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Director General of Police or DGP is the Highest police rank in India. Undoubtedly, the DGP is the head of state police. Additional Director General of the police or ADG is the Second highest rank in the police. Police play an important role in maintaining the law and order of the State and UTs. According to the Indian Constitution, the rank of a police officer is a subject that comes under the State government. Moreover, an IPS officer can be considered the DGP officer of the state police.
Table of Contents
- 1 Facts about the Highest Police Rank in India- DGP
- 2 What is the Qualification of DGP?
- 3 The Order of Police Rank in India
- 4 The Police Rank With Insignia
- 5 What is the Highest Rank in State Police?
- 6 Who is the Top Police Officer in India in 2025?
- 7 Difference Between Commissioner of Police and DGP
- 8 FAQs
Facts about the Highest Police Rank in India- DGP
The rank of police officers in India is still based according to British Rule. At that time, the use of the Police was to control the people and not serve them. Additionally, the Director General of Police is the highest police rank in India and is appointed by the Indian Police Services Cabinet.
- Moreover, to be considered for the position of DGP one must have at least 33 years of service.
- DGP is often referred to as the State Police Chief as they usually hold the highest rank in the state police force in India.
- Additionally, the DGP holds a 3-star rank and is appointed by the Cabinet.
- There are additional officers within the police hierarchy who may hold the position of DGP at the state level.
- Furthermore, DGPs have Gorget patches on their collars, featuring a dark blue background adorned with stitched oak leaf patterns.
What is the Qualification of DGP?
Additionally, to qualify for the position of Director General of Police (DGP):
- The applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Moreover, they must be eligible for the UPSC test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
- Furthermore, they must have achieved the rank of an IPS officer.
Consequently, advancement through promotion is the sole pathway to the DGP role.
Must Read: Who was The First Woman Governor of an Indian State?
The Order of Police Rank in India
In addition, the Order of Police Rank in India is as follows:
- DGP– Director General of Police (Highest Rank in Police)
- ADGP – Additional Director General of Police
- IG– Inspector General of Police
- DIG – Deputy Inspector General of Police
- SSP – Senior Superintendent of Police
- SP– Superintendent of Police
- ASP – Additional Superintendent of Police
- DSP– Deputy Superintendent of Police
- ASP– Additional Superintendent of Police
- ASP – Assistant SP (usually IPS) or Deputy SP(HPS)
- IP – Inspector of Police
- SI – Sub-Inspector of Police
- ASI – Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police
- Head Constable
- Constable
- SPO’s
Also Read: Who was the First Governor General of India?
The Police Rank With Insignia
Moreover, the Police Rank with Insignia is:
- Insignia of DGP- Crossed Sword, Baton and State Emblem
- Insignia of IG- Crossed Sword, Baton and One Star
- Insignia of SP- State Emblem and One Star
- Insignia of DSP- Three Stars
- Insignia of ASP- State Emblem
Thus, apart from the DGP in the Police role, other officers too hold the rank of a DGP in different investigation or other government agencies. Moreover, they would include the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Agency, the General Director of Fire Forces and Civil Defence, the General Director of Prisons, CID, and more.
What is the Highest Rank in State Police?
Which is the Highest Police Rank in Indian states?The Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP) is the highest police rank in certain states. On the other hand, in certain metropolitan areas (like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai), the highest position is that of a Commissioner of Police. An additional DGP or IGP will be posted depending on the size of the city and its administrative structure.
Who is the Top Police Officer in India in 2025?
The top police officer in India is Harish Kumar Gupta. He is an IPS officer from the 1992 batch. Today, he serves as the Director General of Police (Head of Police Force for Andhra Pradesh. Moreover, he holds the position of Director General, Vigilance & Enforcement, and ex officio Principal Secretary (Vigilance & Enforcement) in the General Administration Department. He has worked for 3 decades and has received numerous awards. This includes the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
Perks and Benefits of IPS
Now you know that DGP is the highest police position. A DGP is usually an IPS officer. Let’s learn the perks and benefits of an IPS officer in India. The salary is established by the 7th Pay Commission of the government. This includes the basic salary, grade pay, and perks and allowances. An IPS offer generally gets
- Free or low-rent houses provided by the government. Bigger houses are for high-ranking IPS officers.
- They will get official vehicles. The cars they get depend on their rank and department
- They will also get support staff like the housekeepers, drivers, and security guards based on their rank
- Free medical care, and most of their phone and electricity bills are covered.
- They will get a pension for a lifetime after their retirement
- Moreover, they can take leave to study overseas. The government will cover their expenses.
Difference Between Commissioner of Police and DGP
Which is the Highest Police Rank in India? It’s the DGP. The DGP and the Commission of Police are two different positions. The table below shows the difference between the commissioner of police and the DGP.
| S.No. | Parameter | Commissioner of Police (CP) | Director General of Police (DGP) |
| 1 | Jurisdiction | Heads a city‑level police commissionerate (major metropolitan area or cluster of districts) | Heads the entire state or Union Territory police force |
| 2 | Rank | Not a rank, but a posting; held by an IPS officer of DIG, IGP or ADGP level, depending on city size | Highest rank in the state police; a three‑star IPS officer |
| 3 | Appointment Authority | Appointed by the state government (or Union Govt for national capitals); rank sanctioned as per state rules | Appointed by the state cabinet (often on PSC recommendation) under legal guidelines |
| 4 | Powers | Granted executive magistrate powers within their commissionerate; can issue direct orders under CrPC | Holds administrative & operational control over the state force; sets strategy and policy |
| 5 | Reporting | Reports to the State DGP (except in certain metros where CP and DGP roles run parallel) | Reports directly to the Home Minister/Chief Secretary of the state |
| 6 | Distribution Across India | Present only in commissionerate cities (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai) | Universal: every state and UT has a DGP as its police chief |
FAQs
In metropolitan cities, the top police officer holds the title of “Commissioner of Police” (CP), while in smaller districts, they are known as the “Superintendent of Police” (SP). Moreover, at the state level, the highest-ranking position in the police force is the Director General of Police (DGP).
The DGP has to report to the state government or the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department or the Home Secretary. The Cabinet appoints the DGP.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) is the second-highest police rank in India after the DGP.
An IPS officer can be appointed as Director General of Police after 30+ years of service in the Police. Otherwise, the most senior police officer can get appointed for this post.
The highest rank in the Indian police force is that of a DGP. A DGP is the highest-ranking officer in the states and the Union territories. This is a 3-star rank job and is held by an IPS officer.
Many IPS officers are considered the best. Some of the best and well-known IPS officers are: Kiran Bedi, Sanjukta Parashar, D Roopa, Julio Ribeiro, Ajit Doval (Former officer), and Rishi Kumar Shukla.
Hope you have gotten all the relevant information about the Highest Police Rank in India! Moreover, you may even read more blogs and empower yourself with knowledge regarding Civics and Polity! If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our general knowledge page!
