are the same, the level above the inspector rank in the commission system differs because of its extraordinary capabilities. 

Also Read: DGP Salary in India 2025 - Check Pay-Scale, Allowances

2. SPS (State Police Service)

The "State Public Service Commission" is responsible for selecting officers for the Provincial or State Police Services. The gazetted service is the State Police Service. 

After a specified number of years of service, they are qualified for an appointment to the Indian Police Service (IPS). As DSPs, the PPS officers are appointed. In the latter stages of their careers, certain Police Inspectors are also elevated to DSP. 

The hierarchy of the State Police Service is listed below in descending order: 

1. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
2. Superintendent of Police (SP)
3. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP)
4. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)

Also, Check: How to Become a Police Officer in India?

3. Upper Subordinate

Direct recruitment to ASI occurs through competitive examinations administered by state-specific approved authorities. Each state police agency administers competitive exams as part of its recruitment process.

Exams are used to find ASI and SI candidates promoted to PI. The hierarchy in upper subordinate is listed below in descending order: 

1. Inspector of Police (PI)
2. Sub-Inspector of Police (SI)
3. Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI)

4. Constabulary

The lowest rank in the police hierarchy is that of constable. It is also called Sipahi in various states. The appellation dates back to the Mughal era when Sipahi bore the army. 

The constable can carry a weapon in sensitive postings, but the constable has a wooden stick in less sensitive postings.

Following recruitment, there is a weapons training component to the program. The British-designed Constabulary system covers these positions. Constable advances to the rank of Senior Constable and then Head Constable. The hierarchy in constabulary is listed below in descending order:

1. Head Constable (HC)
2. Constable (CT)

Salary of Police Ranks in India

The salary of police force in India according to the 7th pay commission system is tabulated below in descending order:

Also, Check: IPS Officer Salary 2025