Government jobLevel 22 (starting pay ₹56,100)Group AGazetted
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Tamil Nadu)
पुलिस उप अधीक्षक (तमिलनाडु)
Group I police post via TNPSC — heads a police sub-division in Tamil Nadu, with later promotion into the IPS.
Tamil Nadu Police Service, Home Department · state government
- Exam
- TNPSC Group 1
- Qualification
- Graduate
- Age limit
- 21–34 years
- Transfers
- Within the state
- Work hours
- Long and irregular; on call at all hours
- Probation
- Training at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy followed by probation
Pay scale
Level 22 (starting pay ₹56,100)
Starting basic ₹56,100. HRA and other state allowances are added on top as per Tamil Nadu rules.
The 2025 notification prints only the level. The starting figure is the first cell of Level 22 in the Tamil Nadu pay matrix; confirm it in the pay rules.
What you will actually do
- Heading a police sub-division with several stations
- Supervising investigation of grave crimes
- Law-and-order planning for festivals, protests and elections
- Station inspections and enquiries into complaints against staff
- Coordination with the Revenue Divisional Officer and courts
A typical day
You start with the crime and incident reports from your stations and decide where you need to go in person. Grave cases, caste or communal tension and VIP security take priority over everything. The rest is reviews with inspectors, court-related work and public petitions. You are on call day and night for the whole sub-division.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Tamil Nadu) (joining)
Level 22 (starting pay ₹56,100)
Additional Superintendent of Police
About 8–12 years · via dpc
Indian Police Service (by promotion)
For those selected, typically after 15 or more years · via dpc
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
- 1.Preliminary examination (single objective paper, screening only)
- 2.Main written examination (descriptive papers)
- 3.Interview (100 marks)
Eligibility: A degree of any university recognised in India. Other things being equal, preference goes to holders of national awards for physical efficiency. Age 21–34. 34 is the limit read from the notification's table for candidates not belonging to reserved communities; the table merges this row with Deputy Collector, so confirm it. Reserved communities have a higher limit. Persons with benchmark disability are not eligible for this post.
Physical standards: Men: height 165 cm, chest 86 cm on full inspiration with 5 cm expansion. Women: height 155 cm. A certificate of physical standards from a government medical officer is required.
The good
- Senior police rank directly from Group I
- Route to the IPS by promotion
- Command of several stations early
The hard parts
- Only a handful of vacancies
- Round-the-clock pressure
- Physical standards apply
Postings
Police sub-divisions and specialised wings anywhere in Tamil Nadu.
Questions people ask
What is the qualification and age limit for Deputy Superintendent of Police (Tamil Nadu)?+
A degree of any university recognised in India. Other things being equal, preference goes to holders of national awards for physical efficiency. Age: 21–34 years. Relaxation: 34 is the limit read from the notification's table for candidates not belonging to reserved communities; the table merges this row with Deputy Collector, so confirm it. Reserved communities have a higher limit. Persons with benchmark disability are not eligible for this post.
Which exam do I need to clear for Deputy Superintendent of Police (Tamil Nadu)?+
TNPSC Group 1 (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission).
Can persons with disabilities apply?+
No. The notification marks this post as not open to persons with benchmark disability.
Compare with similar posts
Deputy Collector (Tamil Nadu)
उप जिलाधिकारी (तमिलनाडु)
Top post of TNPSC Group I — heads a revenue division as RDO, with later promotion into the IAS.
Deputy Superintendent of Police / ACP (Maharashtra)
पुलिस उप अधीक्षक / सहायक पुलिस आयुक्त (महाराष्ट्र)
Group A police post via MPSC Rajyaseva — heads a police sub-division, supervising several stations and serious investigations.
West Bengal Police Service Officer (Deputy Superintendent of Police)
पश्चिम बंगाल पुलिस सेवा अधिकारी (उप पुलिस अधीक्षक)
Group B service through the WBCS exam — Deputy Superintendent of Police supervising police stations and investigations.
Sources
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.