Police Sub-Inspector (SI)

Running a police station beat, registering FIRs, investigating crimes, collecting evidence, recording statements, patrolling, keeping law and order at fairs and protests, and writing court reports. SIs often lead a team of constables.

A day in the work
You start at the police station, check the overnight diary and hear what your constables found on patrol. A complaint comes in, so you register an FIR and go to the spot to talk to the people involved and note down evidence. Between visits you write case diaries, send papers to court and meet witnesses. Some days you are on duty at a procession, a fair or an election booth, and if a serious case lands you may work well past your shift.

1. Step 1 · Class 7–12No special subjects are needed. Keep fit through sport and running. Read newspapers and build a strong base in Hindi/your state language, English, basic Maths and reasoning, because the written tests check these (reported).
2. Step 2 · Degree, about 3 yearsComplete any bachelor's degree. The minimum age is usually 20–21 years and the maximum is about 25–28, so check your state's notice early. In UP's 2025 notice the range was 21–28 years as on 1 July 2025; for Delhi Police SI 2026 it was 20–25 years (both reported). Age relaxations apply for reserved categories. (reported — check with the official body)
3. Step 3 · Written examAn objective (MCQ) exam, usually computer-based. UP's 2025 paper was 2 hours, with Hindi, general knowledge/law/Constitution, numerical ability and reasoning (reported). In some states, such as Madhya Pradesh in 2026, there is a prelims and then a mains exam. Delhi Police SI uses SSC's two papers: Paper-I, then an English Paper-II after the physical tests (reported). (reported — check with the official body)
4. Step 4 · Physical Standard and Efficiency TestsYour height, chest (for men) and weight (for women) are measured. Then comes a timed run and other events. In UP's 2025 notice men ran 4.8 km in 28 minutes and women ran 2.4 km in 16 minutes (reported). Standards differ by state and category. (reported — check with the official body)
5. Step 5 · Documents, medical and interviewYour certificates are checked, you take a medical exam and police verification of your character is done. Some states also hold an interview, for example Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh (reported). (reported — check with the official body)
6. Step 6 · TrainingSelected candidates join a police training college as trainee sub-inspectors. Training is paid: for example, Andhra Pradesh advertises these posts as 'Stipendiary Cadet Trainee' (reported). It covers law, investigation, drill, weapons and fitness. Its length varies by state.
7. Step 7 · Probation and postingAfter training you are posted to a police station or unit on probation. After probation you are confirmed and can later be promoted to Inspector and beyond. (reported — check with the official body)

• State police SI examThe most common route. You apply to your own state's police recruitment board and usually serve in that state. Each state sets its own age limit, physical standards and exam pattern.
• Delhi Police SI through SSCThe SSC runs a combined exam for Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in the central armed police forces. In 2026, 317 of 1,871 vacancies were for Delhi Police (reported). Check the CAPF SI page for the central forces.
• Serving police quotaSome states keep a share of SI posts for serving policemen and ex-servicemen. Madhya Pradesh's 2026 table lists such quotas (reported). You can only use this route if you are already in the police or have served.

Fees from: UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, official portal · SSC CPO 2026 SI posts (MSN news report) · SSC notice: Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPF Examination 2026 (PDF) · TSLPRB notification: SI (Civil) 2022, stipend clause (PDF). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Pay starts at a fixed government scale and rises with promotions and years of service, and allowances such as house rent depend on the city and state you are posted in.

Women have separate vacancies and separate physical standards. UP's 2025 notice set women's minimum height at 152 cm and weight at 40 kg, with a 2.4 km run (reported), and ST candidates get lower height limits. Police jobs need the physical and medical tests, so check each notice for rules on disability, which I could not confirm.

• Class 7–9Start a simple fitness habit this month: running three or four mornings a week and one sport at school. Also read one newspaper editorial a day.
• Class 10–12Join your school or college NCC unit or Scouts and Guides, or look at the free MY Bharat volunteering portal (for age 15+). They build discipline, drill and community service.Open link ↗
• College or afterRead the basics of criminal law (the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) on the India Code site, and note down the parts that explain an FIR.Open link ↗

• Police is a state subject in India, so rules differ by state. Always read your own state board's latest notice for age, height, fees and exam pattern.
• Dates, vacancies and fees change every year. The UP and SSC details in this profile are from 2025–26 notices and were not read from the official PDFs, so treat them as reported and check the official portals listed below.
• Posting is anywhere in the state, and transfers are common.
• Want to be a police officer without a degree? Look at police constable. For a higher rank through UPSC and state services, look at DSP (state police service) and civil services.