How to Become a CBI Officer in India?

There are many positions of Indian officers (gazetted) like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IRAS, IRPS, Officers of Indian Armed Forces, etc. Among these, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) stands as the premier investigating agency of India operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. To be qualified for a position as a CBI officer, a student must know the details and requirements of the position in India.  The candidate must also possess certain qualities and qualifications as demanded by the profession. In this blog, we will discuss how to become a CBI Officer in India.

What Does a CBI Officer Do?

A CBI Officer investigates grievous cases and provides leadership and direction in fighting corruption to the Police force across the country. Their major investigation crimes include special crimes, economic crimes, cases of corruption, murder cases, etc. Mentioned below are the duties of a CBI Officer in India. Before planning to become a CBI Officer, candidates must go through the duties of a CBI Officer thoroughly to be well prepared in advance.

• Investigating cases of corruption and bribery
• Investigating cases of infringement of fiscal and economic laws
• Coordinating tasks and working with anti-corruption agencies
• Maintenance of crime statistics

Also Read: How to Become an Income Tax Officer?

Eligibility to Become a CBI Officer

To become a CBI Officer in India, candidates must meet the basic eligibility criteria set by the conducting authority.

• Candidates must have completed schooling and the XIIth from a recognised board.
• They must hold a bachelor’s degree from any recognised university.
• Candidates who are appearing for the final year of their graduation can also apply.
• The age limit for the General Category is 20-30, 20-33 years for the OBC Category, and 20-35 for the SC/ST Category.

Physical Requirements to Become a CBI Officer

There are additional physical eligibility criteria that candidates must fulfil. Tabulated below are the physical eligibility criteria for men and women, respectively.

Feature	Men	Women
Height	165 cm	150cm
Chest	76 cm with expansion	NA
EyeSight	Distant Vision: 6/6 and 6/9 Near Vision: 0.6 and 0.8	Distant Vision: 6/6 and 6/9 Near Vision: 0.6 and 0.8

How to Become a CBI Officer in India?

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is one of the most prestigious investigative agencies in India. Many students aspire to join the CBI because of the authority, responsibility, and national impact associated with the role. However, the entry process is highly competitive and demands early and focused preparation. Here is a complete guide on how to become a CBI officer in India.

Main Pathways to Join the CBI

There are two primary routes through which candidates can join the CBI. Your choice depends on the post you aim for and your long-term career goals.

Through UPSC Civil Services Examination (Group A Posts)

Candidates who wish to join the CBI at senior levels must appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and become an IPS officer. After joining IPS, they can be posted or deputed to the CBI. This is the route for those who aspire to hold top leadership roles within the agency.

Through SSC CGL Examination (Sub-Inspector/Inspector Posts)

Candidates who wish to join the CBI as Sub-Inspectors or Inspectors must clear the SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination. The CGL exam is conducted in multiple stages, and after successfully clearing all stages, candidates become eligible for selection into the CBI.

Exam Pattern for Becoming a CBI Officer

The exam pattern depends on the entry route. Below is a simplified version of how the selection process usually works.

UPSC Civil Services Examination (for Group A – IPS)

Preliminary Examination

Consists of two objective papers:

• General Studies (GS Paper 1): 200 marks, 2 hours
• CSAT (Paper 2): 200 marks, 2 hours (qualifying with 33%)

Mains Examination

Candidates who pass the prelims appear for the mains, which includes:

• Essay paper
• General Studies papers
• Optional subject papers (two papers from one chosen subject)
• Compulsory language and English papers

Interview (Personality Test)

Selected candidates appear for a personal interview after clearing the mains.

After becoming an IPS officer, candidates may be posted to the CBI via deputation.

SSC CGL Examination (for Sub-Inspector/Inspector)

The SSC CGL exam is conducted in four main tiers.

Tier I – Preliminary Exam

A computer-based exam covering:

• General Intelligence and Reasoning
• General Awareness
• Quantitative Aptitude
• English Comprehension

Tier II – Main Examination

Also computer-based, includes:

• Quantitative Abilities
• English Language and Comprehension
• Statistics (for certain posts)
• Finance & Accounts / Economics (for certain posts)

Tier III/Skill Test/Document Verification

Depending on the post, candidates may go through descriptive papers, skill tests, and verification of academic and identity documents.

Once all stages are completed, candidates are allotted posts based on merit and preferences. Those who rank within the required cutoff can join as Sub-Inspectors in the CBI.

Training and Posting

Selected candidates undergo probation and receive training in investigative procedures, criminal laws, case handling, intelligence gathering, and fieldwork. IPS officers deputed to CBI receive specialized training for handling sensitive and high-profile cases.

Preparation Tips

While preparing to become a CBI Officer, candidates must keep the following tips in mind.

• Candidates must adhere to the timetable.
• They must be consistent in their practice.
• Candidates must solve the last 10 years ‘ papers of SSC-CGL.
• They must appear for as many mock tests as possible.
• Aspirants must also keep themselves updated with everyday happenings, and to do so, they should regularly read newspapers. 

CBI Officer Salary

The salary varies depending on the division and category of placement in the CBI. While the salary of a Sub Inspector in CBI is approximately 9,300-34,800 Indian Rupees per month, the salary CBI Inspector is in Grade Pay of 4200 rupees, and the total salary in hand is 44000 Indian Rupees. The CBI has the following divisions.

• Anti-Corruption Division
• Central Forensic Science Laboratory
• Directorate of Prosecution
• Administration Division
• Economic Offences Division
• Special Crimes Division
• Policy & Coordination Division

Average Salary of a CBI Officer in India

The average salary of a CBI officer depends on the rank and post. Here is an average salary overview of a CBI officer in India:

Post	Pay Level	Monthly Salary
Inspector	Level 7	INR 44,900- INR 1,42,400
Sub-Inspector	Level 7	INR 44,900- INR 1,42,400
DSP	Level 10	INR 56,100- INR 1,77,500
SP	Level 11/12	INR 67,700- INR 2,08,700
Joint Director	Level 13	INR 1,23,100- INR 2,15,900

Also Read: Dig Up Different Jobs in Criminology

Career Growth and Promotion

Promotions in CBI are based on performance, experience, and seniority. Here is a typical hierarchy: 

• Sub-Inspector
• Inspector
• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
• Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP)
• Superintendent of Police (SP)
• Senior SP
• Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
• Joint Director
• Additional Director
• Director, CBI

FAQs

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