In our daily life, we see many policemen serving the nation, but we don’t know what their rank is?
If you also see a police officer and a question arises in your mind, “What will be the rank of this police officer in the department?”
Then this article is for you here you will get the answer to this question in detail.
The Indian Police consists of officers of different ranks. The difference between them can be found by looking at their badges.
Those candidates who want to join the Indian Police should know the difference between these ranks and badges. Here we are telling you about all the ranks of the Indian Police.
After reading this article, you will get answers to all your questions related to the Indian police hierarchy and then you will never be confused about police ranking.
Apart from this, you will get answers to many questions related to Indian Police Rankings, which will remove many of your dilemmas.
In this article, Indian Police Officers have been ranked in order from top rank to lowest rank.
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Organizational Structure of the Indian Police Department
Each of the 28 states of India has the police force. The superintendence over it is exercised by each State Government.
The head of the police force in the State is known as Director General of Police (DGP).
The rank and hierarchical structure of the police organization is as follows:
Check the details of Indian Police Officers insignia from top rank to bottom rank:
| Director General of Police (DGP) |
The full form of DGP is Director General of Police (डायरेक्टर जनरल ऑफ पुलिस) in Hindi we call it ‘पुलिस महानिदेशक’.
The DGP would be the highest officer of the Police Force of any state or Union Territory, which has the highest authority. It is the head of the police of the entire state, due to which it is also called the State Police Chief.
In India, Director General of Police (DGP) is a three-star rank police officer. According to the OF-8 code of NATO, a three-star rank officer is a senior commander in many armed services.
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Who can become DGP?
There is no direct recruitment to become DGP. First of all, you have to pass the exam under UPSC and then choose the rank of IPS. When the IPS officer completes the training, he or she is appointed as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
Afterward, on the basis of experience, track record and performance, he or she is promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP), and then to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and then to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), and then to the rank of Inspector General of Police (IG), and then finally to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP).
#Note: There is only one DGP within the entire state, although there may be many additional officers in the state who hold the post of DGP.
General appointments of such officers are made to the post of Director in other departments under the State and Government of India. Such as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director, DG Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Director General of Prisons, Director General of Fire forces and civil defense, etc.
What is Rank Insignia of DGP?
The rank insignia of the Director General of Police consists of a crossed sword and stick along with the National Emblem as shown in the image above.
DGP rank officers wear gorget patches on their collars, which have a dark blue background, and have a leaf-like structure, as you can see in the image above.
What is the Salary of DGP?
The salary of DGP is 80,000 INR (consolidated) and there is no grade payment, After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Director General of Police (DGP) of a state gets Rs 2,25,000 per month.
| Special Director General of Police (SDGP) |
The Special Director General of Police (SDGP) is an IPS rank officer. Like DGP, Special Director General of Police is a three-star rank police officer. So, SDGP rank is considered equivalent to DGP.
The SDGs are posted as heads of various bureaus, similar to the ADGs. The rank above SDGP is that of Director General of Police(DGP) and the rank below it is of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).
What is Rank Insignia of SDGP?
An SDGP has the logo/ Insignia similar to the DGP which has a crossed sword and stick with the national emblem. SDGP rank officers wear gorget patches on their collars, which have a dark blue background, and have a leaf-like structure.
What is the Salary of SDGP?
The salary of SDGP is same as Director General of Police (DGP). SDGPs salary is 80,000 INR (consolidated) and there is no grade payment, After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Special Director General of Police (SDGP) of a state gets Rs 2,25,000 per month.
| Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) |
The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) is also an IPS rank officer. Although like Director General of Police, ADGP is a three-star rank police officer, ADGP is still considered a junior to DGP in the police department.
ADGPs are appointed as zonal heads in various states of India. The rank above ADGP is that of Director General of Police (DGP) and the rank below it is of Inspector General of Police (IG)
What is Rank Insignia of ADGP?
The rank insignia of an ADGP is similar to that of the DGP which has a crossed sword and stick with the national emblem on the bandage tied on the shoulder. Officers of ADGP rank also wear a Gorget Patch on their collar, which forms a leaf-like structure with a dark blue background.
What is the Salary of ADGP?
The salary of ADGP is 37,400-67,000 INR along with grade pay of 12,000 INR, After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP) earns initial basic pay Rs. 2,05,400 per month.
| Inspector General of Police (IG) |
During the British rule in India, in 1861, the British Government introduced the Indian Council Act 1861. The act created a new cadre of police, called the Superior Police Service, which was later renamed the Indian Imperial Police. According to the Act, the post of Inspector General (IG) was the highest rank in the Police Service.
The Inspector General of Police (IG) is also an IPS rank officer. An IG holds the third highest rank in the police hierarchy of any state, just below the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), and just above the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).
What is Rank Insignia of IG?
The rank insignia of an Inspector General of Police is a star with a crossed sword and stick. IG rank officers also wear Gorget Patch on their collar like DGP and ADGP, which has a leaf-like structure and has a dark blue background.
What is the Salary of IG?
The salary of Inspector General of Police according to 6th pay commission is 37,400 – 67,000 INR along with grade pay of Rs 10,000.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Inspector General of Police earns initial basic pay of Rs 1,44,200 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 1,87,450 including ₹ 12,978 DA (9%) ₹ 23,072 HRA ₹ 7,200 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) |
DIG stands for Deputy Inspector General. It is a one star rank in the Indian Police Service, this rank is promoted only to officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS) or State Police Service who have served successfully as Senior Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The rank above DIG is that of Inspector General of Police (IG) or Joint Commissioner of Police and the rank below it is of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) or Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
Deputy Inspector General of the Police provides assistance to the Inspector General of the Police in the supervision and controlling of the Police force in his area. He has certain powers to maintain the efficiency and discipline in the Police force within his area and reports the result to the Inspector General of the Police.
#Note: There is no limit to the number of DIGs a state can have and most states have multiple DIGs to handle law and order.
What is Rank Insignia of DIG?
The rank insignia of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), is the national emblem accompanied by three stars. The DIG ranked officers also wear Gorget Patch on their collar like DGP and ADGP, which has a leaf-like structure, and has a dark blue background.
What is the Salary of DIG?
The salary of Deputy Inspector General of Police according to 6th pay commission is 37,400 – 67,000 INR along with grade pay of Rs 8,900.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Deputy Inspector General of Police earns initial basic pay of Rs 1,31,000 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 1,71,075 including ₹ 11,799 DA (9%) ₹ 20,976 HRA ₹ 7,200 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) |
SSP Stands for Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). They are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the metropolitan district of any state or union territory of India.
Superintendent of Police (SSP) is an officer of IPS rank. The rank above SSP is that of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and the rank below it is of Superintendent of Police (SP).
What is Rank Insignia of SSP?
The rank insignia of the Senior Superintendent of Police is the National Emblem above the two stars. The SSP ranked officers wear a Gorget patch on their collar, which has a dark blue background and a white line on it.
What is the Salary of SSP?
The salary of Senior Superintendent of Police according to 6th pay commission is 15,600-39,100 INR along with grade pay of Rs 8,700.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Senior Superintendent of Police earns initial basic pay of Rs 1,18,500 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 1,55,325 including ₹ 10,665 DA (9%) ₹ 18,960 HRA ₹ 7,200 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Superintendent of Police (SP) |
The SP stands for Superintendent of Police (SP). They are the district heads of non-metropolitan districts in India. He is also appointed in charge of a large urban or rural area of the district where a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) is the district head. SPs also serve as subordinates to the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in various bureaus.
Superintendent of Police is an officer of the State Police Service or the Indian Police Service (IPS). The rank below SP is of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP). The rank above SP is that of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).
What is Rank Insignia of SP?
The rank insignia of Superintendent of Police is the National Emblem above the bandage on the shoulders with a star.
What is the Salary of SP?
The salary of Superintendent of Police according to 6th pay commission is 15,600-39,100 INR along with grade pay of Rs 7,600.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Superintendent of Police earns initial basic pay of Rs 78,800 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 1,05,700 including ₹ 7,092DA (9%) ₹ 12,608 HRA ₹ 7,200 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Additional Superintendent of Police (Add. SP) |
The ASP stands for Additional Superintendent of Police (Add. SP). Officers of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) come from the Indian Police Service (IPS).
Additional Superintendent of Police is an officer of the State Police Service or the Indian Police Service (IPS). The rank below Add. SP is of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) / Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP). If he is from State Police Service, he will be given the DSP post, if he is from Indian Police Service (IPS), then he will be given the post of ASP. The rank above SP is that of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
What is Rank Insignia of ASP?
The rank insignia of the Additional Superintendent of Police is the National Emblem above the bandage on the shoulders with no star.
What is the Salary of Add. SP?
The salary of Additional Superintendent of Police according to 6th pay commission is 15,600-39,100 INR along with grade pay of Rs 6,600.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Additional Superintendent of Police earns initial basic pay of Rs 67,700 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 91,185 including ₹ 6,093 DA (9%) ₹ 10,832 HRA ₹ 7,200 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) |
The ASP stands for Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). Officers of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) come from the Indian Police Service (IPS).
All IPS officers begin their careers as Assistant Superintendents of Police. State cadre officers cannot hold this rank. They hold the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) which is equivalent to this rank.
What is Rank Insignia of ASP?
The rank insignia of the Assistant Superintendent of Police is the National Emblem above the bandage on the shoulders with no star.
What is the Salary of ASP?
The salary of Assistant Superintendent of Police according to 6th pay commission is 15,600-39,100 INR along with grade pay of Rs 5,400.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Assistant Superintendent of Police earns initial basic pay of Rs 56,100 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 77,325 including ₹ 5,049 DA (9%) ₹ 8,976 HRA ₹ 7,200 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) |
The DSP stands for Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP). Officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) are state police officers who are concerned with the provincial police forces, at this rank you either enter directly by passing the exam of the State Public Service Commission or work for the post of inspector for a few years then later promoted.
In the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, DSP rank is commonly referred to as Circle Officer (CO), although this is not technically correct, as CO is a post, not a rank. In the state of West Bengal, the DSP is in charge of a sub-division and is commonly referred to as a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO).
What is Rank Insignia of DSP?
The rank insignia of Deputy Superintendent of Police consists of three stars above the bandage on his shoulder.
What is the Salary of DSP?
The salary of Deputy Superintendent of Police according to 6th pay commission is 15,600-39,100 INR along with grade pay of Rs 5,400.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Deputy Superintendent of Police earns initial basic pay of Rs 56,100 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 77,325 including ₹ 5,049 DA (9%) ₹ 8,976 HRA ₹ 7,200 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Police Inspector (PI) |
The Inspector of Police (PI) is usually the officer in charge of a police station. A police station in India consists of a constable, a head constable, a sub-inspector and an inspector. In which Police Inspector is the highest command officer. The rank of Inspector is above the rank of Sub Inspector and below that of DSP.
#Note:Inside Maharashtra Police, there is also a post of Assistant Inspector who ranks below the Inspector and above the Sub Inspector.
What is Rank Insignia of PI?
The rank insignia of the Police Inspector consists of three stars and has two stripes at the bottom, red and blue in color, with the red stripe at top and the blue stripe at below.
What is the Salary of PI?
The salary of Sub-Inspector according to 6th pay commission is 9,300-34,800 INR along with grade pay of Rs 4,600.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Assistant Sub-Inspector earns initial basic pay of Rs 44,900 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 59,725 including ₹ 4,041 DA (9%) ₹ 7,184 HRA ₹ 3,600 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Sub-Inspector (SI) |
A Sub-Inspector (SI) can command some police personnel and is in charge of the police post. He is one of the lowest ranked officers in the police force who can file a charge sheet in court under Indian police rules and regulations and is usually the first investigating officer.
A Sub-Inspector ranks above an Assistant Police Sub-Inspector (ASI) and below an Inspector.
Most sub-inspectors are recruited directly into the police who have better educational qualifications than lower-ranked police officers.
What is Rank Insignia of SI?
The rank insignia of Police Sub Inspector consists of two stars and has two stripes at the bottom, red and blue in color, with the red stripe at top and the blue stripe at below.
What is the Salary of SI?
The salary of Sub-Inspector according to 6th pay commission is 9,300-34,800 INR along with grade pay of Rs 4,200.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Assistant Sub-Inspector earns initial basic pay of Rs 35,400 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 47,850 including ₹ 3,186 DA (9%) ₹ 5,664 HRA ₹ 3,600 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) |
In the police forces of India, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) is a non-gazetted officer ranking above a police head constable and below a Sub-inspector. This post is also named as Havildar Major. ASI is often the officer in charge of Police Outposts and Investigation Centres.
What is Rank Insignia of ASI?
The rank insignia for an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) is a star, with a red and blue striped ribbon on the outer edge of the shoulder straps.
What is the Salary of ASI?
The salary of Assistant Sub-Inspector according to 6th pay commission is 5,200-20,200 INR along with grade pay of Rs 2,800.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Assistant Sub-Inspector earns initial basic pay of Rs 29,200 per month, and bags monthly gross salary up to 40,100 including ₹ 2,628 DA (9%) ₹ 4,672 HRA ₹ 3,600 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
| Constable |
Head Constable (Havildar)
The head constable in the Indian police is equivalent to a sergeant in the police forces of other countries. Head constables wear three point-down chevrons on their sleeves, which are red in color or three bars on shoulder straps.
The salary of Head Constable according to 6th pay commission is 5,200-20,200 INR along with grade pay of Rs 2,400.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Head Constable earns initial basic pay of Rs 25,500 per month and bags monthly gross salary up to 35,475 including ₹ 2,295 DA (9%) ₹ 4,080 HRA ₹ 3,600 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
Senior Constable (Lance Naik)
Senior constables wear two point-down chevrons on their sleeves, which are also red in color, like the head constable’s chevron or two bars on shoulder straps.
The salary of Senior Constable according to 6th pay commission is 5,200-20,200 INR along with grade pay of Rs 2,400.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Senior Constable earns initial basic pay of Rs 25,500 per month and bags monthly gross salary up to 35,475 including ₹ 2,295 DA (9%) ₹ 4,080 HRA ₹ 3,600 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
Police Constable (PC)
The police constable has the lowest rank among the police forces in India, followed by the senior constable. To maintain normal law and order, each state government recruits police constables.
A police constable would have a bandage on his shoulders which does not have any insignia. If there is no sign on the shoulder or sleeve on the shoulder of police, then understand that it is posted as a constable in the police force.
The salary of Police Constable according to 6th pay commission is 5,200-20,200 INR along with grade pay of Rs 2,000.
After the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the Police Constable earns initial basic pay of Rs 21,700 per month and bags monthly gross salary up to 30,853 including ₹ 1,953 DA (9%) ₹ 3,600 HRA ₹ 3,600 TATP. (**We have considered only Basic DA, HRA & TATP. This is just for an idea, Actual Salary may vary).
Indian Police Officers Salary Chart (Rank Wise)
Above in this article, we ad provided brief info of Indian Police Officers ranks insignia and their salary. In this part, we compiled the salaries of different police posts in one table for your easy reference.
| Rank in Indian Police Force | Analogous Post in Commissionerate | 6th Pay Comm. Pay Scale | 7th Pay Comm. Entry Level |
| Director General of Police | Commissioner of Police | 80,000 INR (consolidated) no grade payment | Rs. 2,25,000 |
| Add. Director General of Police | Special Commissioner of Police | 37,400-67,000 INR, grade pay of 12,000 INR | Rs. 2,05,400 |
| Inspector General of Police | Joint Commissioner of Police | 37,400 – 67,000 INR, grade pay of Rs 10,000 | Rs 1,44,200 |
| Dyp. Inspector General of Police | Add. Commissioner of Police | 37,400 – 67,000 INR, grade pay of Rs 8,900 | Rs. 1,31,000 |
| Senior Superintendent of Police | Deputy Commissioner of Police | 15,600-39,100 INR, grade pay of Rs 8,700. | Rs. 1,18,500 |
| Superintendent of Police | Deputy Commissioner of Police | 15,600-39,100 INR, grade pay of Rs 7,600. | Rs. 78,800 |
| Add. Superintendent of Police | Add. Deputy Commissioner of Police | 15,600-39,100 INR, grade pay of Rs 6,600. | Rs. 67,700 |
| Assistant Superintendent of Police | Assistant Commissioner of Police | 15,600-39,100 INR, grade pay of Rs 5,400. | Rs. 56,100 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police | Assistant Commissioner of Police | 15,600-39,100 INR, grade pay of Rs 5,400. | Rs. 56,100 |
| Inspector | Inspector | 9,300-34,800 INR, grade pay of Rs 4,600. | Rs. 44,900 |
| Sub-Inspector | Sub-Inspector | 9,300-34,800 INR, grade pay of Rs 4,200. | Rs. 35,400 |
| Assistant Sub-Inspector | Assistant Sub-Inspector | 5,200-20,200 INR, grade pay of Rs 2,800 | Rs. 29,200 |
| Head Constable | Head Constable | 5,200-20,200 INR, grade pay of Rs 2,400 | Rs. 25,500 |
| Constable | Constable | 5,200-20,200 INR, grade pay of Rs 2,000 | Rs. 21,700 |
FAQ’s on Indian Police Officers Hierarchy
Difference between DGP & Police Commissioner?
DGP stands for the Director General of Police. It is considered one of the highest ranks in the Indian Police Department. An IPS officer of this rank usually heads the entire Police Force of an Indian State.
Unlike DGP, the Commissioner of Police(CP) is not a rank but a post at Commisonerate Level. Generally, major cities are included in the Commissionerate such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, etc.
The senior most officer (of any rank, depends on the size and population of that city or district.) in a Police Commisonerate System (where police officers have magisterial powers) is usually called the Commissioner of Police.
For example, if an SSP heads a Commissionerate then he can be called a CP. If a DGP heads a Commissionerate then the tag of the CP will refer to that DGP.
In cities like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai, DGP rank officer is appointed as Police Commissioner. In Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Surat etc. Additional DGP rank officer is appointed as Police Commissioner. IG rank officer is appointed in Gurgaon, Pune, Coimbatore, Thane, Howrah, Madurai, Siliguri, Trivandrum, Kochi. On the other hand, in cities like Bidhannagar, DIG rank officer is appointed as Police Commissioner.
Commissionerate Police Ranks
- Commissioner of Police (CP) [ Generally, DGP or AGP rank officers]
- Joint Commissioner of Police (Joint CP) [ IG rank officers ]
- Additional Commissioner of Police (Add.CP) [DIG rank officers]
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) [ SSP or SP rank officers]
- Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) [ DSP rank officers]
- Inspector
- Sub-Inspector
- Assistant Sub-Inspector
- Head Constable
- Senior Constable
- Constable
#Note: Thr rank insignia of Commissionerate rank officers and Indian Police Servicers rank officers are the same.
Difference between ASP & DSP? Who is senior ASP or DSP?
Deputy superintendent of police (DSP)
DSP is a class I state police officers who are concerned with the provincial police forces, at this rank you either enter directly by passing the exam of the State Public Service Commission or work for the post of inspector for a few years then later promoted.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
ASP is a class I central government officers. The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) directly comes from the Indian Police Service (IPS).
Generally, It took 8-12 years for a DSP to conferred as IPS while ASP is directly inducted as IPS. So ASP is considered senior to DSP.
Who is SHO? What is the Full-Form of SHO?
SHO is the officer in charge of a police station. The full form of SHO is Station House Officer in Hindi we call it थानाप्रभारी
Station House Officer may be an Inspector or Sub Inspector rank officer. It depends on which place the Police Station is. If the police station is in a city with a large population, then an Inspector of that police station is appointed as SHIO. On the other hand, if the police station is in a less populated place, then the SHO there is usually a Sub Inspector rank officer.
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