Telangana Police Sub‑Inspector (SI) – Foundation & Exam Strategy
Topic: Overview & Scope
Audience – Aspirants for the Telangana Police Sub‑Inspector Recruitment
Format – Markdown study notes (MIT‑level rigor)
Goal – Provide a complete, theory‑heavy, and practice‑oriented view of the SI exam’s scope and structure.
1. Introduction
- Sub‑Inspector (SI) is the first line of field‑level police officers in Telangana.
- The SI programme is a merit‑based selection that blends academic aptitude, physical capability, and personal integrity.
- The exam is designed to filter candidates who can handle the dynamic demands of modern policing: crime prevention, crowd control, cyber‑crime, and community policing.
2. Program Overview
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Role | Supervisory officer in police stations, charge‑sheet preparation, liaison with courts, and field operations. |
| Career Path | SI → Assistant Sub‑Inspector → Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) → Additional Deputy Superintendent → Deputy Superintendent → Superintendent. |
| Scope of Work | • Investigations (criminal, traffic, cyber) • Maintenance of public order • Liaison with judiciary • Administration of police records |
3. Examination Scope
3.1 Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Minimum Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 20–36 years (as of 1 Jan of the exam year) | Relaxations: +2 yrs for SC/ST/OBC, +5 yrs for physically challenged, +10 yrs for disabled. |
| Educational Qualification | 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (or computer science) | Minimum 50 % (45 % for SC/ST/OBC). |
| Nationality | Indian citizen | Foreigners, NRIs, OCI are ineligible. |
| Physical Standards | Height, chest, vision, hearing, etc. | Must pass the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). |
| Other | No criminal record, no disqualifying medical condition. |
3.2 Vacancies & Reservation
| Category | Reserved % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General | 70 % | Regular candidates. |
| SC | 15 % | |
| ST | 7 % | |
| OBC | 8 % | |
| Women | 10 % | Separate seats; age relaxed. |
| Physically Challenged | 5 % | Requires medical clearance. |
4. Examination Pattern
| Stage | Test | Format | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary (Qualifying) | Multiple‑choice (MCQ) | 50 questions | 100 pts | 90 min |
| Main (Objective) | MCQ | 60 questions | 120 pts | 120 min |
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Running, long jump, shot put, etc. | Pass/Fail | - | 60 min |
| Interview | Panel | 5‑question format | 30 pts | 30 min |
| Document Verification | No marks | - | - | - |
Negative marking: 0.25 pts per wrong answer.
Cut‑off: Based on past trends, 60 % of total marks (≈ 90/150) is a safe threshold.
5. Detailed Syllabus
| Section | Topics | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | World & Indian geography, history, polity, economics | 30 % |
| Reasoning & Mental Ability | Number series, analogies, data sufficiency | 25 % |