How to Become CBI Officer- Step by Step Guide

in this article we have covered

• how to become a CBI officer
• Career Opportunities as a CBI officer
• how to become CBI officer after 12th
• salary of CBI officer
• CBI officer qualification

Are you enthusiastic about the investigation? Do you want to make a career in solving investigations? There is a job profile that suitably fits you. The CBI is the destination for you. It stands for the Central Bureau of Investigation.

If you are determined and focused, you can qualify for the entrance exam. It is a very challenging job. After reading this article you will learn so much about CBI.

You will know everything that is important. What is CBI? How you can become an officer in CBI?  What is the jurisdiction and establishment of CBI? These are some common questions been addressed in this article.

Who is the CBI?

The CBI stands for the Central Bureau of Investigation. It is the main agency that carries an investigation in our country. The smartest of police officer joins the CBI. The CBI is accountable for the investigation of high-profile cases. They carry out an investigation in corruption, economic crisis.

CBI also operate in crime as murder and multi-state murder mystery. They also carry out investigations of international cases. CBI is an investigation agency under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

This is headed by a Union Minister followed by the Director of CBI. Generally, The Home Minister is the Minister-in-charge of CBI.

The CBI has branches for Economic and Special Crime offenses in all the four Metro cities of the country. It has headquarters in New Delhi.

The other cities are Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. You can approach the office any day. There you can provide information about genuine economic offenses. You can also provide information regarding special crimes such as murder and drugs.

CBI also operates in Human trafficking. It also operates to solve investigations related to fake currency, animal poaching, and any defect in medicines and food products.

What actually CBI Do?

CBI was initially a part of the Special Police Establishment. It was stated in 1941. In 1963 it got separated and was renamed as CBI, Central Bureau of Investigation. This was done by a special resolution.

This resolution was passed in 1963 by the Home Ministry. At first, it was started with the objective to investigate corruption. Later on, amendment was been made in resolution. The jurisdiction of CBI was expanded to a wide range. Now CBI has jurisdiction in all high-profile cases of murder, kidnap, terrorism, drugs, terrorism, etc.

CBI takes up an investigation after a proposal request is set up by the state or central government. As per the Indian Constitution, CBI can take up an investigation without a request from the government. It is only possible if CBI is been ordered by the High Court or Supreme Court.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has 7 branches. Each branch specializes in a specific type of investigation. The branches are:

• The Anti-Corruption Division
• The Special Crimes Division
• The Economic Offenses Division
• The Policy and Interpol Cooperation Division
• The Division for Administration
• The Directorate of Prosecution Division
• The Division for Central Forensic Science Laboratory

How to Become CBI Officer

You can become an officer in CBI through different mediums. CBI recruits’ candidates as an officer through direct enlistment. This is the most common method. The second method is for those already working in Police.

It is through nomination and seniority promotion basis. It also conducts Departmental Competitive Examination. This examination is limited to certain people. Mostly it is for those already working in the Income-tax department. Through the exam, CBI also shortlists forensic experts.

They also recruit IT, cell specialists, through the departmental competitive exam. All direct enlistment for Group C posts is done by the SSC exam. It stands for Staff Selection Commission. The posts are of Lower Division Clerk, Sub-Inspectors, and Constables. During your service, on seniority promotion and nomination you can become an officer in CBI. Though maximum you can reach the position of Senior Inspector in CBI.

For a senior officer post in CBI, you need to qualify UPSC Civil Services Exam.

First, you have to appear in a written exam. A Medical test is followed after it. At last, is the Personal Interview. After qualifying all three stages by merit only a few candidates join CBI.  Every Candidate must be a graduate from a recognized university. This is the minimum requirement to appear in the exam.

• Age Limit for SSC- CGL Candidates: 20-25 years
• Age Limit for UPSC Candidates:  21-32 years

There are specific physical standards required to join CBI. Every Candidate must follow these standards.

 Physical Standard Required

For Male Candidates

For Female Candidates

SSC-CGL Level Exam

You can start your career as Sub-Inspector in the CBI, Central Bureau of Investigation. The SSC-CGL is the perfect platform for it. After service as Sub-Inspector, you will get a promotion. All direct recruitment in Group C and Group B posts at the CBI, Central Bureau of Investigation is done by Short Service Commission test.

It is the most popular method to join CBI as an officer. Though it is the most common method it is not that easy. A lot of competition is there.

You need to have a graduate-level degree from a recognized university. Also, you need to satisfy your age. Medical and physical standards qualification is also important. The SSC-CGL examination is been directed in two levels

Level I: Written Examination

It has Objective Multiple Choice type questions. This exam is of 2 hours. The total marks for the exam are 200 marks. The question paper is divided into 4 sections. 1st is of the Reasoning and Intelligence section. 2nd section is of General Awareness. The third section is of Quantitative Aptitude. It is the section where you need to solve basic mathematics questions. Last section is English Comprehension. Each section is of 50 marks. A total of 200 questions are there. Each question is of 1 mark.

Level II: Written Examination

This exam contains both objective multiple-choice questions and subjective also. The exam is of total 400 marks. It is divided in 2 separate exams of 200 marks each. The duration of each exam is 2 hours. The first exam has 100 Multiple Choice type questions. These questions are from Quantitative Analysis. General Awareness and Reasoning is also part of this exam. The second exam is English Language and Comprehension. In this exam, you need to write an essay. The essay carries the maximum weight-age.

Personal Interview stage

It is the last qualifying stage. You need to qualify the written exam and physical test to appear in personal interview. In personal interview, you will face a panel of officers of CBI. The panel will ask you questions. The panel includes psychiatrists, administrative officers, and field officers.

It is the toughest stage. Here they will test your decision-making skills and mental psychology. After qualifying this stage, a merit list is published. To join CBI, you need to be on the merit list.

Starting from Sub -Inspector you will get a promotion. You can go to a high level position. For this, you need to appear in the Limited Departmental Competitive exam. This is a fast method to reach a higher position. Another method is a promotion on basis of seniority.

UPSC Civil Service Exam

SSC-CGL is not the only way to join CBI. You can directly join at higher posts in CBI. If you don’t wish to take the long course. If you want to join CBI directly as Group A officer, then there is one medium for it.

In this medium you don’t need to start from Group B or Group C. There is no requirement for a promotion. But it is the toughest route. The route is through the UPSC Civil Service exam.

There is an arrangement for IPS officers. As per the provision they can be moved to State Police Cadres. It incorporates CBI, RAW, IB and other intelligence agency. The IPS officers can join the CBI, Central Bureau of Investigation.

The IPS officers join directly as Group A officers. In this method you need to qualify the UPSC Civil Service exam. You need to be an IPS officer first. UPSC Civil Services Exam is India’s highest order exam. Every year Millions of Candidates appear in this exam. Only few thousands qualify the exam.

IPS is the second highest amongst all Civil Services. At first, is the IAS. It stands for Indian Administrative Services. You need to be at the top position on the merit list to join in Indian Police Service, IPS. After this, you can try for a transfer to CBI.

Personal Interview stage

It is the last qualifying stage. You need to qualify both UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains to appear in a personal interview. In a personal interview, you will face a panel of officers. The panel will ask you questions.

The panel includes psychiatrists, administrative officers working as IAS, IPS, etc. It is the toughest stage. Here they will test your decision-making skills and mental psychology. After qualifying this stage, a merit list is published. To join as an IPS officer, you need to be at the top of the merit list.

Career Opportunities as a CBI officer

The hierarchy of posts is followed in CBI. It is similar as in Police. First, you join at the junior level, and then after promotions and exams, you get a higher post. The career opportunities as a CBI officer is very vast. You get the power. It is a very responsible job. A CBI officer is highly respected in society.

The Hierarchy of posts from the UPSC Civil Service exam in CBI is as:

• Director
• Special Director
• Additional Director
• Joint Director/ Inspector-General (IG)
• Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG)
• Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
• Superintendent of Police (SP)
• Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP)
• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
• IPS officer as Deputy Advisor

The Hierarchy of posts from SSC-CGL exam in CBI is as:

• Senior Inspector
• Inspector
• Sub-Inspector
• Constable

These posts are field posts. Other posts include non-field posts such as clerk etc.

Anti-Corruption Division: 

It deals with all cases of corruption and fraud in system. The Anti-Corruption division carries out investigation in offices of all central and state Govt. They are also responsible for investigation in Public Sector Undertakings and Financial Institutions.

Economic Crimes Division: 

This division of CBI is engaged in the investigation of bank and financial frauds. They also investigate Import-Export and Foreign Exchange cases. It is also responsible for investigation against large scale smuggling. 

Special Crimes Division:

 It deals with instances of terrorism. The Special Crime Division also investigates the Murder Mysteries. They also solve homicides, kidnaps. Generally, an officer of this division is involved in the investigation of crimes done by Mafia.

Central Forensic Science Laboratory Division:

The officers of this division are forensic experts. The carry out forensic tests. These test reports are very important for other divisions. Forensic Science Experts play important role in the investigation of Homicides, Drugs, and Murder.

How to Become a CBI officer after Class 12^th?

TO become a CBI officer after class 12^th, you need to have a graduation level degree. After Graduation you should prepare for the exam. There are 2 different exams. One is SSC-CGL. It is for Group B and Group C posts in CBI. The second exam is of UPSC Civil Services Exam. It is for Group A posts in CBI.

Both the exams are national level exams. You need to be work hard and prepare well to qualify them. After qualifying the exam there will be a personal interview. This is the last stage. A candidate needs to satisfy the medical and age requirements. Finally, the Merit list is published. 

Conclusion

The Central Bureau of Investigation is also known as CBI. It is India’s main agency which carries investigation. It is a very difficult thing to be a part of CBI. You need to be the best amongst others. There are 2 main competitive exams for candidates who wish to join the CBI. First is the Combined Graduate Level Examination (SSC-CGL).

The second exam is of UPSC Civil Services. Both exams are national level exams.

There is a lot of competition in these exams. You need to work hard and smart to qualify for these exams. Also, your personality should be great.

You need to be physically fit. Mental strength is also important. Your efforts will give you results. Invest your time wisely. Always be focused while preparing for the examination.