In India, thepolice forces of the states and union territories are responsible forlaw enforcement in thestates and union territories. Police and Public Order are State subjects under theSeventh Schedule to theConstitution of India.^[1]

The following sections list the State Police forces and Union Territory Police forces in India, along with their specialised units, presented in tabular form.

The Police Act of 1861 established the principles of organization for police forces in India and, with minor modifications, continues in effect. Although state police forces are separate and may differ in quality of equipment and resources, their patterns of organization and operation are similar.

The state police function under the administrative control of the state home department, which is headed by theadditional chief secretary or theprincipal secretary to the government, generally an officer of theIndian Administrative Service.

Each state maintains its own police force, headed by aDirector General of Police (DGP), an officer of theIndian Police Service. The state police is responsible for the maintenance of law and order in both urban and rural areas. The director general of police who functions as theHead of Police Force (HoPF) is responsible for overall police administration in the state.

The DGP is supported by one or moreAdditional Directors General of Police (ADGs). Other officers of director general (DG) rank may be posted as heads of specialised organisations not directly under the control of the DGP, such as the police recruitment board, the fire and rescue services, training academies, anti corruption bureau, prisons department, etc.Additional Directors General of Police (ADGs) head specialised bureaus and functional areas such as law and order, intelligence, administration, the crime branch, training, armed police and other related divisions. These special units has its own administrative/operational divisions; and officers.

The General Executive Branch—also known as the Civil Police or Law and Order Wing—is divided into police zones, police ranges, and police districts for effective police administration. The structure of police zones and ranges varies from one state police force to another. Typically, a police zone consists of two or more police ranges and is headed by an Inspector General of Police (IG). A police range comprises several police districts and is headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). Prominent zones are generally headed by an ADG, while others are supervised by anInspector General of Police (IG). Each range consists of several police districts and is headed either by an IG (in important ranges) or aDeputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

Apolice district, headed by aSuperintendent of Police (SP), is the primary operational and functional unit of the state police. The District Superintendent of Police is responsible for police administration in the district, including the maintenance of law and order, crime prevention, and crime investigation. In major districts, the post is designated as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), who may be assisted by two or more additional SPs. Where an SP heads the district, they are typically assisted by one or twoAdditional Superintendent of Polices (Addl.SPs). Each district is further divided into sub-divisions or circles, each under the charge of aDeputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Sub-divisions comprise several police stations, which are headed by anInspector of Police and supported bySub-Inspectors (SIs) andAssistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs).

In rural police districts, police circles exist between the subdivision and the police station. A police circle typically comprises two or three police stations and is headed by aninspector designated as the Circle Inspector. This system exists only in rural areas, where the officer in charge of a police station is usually a Sub-Inspector (SI). Officers of the rank of SI and above are authorised to file charge sheets in court.

The police constabulary, consisting ofhead constables andconstables, forms the field-level staff of a police station. They perform routine policing functions such as beat patrolling, traffic management, crime prevention, and assisting in criminal investigations.

District SPs exercise significant discretionary authority in overseeing subordinate police stations, investigation units, equipment depots, armouries, and the traffic police. However, they do not possess the powers of an executive magistrate. Such powers are vested in thedistrict magistrate (DM), an officer of the Indian Administrative Service, who is empowered to promulgate orders under Section 144 of theCode of Criminal Procedure and to issue arms licences.

The police forces of the Union territories function under the administrative control of the respective Union territory governments or, in some cases, directly under theUnion Ministry of Home Affairs, depending on the territory. Each Union territory police force is headed by a seniorIndian Police Service officer, designated as theDirector General of Police orInspector General of Police (IGP), according to the size and administrative requirements of the territory. Senior leadership of Union territory police forces, as well as some state police, is provided by officers of theAGMUT cadre of theIndian Police Service (IPS).

In larger Union territories, the force is organised into zones, each headed by an IGP, while the entire territory is overseen by a DGP. In smaller Union territories, the force is typically divided only into districts, each headed by aSuperintendent of Police (SP), with the entire territory under the command of an IGP. For example, in the smallest Union territory,Lakshadweep, the police force is headed by a Superintendent of Police, while theAdministrator of Lakshadweep serves as theex officio IGP.^[2]

The organisational structure differs under the commissionerate system, as in the case ofDelhi Police, where the police commissioner exercises both administrative and magisterial powers.

The hierarchy and operational setup in Union territories broadly mirror those of state police forces, with ranges, districts, sub-divisions, circles, and police stations forming the functional hierarchy.

The central governmentcivil servants ofGroup 'A' underIndian Police Service cadre are recruited throughcivil services examination conducted byUnion Public Service Commission. They command and provide leadership to the State and UT Police Forces.

The state governmentcivil servants ofGroup 'B' underState Police Services cadre are recruited bycombined competitive examination conducted by State Public Service Commission.

The state governmentcivil servants ofGroup 'C' andGroup 'D' ofState Police cadre are recruited bysubordinate services examination conducted by State Public Service Commission.

The central governmentcivil servants ofGroup 'B' underUnion Territory Police Service cadre are recruited bycivil services examination conducted byUnion Public Service Commission.

The central governmentcivil servants ofGroup 'C' andGroup 'D' ofUnion Territory Police cadre are recruited bycombined graduate level examination andcommon entrance test conducted byStaff Selection Commission andNational Recruitment Agency.

Uniforms of state and local police vary by grade, region, and type of duty. The main service uniform for state police is khaki. Some city forces, such as theKolkata Police, wear white uniforms. Headgear differs by rank and state; officers usually wear apeaked cap, and constables wearberets orsidecaps.^[3]

Services such as theCentral Bureau of Investigation do not wear a uniform instead business dress (shirt, tie, blazer, etc.) is worn with a badge.

Special-service armed police have tactical uniforms in accordance with their function, and traffic police generally wear a white uniform.^{[citation needed]}

Some major metropolitan cities use the police commissionerate system (likeDelhi,Mumbai,Chennai,Kolkata,Bangalore,Hyderabad,Ahmedabad,Lucknow,Bhubaneswar-Cuttack etc.), headed by aPolice Commissioner. Demand for this system is increasing as it gives police a free hand to act freely and take control of any situation. According to BPRD India, 65 large cities and suburban areas currently have this system. Even in British Raj, the presidency towns ofCalcutta,Bombay andMadras had commissionerate system. Reporting to the Police Commissioner(CP) are the Joint Police Commissioner(Joint CPs), Deputy Commissioner of Police(DCPs) and Assistant Commissioner of Police(ACPs). Commissioners of police and their deputies are empowered as executive magistrates to enforceSection 144 of the CrPC and issue arms licenses.

In most states and territories, police forces are divided into civil (unarmed) police and armed contingents. Civil police staff police stations, conduct investigations, answer routine complaints, perform traffic duties, and patrol the streets. They usually carrylathis, a bamboo staff, weighted (or tipped) with iron.

Armed police are divided into two groups: district armed police and theProvincial Armed Constabulary (Pradeshik). District armed police are organized like an army infantry battalion. Assigned to police stations, they perform guard and escort duties. Each state police force maintains an armed force, with names such as Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Special Armed Police, which is responsible for emergencies and crowd control. They are generally activated on orders from aDeputy Inspector General or higher-level authorities. States which maintain armed contingents use them as an emergency reserve strike force. The units are organized as a mobile armed force under state control or, in the case of district armed police (who are not as well equipped), as a force directed by district superintendents and generally used for riot control.

The Provincial Armed Constabulary is an armed reserve maintained at key locations in some states and activated on orders from the deputy inspector general and higher-level authorities. Armed constabulary are not usually in contact with the public unless they are assigned to VIP duty or maintaining order during fairs, festivals, athletic events, elections, and natural disasters. They may be sent to quell outbreaks of student or labour unrest, organized crime, and communal riots; to maintain key guard posts, and to participate in anti-terrorism operations. Depending on the assignment, the Provincial Armed Constabulary may only carry lathis.

The India Reserve Battalion (IRB) is an armed police unit of the state and union territory police forces of India. Funded jointly by theCentral andState governments, India Reserve Battalion provides additional manpower and resources to state police forces, improving their ability to handle law and order situations and internal security threats and reducing their reliance onCentral Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The objectives and mission of this Battalion are prevention ofinsurgency/extremism and other anti social activities against the country. They were also utilized in other national emergencies like calamities, disaster and riot control, etc.^[7] They are trained on the lines of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

The administrative control of the force was vested with the State government. The IRB is an integral part of the respectiveState Armed Police Forces (SAP). The Central Government has the first call on IRBn and can deploy these battalions anywhere in the country as and when required. State governments are obligated to comply with such requests, ensuring the availability of IRBn personnel for national security missions and disaster relief missions.^[8]

State and UT Armed Police Forces are also assigned with the VIP Security along with CAPFs. They are also assigned the security of important places such as State Legislative Buildings,High Courts,Raj Bhavans,Raj Niwas, Administrator Office, Secretariats, etc.

These are specialized Police units created for some specific purposes such as counter-insurgency, counter-naxalites Operations, etc. They are trained for different purposes such as Jungle Warfare, Mountain Warfare, etc.

State Industrial Security Force is a type ofState Armed Police Force, created on the lines ofCentral Industrial Security Force to protect the airports, factories, etc. of state importance.

State/UT Coastal Police is type of State/UT Armed Police which was created to make an extra security layer on the coastal region. Coastal Police have the responsibility to secure the coasts of the respective States and UTs, along theIndian Coast Guard.

Highway and traffic police in small towns are under the state police; traffic police in cities are under the metropolitan and state police. Traffic police maintain a smooth traffic flow and stop offenders. Highway police secure the highways and catch speeders. Accidents, registrations, and vehicle data are checked by traffic police.

Highway Police or Highway Patrol is a specialized unit of state police forces. The main objectives of Highway Police are controlling Traffic, enforcement of Traffic Laws, prevention of Road Accidents, providing immediate attention and assistance to victims of accidents, handling of Law & Order issues, and enforcement of Laws on National Highways and State Highways, etc. Each Highway Patrol Vehicle is assigned an 'Operational area' and a Base Station.

GRP units are a state maintained forces with its own command structure on Railways with the maintenance cost borne on 50% basis each by particular State and Railways. RPF maintains liaison with GRP for the Law & Order and Crime related matters.^[18]

As the security of tourists is a state subject, theMinistry of Tourism (India), in consultation with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, had proposed to set up tourist police units at prominent tourist spots in the country. As of 2018, 14 States/UTs have deployed the Tourist Police in their States/UTs.^[19]

ACriminal Investigation Department (CID) or Crime Branch is a specialized investigation Wing of the State Police forces of India responsible for the investigation of crime, based on the Criminal Investigation Departments of British police forces. CID is further split into Crime Branch (CB-CID), Anti Narcotics and many further divisions concerned with matters pertaining to crime, investigation, prosecution and collection of criminal intelligence, depending upon the state's Police administration . The nomenclature of CID is different in various states. Some states it is known as Crime Branch and others Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or Criminal Investigation Agency.The functioning of this wing is almost same in all the states. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) or State Crime Branch is headed by anAdditional Director General of Police (ADG).

For effective administration, it is organised into various functional divisions/wings and territorial divisions, and consists of senior police officers as well as legal officers, scientific experts, and public prosecutors. Officers of this department are appointed on deputation from the general law-and-order wing of the State Police. The department includes personnel ranging from constables to inspectors general. In some departments, officials use the prefixDetective before their rank designation, such as Detective Inspector.

To detect and prevent the commercial crimes, tax evasions, etc. in the State, some States have their own separate Enforcement Branches with their Police Departments.

1. Punjab Bureau of Investigation ; The specialized investigation wing of the Government of Punjab.

To investigate the heinous crimes, State Governments/UT Administrations can deploy the Special Investigation Teams.

^[27]

At the National Level,National Crime Records Bureau was set up. At the State Level, State Crime Records Bureau was set up under the CID of the State Police. At the District Level, District Crime Records Bureau(s) were also set up in States under the SCRBs.

At the UT Level, UT Crime Records Bureau was set up under the CID of the UT Police. At the District Level, District Crime Records Bureau(s) were also set up in UTs under the UTCRBs.

Police in theStates and UTs are assisted by units of volunteerHome Guards under guidelines formulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The National Policy on Disaster Management 2009 requires the state governments inIndia to raise their own forces for rapid disaster response.^[28] As a result, following SDRF Units has been created So far.

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