Deputy Superintendent of Police (State Police Service)

Leading a police sub-division (several police stations) as the Sub-Divisional Police Officer. Supervising and sometimes personally investigating serious cases. Keeping law and order during festivals, protests and elections. Guiding inspectors and sub-inspectors, dealing with courts, and meeting the public.

A day in the work
The day often starts with a briefing from the station house officers about overnight incidents. Then you may review a serious case file with an inspector, visit a crime scene, or meet people who feel their complaint was ignored. In the afternoon there could be a court matter, a meeting with the SP, or planning police arrangements for a festival or election rally. Evenings and nights are not fixed, because you are called out whenever something big happens in your sub-division.

1. Step 1 · Class 9–12Pick any stream you can do well in. You do not need Science. Build daily fitness habits, since physical standards are checked later. Start reading a newspaper and learning how your state and country work.
2. Step 2 · 3 years after Class 12Complete a bachelor's degree in any subject. Check the age limit while you study. Recent 2026 notices showed 21–30 years for DSP (Civil) in Andhra Pradesh (reported). The age limit and any relaxations differ by state and category.
3. Step 3 · Prelims / screening testAn objective (MCQ) test on general studies and aptitude. It is only a filter, and its marks usually do not count in the final merit list. Andhra Pradesh's 2026 screening test was set for 24 January 2027, with negative marking (reported). Each state has its own pattern, so read your state's notice. (reported — check with the official body)
4. Step 4 · MainsDescriptive written papers. These typically cover general studies, essay, and topics such as law, ethics and administration. Several posts (Deputy Collector, DSP and others) are filled from the same combined exam, so you pick DSP as a preference. (reported — check with the official body)
5. Step 5 · InterviewA personality test. Uttarakhand's 2026 notice carried 150 marks for the interview (reported). The board looks at judgement, honesty, leadership and how you handle pressure. (reported — check with the official body)
6. Step 6 · Physical measurement and medicalHeight, chest (for men) and eyesight are checked. In some states this is after the mains and before the interview. For example, Haryana held its DSP measurement test on 1 October 2026 for 183 candidates called after the mains (reported). Women have lower height standards. Vision rules are strict. (reported — check with the official body)
7. Step 7 · About 15–16 months of training, then probationThe national police research body (BPRD) has a model DSP training plan. It has a 2-month foundation course, 8 months of classroom training, 2 months of field work in police stations, 3 months of further classroom training, and a 1-month attachment at district headquarters. After this you serve as a probationer. Your state decides the length of probation and confirms you in the post.

• Direct recruitment through the State PSCThe main route for graduates. You enter straight as DSP after the exam stages, the physical and medical tests, and training.
• Promotion from within the policeIn many states, experienced inspectors can be promoted to DSP on seniority and performance. This is a long path that starts with joining the police at a lower rank. Rules vary by state, so check your state's police service rules.

Fees from: BPRD: Training Module for Deputy Superintendent of Police · Guru Ghasidas University fee structure 2026-27 (PDF). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Pay is a fixed government scale that rises with years of service and promotions, and it differs a little from state to state. Allowances change with the posting. Entry-level DSPs earn much less than senior officers.

Physical standards are lower for women: in Haryana's 2026 process women needed 5 ft 2 in and had no chest requirement (reported). Some states relax height for ST and hill-area candidates, for example Uttarakhand (reported). Uttarakhand's 2026 notice also kept 4 of 14 DSP posts for Uttarakhand women (reported). Vision and medical standards are strict for everyone. Students with disabilities should read the vision and medical rules in their state's notice before planning.

• Class 7–9Start a simple daily fitness routine (running, skipping or a sport) and read one newspaper page about your state each day.
• Class 10–12Join your school's NCC unit, if there is one, or a scouts or sports club. Parades and team activities build discipline and leadership. Also look at volunteering on MY Bharat if you are 15 or older.Open link ↗
• College or afterThis month, read the official syllabus and last year's notice of your own state PSC. Browse India Code to see how criminal law and the Constitution are written.Open link ↗

• There is no single national DSP exam. Each state PSC runs its own recruitment, so age limits, physical standards, vacancies and the order of stages all differ. Always read your own state's latest notice.
• Vacancies are small and uneven. Uttarakhand's 2026 combined notice listed 14 DSP posts out of 67 posts in total (reported). Andhra Pradesh's 2026 notice listed 36 DSP (Civil) posts (reported).
• A DSP (the rank is called ACP in some big-city commissionerates) is a state service officer. An IPS officer is selected through UPSC and belongs to an all-India service. They are not the same post.
• Not sure about the physical standards or the uniformed life? Look at the police sub-inspector route, or at other state civil services posts that have no physical test.