Insignia Guide
Police GK · बैज गाइड
📋Quick Overview
Police insignia (shoulder badges/pips) are visual indicators of rank in the Indian Police. The shoulder insignia system uses stars (pips), Ashoka Lion Capital emblem, IPS badges, and chevron stripes to denote rank. Knowledge of insignia is a high-frequency topic in UP Police, Delhi Police, SSC GD, and SSC CPO exams.
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The Ashoka Lion Capital (National Emblem) on the shoulder denotes officer-level rank from DSP and above. Stars (pips) distinguish ranks within that group.
📖Shoulder Insignia by Rank
| Rank | Shoulder Insignia | Key Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Constable | State police logo / no star | State emblem only |
| Head Constable | 3 chevron stripes | Chevrons (V-shaped stripes) |
| ASI | 1 star (pip) | Single pip |
| Sub-Inspector (SI) | 2 stars | Two pips |
| Inspector | 3 stars | Three pips |
| DSP (Deputy SP) | 1 Ashoka emblem (Lion Capital) | Ashoka Lion only |
| ASP | 1 star + 1 Ashoka emblem | Pip + Ashoka |
| SP | 2 stars + 1 Ashoka emblem | Two pips + Ashoka |
| SSP (Senior SP) | 3 stars + 1 Ashoka emblem | Three pips + Ashoka |
| DIG | 1 star + IPS badge | Pip + IPS |
| IG | 2 stars + IPS badge | Two pips + IPS |
| ADGP | 3 stars + IPS badge | Three pips + IPS |
| DGP | State-specific DGP insignia (Police Star/Emblem) | Special DGP badge |
📝Uniform Colors and Equipment
- •State Police uniform color: Khaki (light brown) — used across all Indian state police forces.
- •CAPF uniform: Olive green (BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB) or grey/white (CISF).
- •Baton (Lathi): Traditional symbol of police authority; used for crowd control.
- •Police belt: Black leather belt with metal buckle bearing state emblem for constable ranks.
- •Epaulette: The shoulder badge/board that carries the rank insignia — important term for exams.
- •IPS badge (on shoulder): Blue and golden badge with 'IPS' inscribed, worn by DIG, IG, ADGP.
- •Pip (star): Metallic five-pointed star used on shoulder to indicate ranks from ASI to SSP.
- •Chevron stripes: V-shaped stripes on upper sleeve — worn by Head Constable (3 stripes).