Deputy superintendent

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), is a rank used by police forces in India. It was also used by the British Empire. The rank is higher than Assistant superintendent and is equivalent to Assistant Commissioner of Police in the commissionerate system.

The rank of deputy superintendent (DSP) or assistant commissioner of police (ACP) was created in 1876 as the policy of Indianisation was introduced. Deputy superintendents are state police officers who belong to the provincial police forces, either direct entrants at that rank or promoted from inspector. Assistant commissioner of police, who are members of the provincial forces can be promoted to the IPS after limited years of service which varies from 8 to 15 years depending on the state. In the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, it is known as Circle Officer (CO).

In India, candidates who are Indian citizens with any degree within the age of 21 to 31 years are eligible. There is a minimum physical requirement of height 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) for men and 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) for women, chest requirement of 84 cm (33 in) and chest expansion of 5 cm (2 in). In Tamil Nadu, 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) is the minimum height required. Every year, the state governments prepare a list of members of the state police service to be suitable for promotion to the Indian police Service.