Difference Between SHO and SI — Rank, Powers, Salary & Full Form Explained (India 2025)
Difference Between SHO and SI — Rank, Powers, Salary & Full Form Explained (India 2025)
If you are confused about who is bigger SHO or SI, what is the SHO rank in police, or how much SHO in police salary is, this article explains everything clearly with comparison tables, FAQs, and salary details. Let’s understand the difference between SHO and SI in the Indian Police hierarchy.
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Full Form of SHO and SI
- SHO Full Form: Station House Officer
- SI Full Form: Sub-Inspector
The SHO (Station House Officer) is the officer-in-charge of a police station. In most cases, the SHO holds the rank of an Inspector, but in smaller towns or rural areas, a Sub-Inspector (SI) may also act as the SHO.
SHO vs SI — Key Differences
| Feature | SHO (Station House Officer) | SI (Sub-Inspector) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Officer-in-charge of a police station | Junior officer who works under the SHO |
| Position Type | Designation / Post | Rank in Police hierarchy |
| Rank Level | Usually an Inspector or SI | Below Inspector, above ASI |
| Reports To | DSP / Circle Officer | SHO / Inspector |
| Power & Responsibility | Manages entire police station, law & order | Assists SHO in investigation & field work |
| Investigation Power | Can investigate all criminal cases including serious crimes | Limited powers, handles minor crimes or assists in major ones |
| Rank Insignia | 3 stars + Ashoka emblem (if Inspector) | 2 stars with red-blue ribbon |
Who is Bigger — SHO or SI?
SHO is higher than SI. The SHO is the officer who heads the police station, whereas the SI works under the SHO. However, sometimes the SHO himself can be an SI if the station is small or rural.
In short: Inspector (SHO) > Sub-Inspector (SI) > ASI > Constable
SHO Rank in Police
The SHO rank in police is generally that of an Inspector. However:
- In urban and city police stations — SHO = Inspector
- In rural or small police stations — SHO = Sub-Inspector
Hence, SHO is a designation, not a rank.
SHO in Police Salary (2025)
| Post | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Basic Pay | Approx. Salary (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Inspector (SI) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹55,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Inspector (Typical SHO) | Level 7 or 8 | ₹44,900 – ₹47,600 | ₹70,000 – ₹90,000 |
Note: The salary varies from state to state, and also depends on allowances like DA, HRA, TA, risk allowance, etc.
SHO vs DSP — Who is Senior?
The DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) is senior to both SHO and SI. DSP is a gazetted officer who supervises multiple police stations, while each police station is headed by an SHO.
Police Rank List in India (Hierarchy)
- Director General of Police (DGP)
- Additional DGP
- Inspector General (IG)
- Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
- Superintendent of Police (SP)
- Deputy SP (DSP)
- Inspector (often SHO)
- Sub-Inspector (SI)
- Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI)
- Head Constable
- Constable
SHO and SI Difference in Hindi (एसएचओ और एसआई में अंतर)
- SHO (Station House Officer) — थाना प्रभारी होता है जो पूरे थाने का जिम्मेदार होता है।
- SI (Sub-Inspector) — SHO के अधीन कार्य करता है और अपराध की जांच में मदद करता है।
- अक्सर Inspector SHO होता है, लेकिन छोटे थानों में SI को SHO बनाया जा सकता है।
SHO Full Form in Police
SHO Full Form: Station House Officer — the officer who heads a police station.
SHO Star on Shoulder
- SI: Two stars with red-blue ribbon
- Inspector (SHO): Three stars + Ashoka emblem
So, if you see three stars with the national emblem, it indicates the officer is an Inspector (SHO).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is bigger, SHO or SI?
A: SHO is bigger than SI. SHO usually holds the rank of an Inspector and leads the station.
Q2: What is the rank of SHO in police?
A: The SHO rank in police is generally Inspector or Sub-Inspector depending on the station’s size.
Q3: What is the salary of SHO in police?
A: SHO salary in police ranges from ₹55,000 to ₹90,000 per month depending on the state and experience.
Q4: Who is senior, SHO or DSP?
A: DSP is senior to SHO. DSP supervises several police stations.
Q5: What is SHO full form in police?
A: Station House Officer.
Q6: SHO and SI difference in short?
A: SHO is the head of a police station (post), while SI is a lower rank officer who assists the SHO.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SHO is the officer-in-charge of a police station, while SI is a rank below Inspector. SHO may be an Inspector or Sub-Inspector depending on the station. So when someone asks Who is bigger — SHO or SI?, the answer is clear: SHO is higher in position and responsibility than SI.
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