After introducing an innovative system for the recruitment of police constables, which has earned praise from the Union Home Ministry, the state government has also revamped the process of promotions to the rank of inspectors, which constitute the cutting edge of the force at the ground level.

In the past, sub-inspectors (S-I) were promoted as inspectors on the basis of interview and seniority in service. This time, the Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, which has been asked to fill 1,340 vacancies of inspectors, will select candidates on the basis of their performance in written tests in certain subjects and group discussion.

Board ADG V C Goel said, “This is the first time that we have introduced written tests and group discussion for the promotion of S-Is.” The process will begin shortly. About 6,000 S-Is, who are eligible for the vacancies, are expected to take the test.

There will be separate papers in Hindi essay writing, reasoning and mental ability, mental aptitude and logistics, and one paper in law, police procedure, IPC, CrPc, Evidence Act and police manual, added Goel.

A candidate has to procure a minimum of 50 per cent marks in each paper to become eligible for group discussion, which would be video-recorded in the interest of fairness and transparency.

The S-Is appearing for the promotion test would get separate marks for their service record.

Earlier, S-Is with 10 years of service and three years of work as station officer were eligible for the promotion. Now, an S-I who has completed seven years in service, is eligible to take the examination.