Overview
State Police Sub-Inspector recruitment follows a broadly common pattern across most Indian states — graduate-level entry into the Sub-Inspector rank responsible for investigation, supervision of constabulary staff, and law-and-order duties at the police-station level. While each state conducts its own independent recruitment through its respective police recruitment board with state-specific vacancy counts, eligibility nuances and exam calendars, the overall selection structure is consistent nationwide: a written exam, Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test, an interview, and a final medical examination.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- Each state conducts recruitment independently — always confirm vacancy count, eligibility and exam dates against your specific state's official notification rather than a generic timeline.
- PET/PST standards, written exam syllabus emphasis and interview weightage can differ meaningfully by state, even though the overall structure is similar.
- A valid driving licence is a common (though not universal) requirement at the PET stage across several states.
- Sub-Inspector posts typically carry supervisory responsibility over constabulary staff, distinguishing this role from constable-level recruitment.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 20–28 years typically (varies by state; relaxation per state government norms for reserved categories) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (most states); a few states additionally require a valid driving licence at the PET stage |
| Nationality | Indian citizen; state domicile requirements typically apply |
| Application Fee | Varies by state, typically in the ₹200–₹500 range for General/OBC candidates, with reductions or exemptions for reserved categories |
State Police Sub-Inspector Exam Pattern
The State Police Sub-Inspector selection process runs through written exam + pet/pst + interview + medical. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Written Examination (common pattern)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | — | Qualifying |
| Reasoning & Mental Ability | — | Qualifying |
| Numerical/Quantitative Aptitude | — | Qualifying |
| General Hindi/Regional Language & English | — | Qualifying |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Race, Height/Chest/Weight measurement | — | Qualifying |
Interview
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | — | Qualifying |
State Police Sub-Inspector Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise State Police Sub-Inspector syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Blend state-specific and national/international current affairs — many states weight local knowledge meaningfully.
- Current affairs — national & international, state-specific news
- Indian history & culture
- Indian geography & polity
- Indian economy & government schemes
- General science
Reasoning & Mental Ability
Standard competitive-exam reasoning, often with police-context situational questions — practise state-specific previous papers where available.
- Analogies, classification, coding-decoding
- Series completion
- Direction sense & blood relations
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Situational and police-context judgement
Numerical/Quantitative Aptitude
Foundational-level questions across most states — consistent practice on fundamentals covers most of the syllabus.
- Number system, simplification
- Percentage, ratio & proportion, average
- Profit, loss & discount
- Time, speed & distance, time & work
- Mensuration & basic algebra
General Hindi/Regional Language & English
Confirm your specific state's language requirement early, since many states test the regional language specifically alongside or instead of English.
- Grammar & comprehension in the state's regional language
- Basic English grammar & comprehension
- Vocabulary & common errors
Selection Process
- Written Examination — pattern and syllabus emphasis vary by state.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).
- Interview — conducted by some states as part of final selection.
- Document Verification and Medical Examination.
Salary & Job Profile
State Police Sub-Inspector posts are typically placed around Pay Level 6 of the respective state's pay matrix (broadly comparable to ₹35,400–₹1,12,400 under the central 7th CPC-equivalent scale), with the exact figure varying by state, plus Dearness Allowance, HRA and state-specific allowances.
Best Books for State Police Sub-Inspector Preparation
- Lucent's General Knowledge
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic — Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
- State-specific General Knowledge & current affairs guides (choose based on your target state)
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
Since each state conducts its own independent recruitment, cut-offs vary enormously by state, category, gender and vacancy count — there is no single national cut-off for this exam. Always check your specific state police recruitment board's official cut-off release.
Preparation Tips
- Always prepare from your specific state's official syllabus rather than a generic pattern, since section weightage and language requirements differ meaningfully by state.
- Build both General Knowledge and your state's regional-language skills in parallel, since many states test the local language specifically.
- Begin physical training early, checking your specific state's PET/PST standards rather than assuming a uniform national requirement.
- If a driving licence is required in your target state, arrange for one well before the recruitment cycle begins, since obtaining it can take time.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the Document Checker and a valid original photo ID as specified by your state's recruitment board.
- Confirm your state's specific PET/PST standards and any driving licence requirement well before the physical test date.
- No electronic devices are typically allowed inside the exam hall — confirm specific rules with your state's notification.
- Reach the venue well before reporting time, especially in states with very high applicant volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, each state conducts its own independent Sub-Inspector recruitment through its respective police recruitment board, with state-specific vacancy counts, eligibility and exam calendars — this page describes the common pattern shared across most states.
It's a common requirement in several states at the PET stage, though not universal — always check your specific state's official notification.
No, interview weightage and even its presence in the selection process varies by state — some rely purely on the written exam and physical tests plus document verification.
A Bachelor's degree from a recognised university is the standard requirement across most states, though specific subject or additional requirements can vary.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official State Police Recruitment Boards notification as of 24 Apr 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at Varies by state (e.g. state police recruitment board portals) before applying.