Police Ranks in India and Their Badges

Officers of various ranks constitute the Indian Police Department. Examining their badges reveals the differences between them. Candidates interested in joining the Indian police force should be aware of the differences between these grades and badges. We're going to tell you about all of the Indian police ranks or simply the list of police officers ranks in India from this article.

List of Police Ranks in India and their Insignia

Let us look at the organizational structure of the Indian Police Department and the list of police officers ranks in India here.

Each of India's 28 states has its own police force. Each state government is in charge of overseeing it. The state's Chief of Police is known as the Director-General of Police (DGP).

The hierarchical structure and rank of the police organization are as follows:

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1. Director-General of Police (DGP)

Director-General of Police is the full form of DGP. The DGP would be the highest-ranking officer in any state or union territory's police force, with the most power. It is also known as the State Police Chief because it is the head of the state's police force.

A three-star police officer in India is the Director-General of Police (DGP). A three-star rank officer is a senior leader in various military services, according to NATO's OF-8 code.

Rank Insignia of DGP

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The Director-General of Police's rank insignia consists of a crossed sword and stick, as well as the National Emblem, as shown in the above-given image.

DGP level officers wear gorget patches with a dark blue background and a leaf-like structure on their collars, as shown in the image above.

2. Special Director General of Police (SDGP)

The Special Director General of Police (SDGP) is an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS). The Special Director General of Police, like the DGP, is a three-star police officer. As a result, the SDGP rank is regarded as equivalent to the DGP level.

The SDGs, like the ADGs, are assigned to various bureaus as heads. Above SDGP is the rank of Director General of Police (DGP), and below it is the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).

Rank Insignia of SDGP

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An SDGP has a similar logo/insignia to a DGP, which includes a crossed sword and a stick with the national emblem. SDGP level officers wear gorget patches with a dark blue background and a leaf-like structure on their collars.

3. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)

The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) is also a member of the Indian Police Service (IPS). Despite the fact that ADGP, like the Director General of Police, is a three-star rank police officer, he is still considered a junior in the police department to DGP.

In many Indian states, ADGPs are appointed as zonal heads. The Director-General of Police (DGP) is the rank above the Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP), while the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is the rank beneath it (IG).

Rank Insignia of ADGP

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The rank insignia of an ADGP is similar to that of a DGP, consisting of a crossed sword and stick on a bandage placed around the shoulder with the national emblem. Officers holding the rank of ADGP additionally have a Gorget Patch on their collar, which is designed like a leaf and has a dark blue background.

4. Inspector-General of Police (IG)

In 1861, during British rule in India, the British government passed the Indian Council Act. The Superior Police Service, later renamed the Indian Imperial Police, was formed as a result of the act. The position of Inspector General (IG) was the highest rank in the Police Service, according to the Act.

The Inspector-General of Police (IG) is a member of the Indian Police Service (IPS). An IG is the third-highest level of police in any state's police structure, just below the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) and just above the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

Rank Insignia of IG

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An Inspector General of Police's rank insignia is a star with a crossed sword and stick. The Gorget Patch, which has a leaf-like structure and a dark blue background, is worn on the collars of IG rank officers such as DGP and ADGP.

5. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) is an acronym for Deputy Inspector General. Only officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS) or State Police Service who have successfully served as Senior Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police are promoted to this one-star rank in the Indian Police Service.

The Inspector-General of Police (IG) or Joint Commissioner of Police is the rank above DIG, and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) or Deputy Commissioner of Police is the rank below it (DCP).

The Deputy Inspector General of Police assists the Inspector General of Police in supervising and controlling the police force under his jurisdiction. He has particular powers to ensure that the police force in his region is efficient and professional, and he reports the results to the Inspector General of Police.

Rank Insignia of DIG

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The national emblem is accompanied by three stars in the rank badge of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). The Gorget Patch, which has a leaf-like structure and a dark blue background, is used by DIG grade officers, as well as DGP and ADGP.

6. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)

SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) is an acronym for Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). They are in charge of maintaining law and order in the metropolitan districts of all Indian states and union territories.

An officer with the rank of Superintendent of Police (SSP) is a member of the Indian Police Service (IPS). The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) ranks higher than SSP, whereas the Superintendent of Police ranks lower (SP).

Rank Insignia of SSP

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The National Emblem above the two stars is the rank insignia of the Senior Superintendent of Police. Officers with the rank of SSP wear a Gorget patch with a dark blue background and a white line on their collar.

7. Superintendent of Police (SP)

Superintendent of Police is the abbreviation for Superintendent of Police (SP). They are the leaders of India's non-metropolitan districts. He also supervises a large urban or rural area within the district where the district chief is a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). SPs also work in numerous bureaus as subordinates of the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).

A Superintendent of Police is a State Police Service or Indian Police Service officer (IPS). Additional Superintendent of Police is the position below SP (ASP). Senior Superintendent of Police is the next highest position after SP (SSP).

Rank Insignia of SP

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The National Emblem above the bandage on the shoulders with a star is the rank insignia of Superintendent of Police.

8. Additional Superintendent of Police (Add. SP)

Additional Superintendent of Police is abbreviated as ASP (Add. SP). Officers who work as Additional Superintendents of Police (ASP) are recruited from the Indian Police Service (IPS).

An official of the State Police Service or the Indian Police Service serves as an Additional Superintendent of Police (IPS). The position below Add. SP is Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) / Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP). He will be assigned to the DSP post if he comes from the State Police Service, and the ASP position if he arrives from the Indian Police Service (IPS). Senior Superintendent of Police is the next highest position after SP (SSP).

Rank Insignia of ASP

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The National Emblem above the bandage on the shoulders with no star is the rank insignia of the Additional Superintendent of Police.

9. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)

Assistant Superintendent of Police is the abbreviation for Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) officers are recruited from the Indian Police Service (IPS).

Assistant Superintendents of Police are the starting point for all IPS officials. Officers from the state cadre are not eligible for this position. They possess the equivalent of this position, that of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

Rank Insignia of ASP

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The National Emblem above the bandage on the shoulders with no star is the rank insignia of the Assistant Superintendent of Police.

10. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)

Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) is an acronym for Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP). Officials in the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) are state police officers who are responsible for provincial police forces. You can either enter this rank directly by passing the State Public Service Commission exam or work as an inspector for a few years before being promoted.

The DSP rank is popularly referred to as Circle Officer (CO) in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, despite the fact that this is not technically correct because CO is a post, not a rank. The DSP, also known as a sub-divisional police officer, is the official in command of a sub-division in West Bengal (SDPO).

Rank Insignia of DSP

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The Deputy Superintendent of Police's rank insignia consists of three stars above a bandage on his shoulder.

11. Police Inspector (PI)

The officer in charge of a police station is usually the Inspector of Police (PI). A constable, a head constable, a sub-inspector, and an inspector make up an Indian police station. 

The highest command officer is a Police Inspector. Inspector is a level that is higher than Sub Inspector but below than DSP.

Rank Insignia of PI

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The Police Inspector's rank insignia consists of three stars and two red and blue stripes at the bottom, with the red stripe at the top and the blue stripe at the bottom.

12. Sub-Inspector (SI)

A Sub-Inspector (SI) is in charge of the police station and has command over select police officers. He is usually the first investigating officer and one of the lowest-ranking officers in the police force who can file a charge sheet in court under Indian police laws and regulations.

A Sub-Inspector is a police officer who ranks below an Inspector and above an Assistant Police Sub-Inspector (ASI).

Sub-inspectors are primarily recruited from within the police force and have greater academic qualifications than lower-ranking officers.

Rank Insignia of SI

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The Police Sub Inspector rank insignia consists of two stars and two red and blue stripes at the bottom, with the red stripe at the top and the blue stripe at the bottom.

13. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI)

An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) is a non-gazetted officer in India's police services who ranks above a police head constable but below a Sub-inspector. Havildar Major is another title for this position. The officer in command of Police Outposts and Investigation Centers is frequently an ASI.

Rank Insignia of ASI

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A star with a red and blue striped ribbon on the outer edge of the shoulder straps is the rank insignia for an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI).

14. Constable

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14 (a). Head Constable (Havildar)

The Indian police head constable is the equivalent of a sergeant in other countries' police forces. Three red-coloured point-down chevrons on the sleeves or three bars on the shoulder straps are used by head constables.

14 (b). Senior Constable (Lance Naik)

Senior constables have two red point-down chevrons on their sleeves, similar to the head constable's chevron or two shoulder strap bars.

14 (c). Police Constable (PC)

The lowest rank in India's police forces is that of a police constable, followed by that of a senior constable. Each state government hires police constables to maintain normal law and order.

A police constable's shoulders would be covered in a bandage with no insignia. If there is no sign on the shoulder or sleeve of a police officer, it is believed that the officer is a constable in the force.