A Sub-Inspector (SI) is the first officer rank in the Assam Police that a graduate can join by direct recruitment. It is the level at which a person begins to investigate cases, register FIRs, lead patrols and take charge of a small police post. For many young graduates in Assam, it is a middle path between the constable ranks and the officers recruited through the Assam Public Service Commission. The uniform, the authority and the growth path make it a strong career.
Recruitment to the SI post is carried out by the State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB), Assam, in coordination with the Home department. This guide explains how the process works, what the physical and written stages look like, which laws you need to know, and how to plan your preparation. Please treat everything about dates, vacancies, fees, physical standards, marks and age as something to verify in the current official advertisement of the board. Standards have been revised more than once, and this article does not quote figures that you must not rely on.
How Recruitment Works
Assam Police fills SI posts when the state government sanctions vacancies and the board publishes an advertisement. The board conducts the exams, the physical stages and the merit list. After that, the government issues the appointment orders and the selected candidates go to a police training institution. The general process looks like this:
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | Branches, vacancies, qualification, age, physical standards and dates are announced |
| Online application | Candidates register and upload documents on the board's portal |
| Physical Standard Test (PST) | Height, chest for men and other measurements, checked at the ground |
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Timed events such as a run and field events, as notified |
| Written examination | An objective or descriptive paper on subjects given in the notice |
| Interview or personality test | Held in some cycles; check whether it is part of the current process |
| Document verification and medical | Final checks before selection |
| Training | Basic training as a probationary officer |
The order of these stages is not fixed. In some recruitments the physical tests come before the written examination, and in others the written examination comes first. The advertisement will tell you the order and whether the physical stages are qualifying or carry marks. Candidates must plan their training around this information.
Branches and Posts
Assam Police recruits Sub-Inspectors for different branches, generally the Unarmed Branch (UB), the Armed Branch (AB) and, in some cycles, communication and other specialised branches. Unarmed Branch officers do regular police station work: investigation, law and order, crime control. Armed Branch officers serve in armed battalions and are deployed for security, riot control, guard duty and operations. The branch choice is set in the advertisement, and the vacancy count for each branch is given there. Do not use any number from a coaching or news website without checking it against the official notice.
A Day in the Role
A UB Sub-Inspector at a police station may be assigned to a duty roster for the day, registering complaints, visiting the scene of an incident, recording statements, collecting evidence, preparing case diaries and presenting evidence in court. There are also duties related to crowd management during festivals such as Bihu or large religious gatherings, election duty, VIP security arrangements, night patrolling and traffic control in towns. In Assam, officers may face challenges specific to the state such as floods, border-area issues, wildlife-related crime in areas near national parks, tea-belt disputes and cyber fraud in growing cities. An SI needs physical fitness, legal knowledge, honesty and patience.
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university is the standard requirement for the SI post. Final-year students may or may not be allowed, based on the cut-off date in the advertisement. Check whether particular branches need additional qualifications, such as a technical qualification for communication-related posts.
Age Limit
The minimum age has generally been 18 to 21 years, and the general upper limit has been higher than in many states, with relaxation for reserved categories, ex-servicemen and other groups as notified. Because the board can change both the base limit and the relaxation, use the current advertisement.
Residence and Category
Police recruitment in the state gives priority to candidates who satisfy the residence rules, and the board publishes the documents required. Reserved categories in Assam include Scheduled Castes, ST (Plains), ST (Hills) and OBC/MOBC, and their certificates must be in the prescribed format. Some physical relaxations may be given to candidates from specified groups. Read the notice for the exact list.
Physical Standards
Height, chest and weight requirements are prescribed separately for men and women, and there are relaxations for certain groups, such as some Scheduled Tribes, the exact figures are given in the notice. This article does not repeat any number because the standards have been revised and must be read from the current advertisement. Measure yourself in advance, in the morning, without shoes, and compare it with the notice as soon as it is out.
Medical Standards
Good eyesight (with limits on vision and colour blindness), sound hearing, no serious defects such as flat feet or knock knees, and a general condition that allows strenuous duty. Test your eyes early. Vision issues are difficult to fix in a short time.
Application Process
- Watch for the advertisement on the board's official website and in the newspapers.
- Prepare the scanned photograph, signature and certificates: HSLC certificate, degree certificate, category and residence proofs.
- Register on the portal with an active mobile number and email.
- Choose the branch or branches as per the form, and enter details exactly as in your certificates.
- Pay the application fee online, if applicable for your category.
- Save the submitted form and receipt.
- Download admit cards for the physical and written stages when they are released.
Selection Stages in Detail
Physical Standard Test. Candidates are measured. Those who do not meet the standard are not allowed to continue. Have your documents ready to prove your category.
Physical Efficiency Test. This is the endurance test. It generally includes a timed run, and may include events like long jump, high jump or shot put, depending on the notification. The time limits are different for men and women and for different groups. Read the instructions on the event, the attempts allowed and the cut-off timing.
Written examination. The main test of knowledge. It has generally included general studies, reasoning, arithmetic, English and, in some cycles, subjects like Assamese or law awareness. The exact composition is notified.
Interview. If the process includes an interview, it evaluates personality, awareness, understanding of police work and communication.
Merit list. The final merit is prepared from the components declared in the advertisement.
Exam Pattern (Typical Structure, Verify in the Notice)
| Feature | Typical structure |
|---|---|
| Nature of written test | Objective multiple choice in most recent cycles; confirm for the current cycle |
| Subjects | General Knowledge including Assam, Reasoning, Arithmetic, English, Law and Constitution awareness, and current affairs |
| Negative marking | May apply; check the notice |
| Physical tests | Qualifying or partly scoring, as notified |
| Interview | Included in some cycles, not others |
Detailed Syllabus and How to Study
Law: The New Criminal Codes
The three main criminal laws of India changed on 1 July 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaced the Indian Evidence Act. A Sub-Inspector deals with these daily, so exam-setters may ask about them. Use only the current texts and section numbers, for example murder under the BNS is in Section 103, which used to be Section 302 of the IPC, and the registration of an FIR is in Section 173 of the BNSS, which used to be Section 154 of the CrPC. Do not memorise a section list from an old book without checking its new number. For the exam, understand concepts: what is a cognizable and a non-cognizable offence, bailable and non-bailable offence, arrest procedure, rights of an arrested person, powers of police to investigate, the role of the magistrate, and the basics of evidence, such as confession and dying declaration.
Other laws of interest are the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Information Technology Act 2000 (cyber crime), the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the Arms Act and the Motor Vehicles Act. At SI level, read summaries and the main offences and not the full text.
Constitution and Polity
Fundamental Rights (especially Articles 14, 19, 20, 21 and 22, which are often linked with police powers), Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, the Union and State governments, the Governor, the judiciary and the police as a State subject. Note Article 22, which says that an arrested person must be told the grounds of arrest, has the right to consult a lawyer, and must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours excluding travel time. Also study the Sixth Schedule and the Assam-specific provisions, since Assam has autonomous councils.
Assam General Knowledge
- History: Kamarupa, the Ahom kingdom (founded in 1228 by Sukaphaa), the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, the freedom struggle, the Assam Movement and the Assam Accord of 1985.
- Geography: the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, tributaries, national parks (Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang, Dibru-Saikhowa), districts, tea and oil areas such as Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Digboi, and border districts.
- Culture: Sankardeva, Bihu, Sattriya dance, Bhupen Hazarika, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Majuli and Ambubachi.
- Police and security context: the Assam Rifles, one of the oldest paramilitary forces, traces its beginnings to the Cachar Levy formed in 1835 and works under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Assam Police also has commando, special branch and cyber units. Read about the major reforms and schemes that the Assam government announces from time to time.
Reasoning
Series, analogy, classification, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, ranking, syllogism, Venn diagrams, clocks and calendars, and data sufficiency. Practise 30 questions daily, and increase speed.
Arithmetic
Percentage, ratio, average, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, time-speed-distance, mixtures, and mensuration. Graduate-level SI papers sometimes include data interpretation.
English
Grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, comprehension and possibly short writing tasks such as an application. Practise a few application and report formats.
Current Affairs
The last 12 months of national, international and Assam news. Emphasise law and order, criminal law reforms, cyber security, disaster management, border and security issues, government schemes and sports.
Physical Training Plan
Physical stages knock out many candidates who are good in books. Start early. A workable weekly plan is: three days of running (one easy distance run, one interval session, one tempo run), two days of strength (squats, lunges, push-ups, planks, pull-ups if possible), one day of jumping and throwing drills, and one day of rest. Increase the load gradually. Sleep well, eat a balanced diet with plenty of dal, eggs or other proteins, vegetables and fruits, and drink enough water. Avoid supplements or shortcuts. Practise the timed run on a measured track, and look at the notice for the distance and the time limit. Guard against injury. A sprain or shin splints a month before the test can undo a year of work.
Previous-Year Trends
- The written examination has been a strong differentiator because a large number of candidates clear the physical stage in some cycles.
- General knowledge questions have included Assam, current affairs and law awareness, and reasoning has been an important scoring area.
- English and arithmetic are generally at graduation level but not very hard, and speed matters.
- In some cycles the process took longer than expected owing to administrative or legal issues, so candidates should maintain their fitness and study routine over a long period.
- Cut-off marks change with each cycle and category, so this article does not list them.
Salary and Career Growth
A Sub-Inspector in the Assam Police is paid as per the state pay structure with dearness allowance and other allowances. The exact pay level is given in the advertisement, and the take-home changes with allowances and the place of posting. After training and probation, an SI can be promoted to Inspector, and then to higher ranks such as Deputy Superintendent of Police through departmental promotion, based on seniority, performance and vacancies. A few officers move to the Indian Police Service through the promotion route for state police officers, decided by rules of the government. Those interested in the direct route to senior police service may look at the APSC CCE, which includes the Assam Police Service in many cycles.
Worked Practice Questions
Q1. After the change of criminal laws in July 2024, under which Section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is the punishment for murder provided? Answer: Section 103. Explanation: It corresponds to Section 302 of the earlier Indian Penal Code.
Q2. In which section of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is the registration of information in a cognizable case (FIR) provided? Answer: Section 173. Explanation: This section corresponds to Section 154 of the earlier Code of Criminal Procedure.
Q3. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam replaced which earlier law? Answer: The Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Explanation: The three new laws came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act.
Q4. According to Article 22 of the Constitution, an arrested person must be produced before the nearest magistrate within: (a) 12 hours (b) 24 hours (c) 48 hours (d) 72 hours Answer: (b) 24 hours, excluding the time necessary for travel. Explanation: This safeguard is a part of the fundamental rights and applies to ordinary arrests, with exceptions for preventive detention and enemy aliens.
Q5. Compound interest on Rs 10,000 for 2 years at 10 percent per annum, compounded annually, is: Answer: Rs 2,100. Explanation: After year 1 the amount is 11,000, after year 2 it is 12,100. The interest is 12,100 minus 10,000 = 2,100.
Q6. All constables are police officers. Some police officers are athletes. Which conclusion follows? (a) All constables are athletes (b) Some constables are athletes (c) No conclusion about athletes necessarily follows (d) No athlete is a constable Answer: (c). Explanation: The "some police officers" who are athletes may or may not include constables, so neither (a) nor (b) is certain. Only the statement "some athletes are police officers" follows.
Q7. Which paramilitary force, working under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has its origin in the Cachar Levy of 1835? Answer: Assam Rifles. Explanation: It is considered the oldest paramilitary force in the country and is known for its role in the north-east.
Q8. Asha walks 6 km north, turns right and walks 8 km. How far is she from the starting point? Answer: 10 km. Explanation: The two legs are perpendicular, so the distance is the square root of 36 + 64, which is the square root of 100, that is 10 km.
Q9. The emergency number 112 in India is used for: Answer: A single emergency response number for police, fire and medical help. Explanation: It works under the Emergency Response Support System, which merged several older numbers into one.
Q10. Which of these crimes is covered by the Information Technology Act, 2000? (a) Cheque dishonour (b) Hacking and identity theft online (c) Housebreaking (d) Bigamy Answer: (b). Explanation: The IT Act deals with cyber offences such as unauthorised access to computers and identity theft. The other options are dealt with under other laws.
Q11. The Assam Movement of 1979 to 1985 ended with which agreement? Answer: The Assam Accord, signed on 15 August 1985. Explanation: It was signed between the Government of India and leaders of the movement, including the All Assam Students Union.
Month-by-Month Preparation Plan (Six Months)
- Month 1: Assess your physical level, and begin a routine of running and strength. Revise basic maths and grammar. Start an Assam notebook and a law notebook.
- Month 2: Increase running distance and start jumping drills. Study Constitution basics and the new criminal codes. Reasoning series and coding.
- Month 3: Interval running for speed. Percentage, ratio, profit and loss, and time and work. History of Assam and India. Weekly sectional tests.
- Month 4: Practise the timed test event on a track. Simple and compound interest, speed and distance. Geography of Assam and India. Current affairs notes.
- Month 5: Full-length mock tests, weekly. Revise criminal law concepts, IT Act and special laws. Keep the training load steady.
- Month 6: Peak in speed work in the first half and reduce training in the last week. Revise formulae, Assam notes and current affairs. Check the document folder.
Books and Resources
- A recent book on the BNS, BNSS and BSA, in summary form, written after July 2024.
- A book on Indian polity for the Constitution and rights.
- A quantitative aptitude book and a reasoning book.
- An Assam general knowledge book, with the official publications of the state government.
- A newspaper and a monthly current-affairs digest.
- Timed mock tests on pareeksha.in.
Common Mistakes
- Using old IPC or CrPC section numbers from books published before July 2024.
- Training only for running and ignoring the written test, or the reverse.
- Overtraining in the last month and getting injured.
- Ignoring eye tests and medical standards until the last minute.
- Not reading the branch details and applying for a branch that does not suit you.
- Paying money to touts who promise a selection. This is a fraud and a crime.
- Applying with wrong category or residence documents.
Comparison with Other Assam Exams
| Aspect | Police SI | Police Constable | APSC CCE | Assam Excise SI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Graduate | School level, per notice | Graduate | Graduate, per notice |
| Physical stage | Yes | Yes | No | Depends on notice |
| Written level | Moderate to high | Moderate | Highest | Moderate |
| Body | SLPRB | SLPRB | Public Service Commission | Department or board, per notice |
If you want the same uniformed service with a lower entry qualification, read Assam Police Constable. If you are aiming for the highest state civil service posts, read the APSC CCE guide. Another enforcement post that you may consider is Assam Excise Sub-Inspector, and a fire-related uniformed career is covered in Assam Fireman.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who conducts the Assam Police SI recruitment? The State Level Police Recruitment Board, Assam, on behalf of the state government.
2. What is the qualification for SI? A graduation degree from a recognised university, subject to the current advertisement.
3. Are women eligible? Yes. Recruitment provides for women candidates with separate physical standards, as notified.
4. Is the physical test before or after the written test? It depends on the cycle. Read the current advertisement to confirm the order.
5. Is there an interview? Some cycles have included one and others have not. The notice will state it.
6. Is there negative marking? It may apply in the written test. Check the paper instructions.
7. What are the physical standards? They are given in the notification for men and women separately, with relaxations for certain categories. Please use the current figures.
8. Do I need to know the new criminal laws? Yes. Learn the main concepts of the BNS, BNSS and BSA, since they replaced the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act.
9. Can I apply for both SI and Constable? If you meet the eligibility of each, yes, though the stages and dates should be checked to avoid clashes.
10. Is the Assamese language compulsory? The language requirement and paper structure vary by notice. Check whether the exam includes a language section and what proof of language knowledge is needed.
Related Reads
- Assam Police Constable
- APSC Combined Competitive Exam
- Assam Excise Sub-Inspector
- Assam Fireman
- Latest exam news on Pareeksha
Final Word
The SI exam rewards a balanced candidate: someone who can run, think and read the law. Train steadily, read the new criminal laws from current sources, keep an Assam notebook, and verify every detail with the board's notice. Timed mock tests on pareeksha.in can help you practise the written stage calmly alongside your physical training.
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