How to Become an IPS Officer?

IPS is one of the three All India Services. It stands for Indian Police Service. While not a security force, IPS has higher-level posts in the CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) and State Police machinery.

IPS are hired by Central Government and also by the respective States. The position is highly respected and comes with certain perks. An IPS officer's base salary is around INR 56,000 per month. The pay increases with promotion. As per rank, every IPS officer is given a house and a car as well.

An IPS officer strives to maintain peace among the public. They detect and prevent crime, including drug crimes. They manage traffic and play a role in accident prevention and management. An IPS officer commands the Intelligence Agencies in India, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), etc. IPS is further divided into various departments such as Home Guards, Traffic Bureau, Crime Branch and Criminal Investigation Department so that they may function efficiently.

To become an IPS officer, one must fulfil the following criteria:

1. Must be an Indian citizen.
2. Must be at least 21 years in age. Different categories have different maximum ages.
3. Must have at least a graduate degree from a recognised University.
4. Must not already be a part of IAS or IFS.
5. Physical Requirements:
6. Women must be a minimum of 150 cm in height for general category and 145 cm height, if from other categories.
7. Women must have a chest size of at least 79 cm and can be expanded 5cm.
8. A compulsory distant vision of 6/6 or 6/9.
9. Must have exception colour and binocular vision. Can wear specs or lenses.

Please note: Squinting of any kind results in automatic rejection.

The UPSC conducts the Civil Services Exam. Every year almost 5-8 lakh aspirants give the exam. General category & EWS candidates are allowed Six attempts while other categories are allowed more. However, this exam also recruits for the Indian Revenue Service, Indian Administration Service, India Audit and Accounts service, etc.There are two modes of recruitment to IPS:

1. Promotion of State Police Service Officers

2. Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission

   The first stage of becoming an IPS officer is filling out the application and applying for the civil service examination. The UPSC official website and newspapers reveal information about recruitment and exam dates.

3. Aspirants can fill out the application on the official website - https://upsconline.nic.in.

4. Applicants must scan and upload one photo ID card (Passport, Aadhar, PAN card, etc.).They must show the original card to gain entry into the examination hall.

5. Applicants must upload a signed photograph in .jpg format (20-300kb).

6. There is a fee of INR 100/- to submit the form.

   There are three stages in an IPS exam:

7. Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam: This is an objective type exam.

8. Civil Services (Main) Exam: This is a written exam that selects applicants for services and positions.

9. UPSC Personality Test

   New IPS officers have approximately a two-year probation period. It involves hardcore fitness train as well as different indoor and outdoor subjects.

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