A DGP is a reputed police officer who is responsible for heading the police forces in any particular state or union territory. The full form of DGP is the “Director-General of Police” in India. Therefore a Director-General of Police can also be known as State Police Chief. The rank of the DGP is one of the highest ranks in the Indian police department. Apart from rank superiority, the position is one of the most respectable and honorable positions in the police profession. A DGP is a 3-star rank in the Indian Police Service. Only an IPS officer is eligible to become a Director-General of Police after getting appointed by the Cabinet for this post which means the candidate will have to become an IPS officer first by clearing the UPSC Exam in order to get promoted as a DGP. Read this article to know all the details on How to become DGP.

The article throws light on the following with respect to How to become a DGP officer,

• The education and skill set required by the candidate to become a DGP.
• A detailed view on the job description and the responsibilities of a DGP.
• Eligibility criteria and steps that the candidates must follow to become a DGP.
• A further insight to career advancements and opportunities after becoming a DGP.

How to Become DGP: Eligibility Criteria

It is necessary for the candidates to abide by the respective eligibility criteria to become a DGP. To become a Director General of Police (DGP) in India, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria while they think of how to become DGP in Police:

1. Citizenship: The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
2. Age: The candidate should be between 55 to 58 years of age, depending on the state or union territory in which he/she is applying for the post.
3. Education: The candidate must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. A postgraduate degree in subjects like law, management, or criminology is preferred.
4. Experience: The candidate must have at least 30 years of experience in law enforcement agencies like the Indian Police Service (IPS) or the state police service.
5. Rank: The candidate should have served at least two years in the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP) or equivalent.
6. Fitness: The candidate should be physically fit and mentally sound.
7. No criminal record: The candidate should not have any criminal record.

It is important to note that the exact eligibility criteria may vary slightly from state to state in India, as the appointment of DGP is done by the respective state government.

Steps on How to Become DGP

The candidate has to first become an IPS officer first to get promoted as a Director General of Police, the candidate will have to serve for years as an IPS officer, and then he/she may get promoted as a DGP. So below mentioned are the initial steps to - How to become DGP:

Step 1: Candidates must apply for the Civil Services Exam by visiting the official website of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam. Candidates can get online notifications about the exam application or through even newspapers. Generally, the notifications are released in the month of December every year. The UPSC exam is divided into three parts: 

1. Preliminary Exam 
2. Mains
3. Interview round.

Step 2: Candidates will have to appear for the Preliminary Exam of Civil Services Exam - The preliminary exam for the Indian Police Service is conducted between the months of May and June and the results of the exam are released between the months of July and August. The exam carries 400 marks and it is divided into two papers - Paper-I and Paper-II respectively.

Step 3: After qualifying for the Preliminary exam, candidates need to appear in the CSE Mains Exam.

Step 4: After qualifying in the Mains exam, candidates will appear in the Interview Round - Candidates will be called for a Personal Interview round if they succeed in qualifying for the Mains exam. Interview will be conducted by the authorities of the UPSC. During the Final Interview round, candidates will be judged and marked on the basis of subject knowledge and mental ability. 

Step 5: Try to secure the best rank as the top rank holders will be admitted as IPS Probationary Officers where candidates get their training to become Police Officers.

Step 6: After the completion of the training, candidates will be posted to the Police and Investigative Organizations. 

How to Become DGP: Roles and Responsibilities

Candidates thinking of how to become DGP must be knowing a lot of things in advance. In India, DGP stands for Director General of Police, and is the highest-ranking officer in the state police force. The DGP is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of law and order in the state, as well as for the effective functioning of the police force under his or her command. Some of the roles and responsibilities of the DGP in India include:

1. Overall command and control of the state police force: The DGP is responsible for the overall management of the state police force, including its personnel, equipment, and resources.
2. Maintaining law and order: The DGP is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of law and order in the state, and for taking steps to prevent and control crime.
3. Investigation of serious crimes: The DGP oversees the investigation of serious crimes, such as murder, rape, and terrorism, and ensures that the investigations are conducted in a timely and efficient manner.
4. Coordination with other law enforcement agencies: The DGP coordinates with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), on matters of national security and other important issues.
5. Public safety and security: The DGP is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the public, and for taking steps to prevent and control civil unrest and other public disturbances.
6. Training and development of police personnel: The DGP is responsible for the training and development of police personnel, and for ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively.
7. Budget management: The DGP is responsible for managing the budget of the state police force, and for ensuring that resources are allocated in an appropriate and effective manner.
8. Policy development: The DGP is also responsible for developing policies and procedures for the state police force, and for ensuring that they are in line with national and international standards.

Overall, the role of the DGP in India is critical to the effective functioning of the state police force, and to the maintenance of law and order in the state.

Salary of a DGP in India

The salary of a Director General of Police (DGP) in India varies depending on the state and department they are employed in. However, the salary structure is generally determined by the recommendations of the Pay Commission. As of 2021, the basic pay of a DGP in India is around Rs. 2,25,000 per month. In addition to the basic pay, a DGP is entitled to various allowances, such as dearness allowance, house rent allowance, and medical allowance. The total salary of a DGP can also include other benefits like a government-provided car, security personnel, and other perks depending on the state and department. It is important to note that the salary of a DGP can vary greatly depending on their experience, rank, and the state or department they are employed in. The salary may also be subject to revision from time to time based on the recommendations of the Pay Commission.

Perks of Being a DGP

Candidates can avail a lot of benefits once they get positioned as a DGP. In India, DGP has several perks of being in that role, some of the perks are mentioned below for reference,

• A DGP can have a private accommodation along with housing facilities. 
• Domestic helpers and personal security guards will be available for a DGP.
• A DGP has an official vehicle along with a personal driver. 
• Other basic facilities for a DGP includes free electricity, telephone services, free medical facilities, and medical treatment. 
• A DGP also ha, provident fund, lifetime pension, leave, and study leaves for a maximum of 2 years at a full stretch with the expenses taken care by the government.
• A DGP has permanent job security etc.

We hope that this article concerning How to Become DGP was impressive and informative for the preparation of aspirants. For similar content, information and updates on the same exam and other competitive exams, aspirants can install our Testbook App dedicated for all types of exam updates, and mock tests to start their online coaching with us.