IG vs Commissioner — Who is More Powerful?
IG vs Commissioner — Who is More Powerful? | DGP vs Commissioner, DIG vs Commissioner, Police Rank Explained (India 2025)
If you’re confused about who is more powerful — IG or Commissioner, or want to know the difference between DGP vs Commissioner, DIG vs Commissioner, and SP or IG who is more powerful, this post explains everything clearly. We’ll also look at the complete police rank list in India and where the Commissioner of Police stands in that hierarchy.
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Full Forms and Meaning
- IG Full Form: Inspector General of Police
- DIG Full Form: Deputy Inspector General of Police
- DGP Full Form: Director General of Police
- SP Full Form: Superintendent of Police
- Commissioner of Police: Head of Police Force in a Commissionerate System
The Inspector General (IG) is a senior IPS rank, while the Commissioner of Police is a designation that can be held by an officer of the rank of IG, ADGP, or DGP, depending on the city’s size and importance.
IG vs Commissioner — Key Difference
| Feature | IG (Inspector General of Police) | Commissioner of Police |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Inspector General of Police | Commissioner of Police |
| Type | Rank in the IPS hierarchy | Designation / Post |
| Rank Position | Above DIG and below ADGP | Depends — Can be held by IG, ADGP or DGP |
| Jurisdiction | Controls a police range (multiple districts) | Controls a metropolitan city (like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad) |
| Reporting To | Additional Director General or DGP | Directly to the DGP or Home Department |
| Power Level | Administrative & supervisory over multiple districts | Executive powers including magisterial functions in the city |
IG vs Commissioner — Who is More Powerful?
Technically, the Commissioner of Police is more powerful in a city because they exercise both executive and magisterial powers under the Police Commissionerate System. However, in terms of rank in the Indian Police Service (IPS) hierarchy, both can be at the same level (IG or higher), depending on the city’s setup.
So, in rank = same (IG level), but in authority = Commissioner is more powerful due to combined powers under CrPC Sections 20–23.
Police Rank List in India (2025)
| Rank | Abbreviation | Position Level |
|---|---|---|
| Director General of Police | DGP | Head of State Police |
| Additional Director General of Police | ADGP | Second Highest Rank |
| Inspector General of Police | IG | Supervises Multiple Ranges |
| Deputy Inspector General of Police | DIG | Supervises District SPs |
| Senior Superintendent of Police | SSP | Heads Large Districts |
| Superintendent of Police | SP | Heads a District |
| Deputy SP / Assistant SP | DSP / ASP | Sub-Division Officer |
| Inspector of Police | Inspector | Station Officer / SHO |
| Sub-Inspector | SI | Assists SHO |
| Assistant Sub-Inspector | ASI | Junior Investigating Officer |
| Head Constable / Constable | HC / Constable | Ground Duty |
DGP vs Commissioner — Who is More Powerful?
The DGP (Director General of Police) is the head of the entire state police force and is superior in rank to the Commissioner. The Commissioner of Police usually reports to the DGP or directly to the Home Secretary in metropolitan cities.
So, in the chain of command: DGP > Commissioner (IG/ADGP rank) > DIG > SP.
DIG vs Commissioner — Comparison
A DIG (Deputy Inspector General) is junior to an IG. If the city’s Commissioner of Police holds IG or ADGP rank, the Commissioner is senior to a DIG. Hence, Commissioner > DIG in most major cities.
SP or IG — Who is More Powerful?
The IG (Inspector General) is higher in rank and authority than an SP (Superintendent of Police). The SP handles one district, while the IG supervises several districts within a range. Therefore, IG > SP.
Commissioner of Police Rank — Explained
The Commissioner of Police system exists in major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Depending on the city’s size:
- Small city Commissioner — usually DIG or IG rank.
- Metro Commissioner — usually ADGP or DGP rank.
So, the Commissioner of Police rank varies from DIG to DGP level, making it one of the most powerful posts in urban policing.
Commissioner vs DGP — Summary Table
| Criteria | DGP | Commissioner of Police |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Director General of Police | Commissioner of Police |
| Rank | Highest IPS rank in a state | IG / ADGP / DGP (depending on city) |
| Jurisdiction | Entire State Police | One City / Commissionerate |
| Power Type | Administrative & Policy-making | Executive & Magisterial |
| Reports To | State Home Secretary / Chief Minister | DGP / Home Secretary |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is higher — IG or Commissioner?
A: In rank, both can be at the same level, but in city administration, the Commissioner of Police has more functional power.
Q2: Who is higher — DGP or Commissioner?
A: The DGP is higher in rank and usually supervises the Commissioner of Police.
Q3: Is DIG higher than Commissioner?
A: No, in most cities, the Commissioner is senior to a DIG.
Q4: Who is bigger — SP or Commissioner?
A: The Commissioner (IG/ADGP rank) is much higher than an SP.
Q5: Is Commissioner equal to DGP?
A: In some large metro cities (like Mumbai or Delhi), the Commissioner is equivalent in rank to the DGP, but administratively still reports to the State DGP or Home Department.
Conclusion
To sum up, in the Indian police hierarchy:
- DGP is the highest-ranked officer of the state.
- IG supervises several districts.
- Commissioner of Police may hold the rank of IG, ADGP, or DGP — and wields combined police + executive powers within a city.
Therefore, while IG and Commissioner may be equal in rank, the Commissioner of Police is generally more powerful functionally within their city jurisdiction.