Full Form of IG

IG Full Form

Many of us might get confused between DGP and IG. We think that both are the same. Well, that’s true. Both DGP and IG are the almost same ranging from rank to insignia. So, the full form of IG is Inspector General of Police. An individual in this position is considered a senior police officer. The person is officially the head of the state or the district. The roles and responsibilities of IG are almost the same as that of DGP. But here is an interesting fact to note. An IPS officer who has completed 19–20 years is eligible for becoming an IG.

Now, let us see some roles and responsibilities of an IG.

• An IG is responsible for the entire police force and he/ she has to take command over the officers.
•  An IG functions according to the Constitution of India and the National legislature and is answerable to the same.
• Well, the government of India decides as to which officer must be promoted or suspended. An IG has to follow the rules of the Government.
• An IG, just like DGP, exercises the power of a Magistrate. But there may be certain variations in the role. These variations are decided by the State Government.
• An IG serves as a link between DGP and the District Office.
• An IG, just like DGP is responsible for training the forces thereby maintaining discipline among them.
• In case when an IG goes on official tours, he/ she inform the DGP or SP.

So, these are some of the functions fulfilled by an IG. Well, here there is one more interesting fact to note. An IPS officer gets promoted to become an IG. But there is a catch. An IG once appointed for four years cannot be appointed again. This means that an individual can become an IG for once if he/ she has already served for four years. It is important to note that an IG can be promoted to the rank of a DGP (Director-General of Police).

Now, you must be wondering as to what is the rank of an IG in the police hierarchy? Well, an IG holds the third-highest rank in the police hierarchy. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police comes below the rank of an IG. Now, let us look at some historical points that will help us in understanding the position of an IG.

1. The Indian Councils Act was passed in the year 1861 by the British Government which emphasized creating a new group of police known as the ‘Superior Police Services’.
2. This name was later changed to ‘Indian Imperial Police’. In this new group of police officers, the Inspector-General of Police was announced as the highest rank in service.
3. But currently, an IG is just a police officer in the entire police service. But in the state, an IG still ranks as the third-highest in the hierarchy.

Now, let us talk about the uniform of an IG. Well, the officers wear Gorget Patches on collars and the uniform has a dark blue background. The IGs have the same uniform as that of DIGs. The Inspector-General of Police has different roles depending upon the state or country. The above-mentioned roles were only for India. But let us look at some other countries wherein the IGs have different ranks and positions.

• In Nepal, the IG is the highest-ranking officer of the Nepal Police. Shailesh Thapa is the current IG of Nepal.
• In the United Kingdom, IG is called the Chief Constable who heads the entire police force.
• In Pakistan, the IG is responsible for looking after the administrative units and provinces.
• In Bangladesh, the IG heads the entire Bangladesh Police Force.

Almost in every state or country, the Inspector-General is responsible for heading the entire police force and making sure that no outrage takes place in the country.  

An IG has many roles and responsibilities to fulfill. He/ She is responsible for maintaining peace in the country. An IG has to train the police force so that if in case any kind of outrage takes place; direct action can be taken. Thus, an IG has many functions to fulfill to maintain harmony and brotherhood among the state or country.