Full Form of IG

The full form of IG is Inspector General of Police, which is one of the highest ranks in the Indian Police Force referring to the head of a large regional command of the police service.

Who is the Inspector-General of Police?

The IG in the Indian Police Force is a senior police officer who is ranked as the head of a large regional command of the police service. Only an IPS officer who has completed 19 years of service in the department can be promoted to become the Inspector-General.

Responsibility for the entire administrative management of the police force lies with the Inspector General (IG) and he/she also has the command over the national police service and may perform functions as per the national legislation. He/She has the power to appoint, and look over the postings, suspensions and promotions in accordance with the instructions and rules notified by the Government. As per the Police Act, 1861, apart from this, the IG of police has the full power of a Magistrate throughout the general police district. But, this power may vary as per the limitation imposed by the state govt.

The first step to take, if you want to become the IG of police is to start from IPS. And, to become an IPS officer, you have to start by applying for the UPSC examination. Then, serving as an excellent IPS officer for a number of years, you might be appointed as the IG. The IG is appointed only for a single 4-year term and he/she cannot be appointed to the same rank again.

IG of Police: History

In the Superior Police Services (later- Imperial Police Services), when the British government introduced the Indian Council Act 1861, the rank of the IG was the senior-most rank. The main purpose of the Indian Council Act of 1861 was to change the executive system of governance in India into a cabinet run on a portfolio system.

To add to this, in the same Indian Council Act 1861, the Imperial Police Services, a new cadre of police, was created. This Imperial Police was also part of the police force at the time, which was known as the Indian Police Services. This cadre was created after the First War of Independence in 1857.

But, later the Imperial Police Service was changed into the Indian Police Service in the year 1948, just after India attained Independence.

How is IG of Police Appointed?

The position of the Inspector-General of Police is a venerable and prestigious position with many responsibilities. Therefore, it takes the government and the Police Services an immense amount of confidence in the person, to appoint him/her as the Inspector-General of Police.

The first step is to pass the Indian Civil Service Exams that are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission or State Public Service Commission. After passing the exam, he/she can be an IPS officer and can be posted as an SP. Then after 14 years of immaculate service, one gets promoted from the post of SP to become a DIG. After this, it takes about 3-5 years to get promoted to the position of Inspector-General (IG) of Police.

If he/she has passed the State Civil Service Exams, then they or get to be a DSP, who becomes the SP after about 10-15 years of service. Then they are promoted to become the DIG and finally, by the end of their career, they can be an IG.

If an IPS officer has completed 19 years in service, they are also qualified to be appointed for the rank of an IG. The IG is chosen when the President of India nominates and the Senate confirms.

IG of Police: Roles

• It is the responsibility of the office of the IG to review allegations or reports of wrongdoings and also to check if some contractors or workers are involved in fraud or abuse.
• Between the DGP and the District office, the IG of a zone acts as a conduit.
• The IG makes sure that police from several ranges or districts under his charge work together.
• The IG has the authority to advise, command, or provide orders to DIGs and SPs in his area so that they are aware of and do not supersede one another in their assigned tasks.
• The IG of a zone can overcome the Range DIG and SP and seize complete control of the situation, in case of an emergency.
• The IG pays special attention to the training of Armed Reserves to maintain a high degree of efficiency and discipline in the police forces.
• The IG can guide and instruct his range of DIGs and SPs in serious cases as well as to conduct personal investigations.
• Copies of his tour programmes are given to the DGP and SP under him.