How To Know An Indian Police Officer's Rank By Stars On Their Uniform

The Indian Police Service (IPS) has lakhs of male and female police officers. Every state has their police force and every year, lakhs of candidates apply to be recruited into the police service only after they crack the tough written exam and qualifying the physical eligibility test. Have you noticed that police officers of different ranking have stars or insignias on their uniform that indicate their rank?

Police officers’ uniforms are based on their rank. As and when one officer gets promoted and finally climbs the ladder of success, the uniform also changes. A constable is the starting position and their uniform has no badge or star, but it is an important position just like others which has to be performed with complete honesty.

Head Constable

A head constable’s uniform has one black and two yellow stripes. In some states, the badges have red stripes.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI)

An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) is senior to head constables. Their uniform has one star along with red and blue stripes.

Sub-inspector (SI)

A sub-inspector’s uniform has two stars with a red and blue stripe.

Inspector

An inspector’s uniform has three stars with a red and blue stripe.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)

The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) is a designation representing the state police. Their uniform has three stars on a badge with red and khaki stripes.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)

After an IPS officer cracks the exam, the first rank they get is Additional Deputy Commissioner. Their uniform bears the Ashoka Emblem. This rank is considered to be equivalent to a captain in the army.

Superintendent of Police (SP)

The Superintendent of Police, aka, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) has just one star along with the Ashoka Emblem in their uniform.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)

The Senior Superintendent of Police are posted in the big cities and have two stars with the Ashoka Emblem.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)

The DIG’s uniform features three stars with the Ashoka Emblem and the IPS badge.

Inspector General of Police (IG)

The Police Commissioner, also known as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has a uniform with a sword and a star, along with the IPS badge.