SI Recruitment 2026: Latest Vacancies, Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Sub-Inspector (SI) Job Profile & Responsibilities

The role of a Sub-Inspector is demanding and multifaceted, primarily focused on law enforcement and public service. Key responsibilities include:

• Investigating crimes and gathering evidence.
• Maintaining law and order in their jurisdiction.
• Supervising police constables and assisting senior officers.
• Registering First Information Reports (FIRs).
• Conducting patrols and responding to emergencies.
• Testifying in court proceedings.
• Performing administrative duties related to case management.

Eligibility Criteria for SI Posts (2026)

Candidates must meet specific criteria to be eligible for SI recruitment:

• Educational Qualification: Typically, a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university is required. Some specific forces or departments may have specialized requirements.
• Age Limit: The general age limit is usually between 20 to 25 years. Age relaxations are provided for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) as per government norms.
• Physical Standards: Minimum height, chest (unexpanded and expanded), and vision standards are mandatory. These vary slightly between male and female candidates and different recruiting agencies. For example, common height requirements are 170 cm for males and 157 cm for females, with relaxations for certain categories.
• Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Candidates must qualify in events like a 100m race, long jump, high jump, and (for male candidates) a shot put. Specific timings and distances are given for each event.
• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.

Selection Process & Exam Pattern for SI Recruitment

The selection process for SI posts generally involves multiple stages:

1. Phase I: Written Examination
   • Paper I (General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension): Standardized for most SI exams.
   • Paper II (Specific to the post, e.g., to test domain knowledge or language proficiency).
   Topics typically include General Awareness, Current Affairs, Indian Polity, Indian History, Geography, Basic Arithmetic, Data Interpretation, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and English Language Comprehension.
2. Phase II: Physical Endurance Test (PET) & Physical Standards Test (PST)
   • Tests of running, long jump, high jump, shot put.
   • Measurement of height, chest, and weight.
3. Phase III: Medical Examination

   To ensure candidates meet the stringent medical and physical fitness standards.

4. Phase IV: Document Verification

   Verification of all original certificates and documents.

5. Final Selection: Based on the cumulative performance in the written examination and other qualifying stages. Some central agencies like CBI may also include an interview round.

Salary Structure & Allowances

Sub-Inspectors are appointed at Pay Level-6, which translates to a basic salary ranging from Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400 per month. In addition to the basic pay, they receive:

• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA)
• Transport Allowance (TA)
• Grade Pay
• Other allowances as per government rules (e.g., risk and hardship allowance in certain postings).

The in-hand salary can range from Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 60,000 or more, depending on the posting location and allowances.

How to Apply for SI Vacancies

SI recruitment notifications are released by various central and state government bodies. The application process is specific to the recruiting agency:

• State Police Departments (e.g., UP Police, Delhi Police, Bihar Police): Candidates must regularly check the official websites of the respective state police departments' recruitment boards for vacancy announcements and online application links.
• Staff Selection Commission (SSC): For SI posts in CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB), Delhi Police, and ASI in CISF, candidates need to apply through the official SSC website (ssc.nic.in) when the notification is released.
• Central Intelligence Bureau (IB) & Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Notifications are typically posted on the official websites of IB and CBI, with applications usually submitted online via their career portals.

Prospective candidates should create an account on the relevant portal, fill in the application form accurately, upload required documents (photograph, signature), pay the application fee, and submit the form before the deadline. Always refer to the official notification for precise details.