Want to know how to become IPS officer . Well you have landed on the right article. Every patriotic Indian wishes to learn how to become an IPS officer.
However, not everyone's dream is realised. You can attain any of your aims by putting in a little work and a lot of energy. The Indian Police Service is among the three All India Services, and its full name is the Indian Police Service.
The IPS Exam is a significant part of the civil service exam, and candidates are shortlisted depending on their overall UPSC results. The Indian Police Service is not a defense force, but it does provide commanders for higher-ranking positions in state police and the Central Armed Police Forces
(CAPF).
IPS officers can work for both the center and states because they are members of an all-India service. In India, IPS officers have a lot of responsibilities and are compensated well.
The primary responsibility of an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer is to protect the people and maintain social harmony.
An IPS officer's responsibilities are not restricted to those of the state or the federal government; they work at both levels. However, the IPS is not a standalone police force.
Instead, it is a pool of highly trained officials from which top officers are chosen for multiple police arms at the federal, state, and global levels.
Officers have a difficult job to play in keeping crime levels low via law enforcement. An IPS officer is seen as somebody who is intelligent and competent, with the ability to make a difference.
This post will explain how and what to study to become an IPS officer and how to become an IPS Officer after graduation.
How To Become IPS Officer
A Step-by-Step Guide on How To Become a IPS Officer
Every year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes the All-India Civil Services Examination, one of India's most difficult exams, in which lakhs of candidates compete, and only a few succeed.
A detailed step-by-step methods on How to become an IPS Officer:
Step 1: Submit an application for the Civil Service Examination.
The first and most important step in becoming an IPS Officer is to apply for the civil service test by filling out the application form provided by the Union Public Service Commission each year.
In order to be informed of any such recruitment advertisements, ambitious applicants are recommended to follow the news daily or check the UPSC official website on a regular basis.
Step 2: Writing the exam and clearing all the stages of the Civil Service Examination
After passing the main exam, the candidate is qualified to take the interview or personality test, which assesses the candidate's fundamental general knowledge, cognitive capacity, topic knowledge, and critical thinking skills.
The preliminary test, which is objective in nature, is the first exam taken by the candidates. After passing the preliminary exam, the applicant advances to the next stage and prepares for the written test, which is a subjective test.
So, there are three stages to the Civil Services Exam.
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Exam
- Main Exam Interview Stage
Preliminary Exam: The preliminary exam is the first phase of the IPS officer exam. It is a prerequisite for the final exam. The prelims test has a total of 400 marks, which comprises two papers.
Both papers will consist of objective multiple-choice questions. You can take the mains exam after passing the preliminary exam.
The mains examination is the second stage of the UPSC examination. You can only take this exam if you pass the preliminary exam.
This examination consists of 9 papers in total, including the language paper. The type of exam paper is descriptive.
Personal Interview: After passing the mains exam, the applicant is eligible to take the interview or personality test round, which assesses the candidate's general knowledge, cognitive ability, critical thinking skills, and personality.
The steps in the Personal Interview procedure are listed below.
- After passing the CSE Mains, qualifying applicants are invited to an interview with UPSC officials.
- Candidates' subject knowledge and mental skills will be examined throughout this interview.
- Around 400-450 individuals are chosen from the final list of contenders.
Step 3: Participate in physical training.
The topmost rankers are enrolled as IPS probation officers and sent to Sardar Vallabhai Patel Police Academy for a year after passing all three competitive examinations of the Civil Services Exam, encompassing prelims, mains, and interviews.
During this period, probationers undergo intense physical training and are trained in all aspects of police and administration.
IPS Officers are assigned to police and investigative groups as federal and state governments require following successful training.
Law, criminology, physical fitness, internal security, and human rights are among the subjects taught here. The OTs are also taught armed and unarmed combat and prosecutorial and law enforcement techniques.
The officer trainees are transformed into police officers during the Basic Training Course.
They're also dispatched to the Army, Air Force, Navy, and other military branches to learn how they work. A two-week Bharat Darshan Tour is also offered, during which the OTs are escorted across India to see the country's diversity personally.
After finishing the Basic Training, the officer trainees are recognized as probationers.
The following phase of training takes place at state police academies. Aspirants are educated about the state and the fundamentals of the local dialects.
The probationers are assigned as Station House Officers and given the task of administering police stations and being affiliated to District Police Headquarters for hands-on experience.
The IPS training course might take up to two years to complete.
Eligibility Criteria
A career as an IPS officer is not for everyone. Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to be considered for positions as civil servants. Five primary factors determine an IPS Officer's eligibility:
- Education Qualification
- IPS Age Limit
- Physical Requirements
- Medical Qualifications
- Nationality Requirements
Education Qualification
The following are the educational criteria for attempting the UPSC Exam:
- A diploma should have been provided.
- Graduation from any of the UGC-approved universities.
- You are eligible to apply for the position if you are in your final year of graduation.
- The student's academic stream will not be considered.
- You are eligible to apply for the CSE preliminary test if you have completed the final stage of any professional program offered by governmental bodies.
IPS Age Limit
The applicant must be at least 21 years old until August 1 of the year in which they plan to take the Civil Services Exam. The age limit for Defence Service Personnel may be reduced.
The following table shows the age limits for IPS officers:
CATEGORY | AGE LIMIT | NO. OF ATTEMPTS |
|---|---|---|
General | 32 | 7 |
OBC | 35 | 9 |
SC/ST | 37 | No limit |
However, there are few age relaxations which include
Candidates with physical disabilities have nine attempts in the General and OBC category, while there is no limit for SC/ST candidates. Residents of Jammu and Kashmir can apply for a five-year age concession.
Commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs who've already served in the military for at least 5 years are qualified for up to a 5-year age reduction.
The physically impaired candidates with vision loss, loss of hearing, orthopedics, or mutism get an age relaxation of up to 10 years.
Physical Requirements
Even after clearing the preliminary exam, only those who complete the IPS officer physical exam are eligible for the Personal Interview. The physical requirements for IPS officers, comprising IPS height and weight, are as follows:
- The minimal height for IPS for males in the general category is 165cm, whereas it is 160cm in the other category.
- Women in the general category must be 150 cm tall, while women in the other categories must be 145 cm tall.
- Men's chests must be at least 84 cm and expandable up to 5 cm, while women's chests must be at least 79 cm and expandable up to 5 cm.
- Squinting candidates are automatically dismissed.
- For improved eyesight, the distant vision should be 6/6 or 6/9.
- Spectacles/lenses are allowed.
- Binocular vision, as well as superior color vision, are necessary.
Medical Qualification
The IPS medical exam is an additional prerequisite in the process of becoming an IPS officer. It includes the following :
- Blood Pressure High
Age Limit | Blood Pressure (High) |
|---|---|
23 | 123 |
24 | 124 |
25 | 122 |
28 | 124 |
30 | 125 |
32 | 126 |
34 | 127 |
Nasal: The applicant should not stutter when speaking.
Ear: Healthy ear cavity and normal hearing; hearing impairment at 1000-4000 Hz should not be more than 30 dB. Women who are pregnant should not take the Medical Test.
The Colorblind test has a high standard. There should be no inherited night impairment. Stereoscopic vision is required. Requirements for Nationality
The applicant is qualified for the role if they meet any of the following criteria: All you need to qualify for IPS is a graduate degree from any recognized university and to be an Indian citizen.
Exam to clear for becoming an IPS Officer: UPSC CIVIL SERVICE
What is UPSC or civil service examination?
The UPSC exam also referred to as the Civil Service exam, is one of the exams held by the Union Public Service Commission for selecting and recruiting top candidates for roles in India's civil services such as IAS, IPS, and IFS.
The UPSC Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the UPSC exam. This is a screening and a qualifying test. The Prelims paper comprises 2 objective papers with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
The Mains Examination consists of nine descriptive papers. Due to the extensive syllabus and fierce competition, this exam is one of the most difficult examinations in India.
However, you can easily clear the civil service exam with proper preparation and assistance.
Steps for preparing for the Civil Service Exam
Here are a few tips that can help you crack one of the toughest exams in India.
- Begin early. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to prepare.
- Be ordered and diligent. Make a reasonable timetable that allows you to relax as well as study. Understanding yourself and your strengths will also help.
Give extra time to topics and areas that require more attention. Determine your most productive period and reserve it for the most demanding topics. - Take notes and create mind maps as you go. This will help you with your revisions.
- Read various newspapers and watch various television news channels. Pay attention to the editorial and opinion pages. Social issues are crucial. Stay updated.
- Maintain cultural awareness. Learn about art, heritage, culture, and sports, focusing on India.
- Consistent practice is essential. Study past question papers and practice your timing.
- Ensure you revise. Every day, week, and month take some time to revise what you've learned and then perform at least one full revision.
- Improve your personality. Analyze your body language and communication abilities, and improve on your weaknesses. This will be especially important throughout the interview process.
- Get some help. Specialized coaching for the Civil Services Examination is beneficial since it provides practice papers, facilitates conversations, and provides expert advice on approaching the exams and the interview. These classes will aid you in your personal preparation.
- Physical fitness: In addition to academic preparation, IPS candidates must concentrate on their physical fitness. A tailored training program is an excellent concept.
If feasible, the candidate should consult with a fitness teacher as well as a doctor to determine his nutrition and training requirements and devise a program to help him gradually improve his performance.
Exam Pattern
The Civil Services examination pattern has been developed to assess a candidate's academic skills as well as his or her ability to express oneself or herself methodically and cohesively.
The exam pattern evaluates the candidates' general intellectual qualities and understanding level. The UPSC Civil Services Exam comprises two stages:
prelims and mains, followed by an interview.
UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination Pattern (400 Marks)
The Preliminary Exam is divided into two sections: General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). Both papers are objective in nature (multiple choice questions).
The examination is of two hours and is a qualifying in nature with minimum qualifying marks of 33%.
UPSC Civil Services Main Exam Syllabus (1750 Marks)
Applicants who pass the preliminary exam are invited to the main exam, and based on their performance in the main exam; they are invited to the interview. The Main Examination consists of nine papers in total.
The first two papers include an English paper and a Language paper and are qualifying in nature. As a result, the marks obtained in these are not included in the total.
The other papers are as follows:
Essay (in the candidate's preferred language) - 250 marks
- General Studies I (Indian Heritage and Culture, World History and Geography, and Society Geography) - 250 Marks
- General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) - 250 Marks
- General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) - 250 Marks
- General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) - 250 Marks
- Optional Subject - Paper I and II, each carrying 250 marks
- All the 7 papers carry 1750 marks.
Conclusion
Qualifying for the UPSC CSE examination and becoming an IPS is a dream for many candidates, but the arduous examination procedure (about one year) and massive syllabus often smash the dreams of many.
Moreover, leadership, innovation, bravery, enduring respect for humanity, and, most significantly, selflessness - the ability to put the country and society ahead of oneself – are outstanding IPS officers' characteristics.
However, if you work hard and believe you have it in you, pursue your dreams, and you will undoubtedly succeed.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the qualifications to become an IPS officer?
Candidates must have a degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Candidates who are taking their final degree test can also enroll for the Civil Services Preliminary Exam.
Candidates with a professional or technical degree approved by the government are also eligible to apply.
Is the IPS exam difficult?
The Civil Services Examination is one of the most difficult in the country, with over a lakh candidates applying each year. As a result, there is stiff competition.
Candidates interested in joining IPS must therefore prepare thoroughly in order to realize their ambition.
What is the subject of IPS?
To become an IPS officer, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree in any field and then pass the UPSC test. You can finish your 10+2 in the Arts stream with civics.
Also, graduation in civics, economics, history, or political science is also an option. There will be nine papers in your main test.
There will be two 300-marks qualifying papers. The remaining seven subjects will be worth 250 marks each. The marks earned on the qualifying paper will not be taken into account or counted.
Can I join IPS after the 12th?
The eligibility includes 21 years of age, Indian citizenship, and graduation. You can only become an IPS officer and join the elite service after passing all three phases of the UPSC test.
You can choose any stream that interests you after the 12th standard. This will qualify you for the IPS exam.