Indian Police Service
Also called: IPS · Topic: Civil Services: Role, Accountability and Reforms · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 4 "Executive"
Meaning
The Indian Police Service (IPS) is an All India Service. Under Article 312(2), it is deemed to have been created by Parliament. Officers are recruited by the UPSC and allotted to state cadres. They lead state police forces and central police organisations. Police is a State subject, so IPS officers work under the state government day to day, while the Centre keeps final disciplinary powers such as dismissal.
Example
In Prakash Singh (2006), the Supreme Court directed that a state's Director General of Police (DGP), the head of the state police, be picked from the three senior-most officers empanelled by the UPSC, with a two-year minimum tenure. A 2018 order barred "acting" DGPs.
Don't confuse with
- State police services: these officers are recruited by the state and serve only in that state's police. IPS officers are recruited by the UPSC and can serve both their state cadre and the Centre.
Related concepts
- All India Services
- Indian Administrative Service
- Indian Forest Service
- Central deputation
- Central Staffing Scheme