How to Become a Police Sub-Inspector (SI) in India

A Sub-Inspector (SI) is an officer-rank position in the police, leading a police station team and investigating cases. There are two main routes: the SSC CPO exam and state police recruitment.

Two routes to becoming an SI

1. SSC CPO — recruits Sub-Inspectors for Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) like BSF, CISF, CRPF. Conducted by the SSC.
2. State Police Recruitment — each state recruits SIs through its own police recruitment board.

Browse current openings on our police sector page and the Sub-Inspector role page.

Eligibility

Requirement	Details (verify the notification)
Education	Graduate degree in any discipline
Age	Approximately 20–25 years (General); relaxations apply
Physical standards	Height, chest (men) and running/PET requirements

Selection process

1. Written exam — objective: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, English (a second paper on comprehension is common in SSC CPO).
2. Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — height, chest measurement and timed runs / long jump / high jump.
3. Medical examination and document verification.

How to prepare

• Written: balance Reasoning, Maths, GK and English; practise mocks.
• Physical: start running and strength training months in advance — many candidates clear the written but fail the PET.
• Know your state's exact physical standards before you begin.

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