CBI

With the rapid increase in the crime rate in the country, apprehension of lawbreakers, criminals and tax evaders has now become a well-coordinated and specialized task.

Therefore, information regarding criminals and their activities is being pooled, analyzed and disseminated by a single coordinating agency. For this, a central clearinghouse of information relating to crime and criminals was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, namely the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A special police establishment has been incorporated in the CBI as its investigation and anti-corruption agency, while the coordination wing of the bureau assists the law enforcement agencies by maintaining the records of crimes and criminals. The CBI is also assisted by foreign police organizations, through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Another organization, the Central Intelligence Bureau (IB), has been established to provide intelligence (information for security and military purposes) to the government, on matters affecting the security of the country. 

Organizations under the administrative control of the Central Intelligence Bureau include the Central Fingerprint Bureau, Central Detective Training School and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory. 

MAIN AREAS OF WORK

The CBI was initially established in 1941 in order to investigate cases of corruption during the war, and in the supply department of the government of India during the Second World War. However, the agency is now under the control of the Union Home Ministry and covers all departments of the government of India.

ANTI-CORRUPTION

The CBI deals with the investigation of corruption cases in all the areas which come under the
jurisdiction of the government of India, as well as other major cases of corruption.

SPECIAL CRIMES

Apart from corruption, the CBI also deals with various other crimes including cases of cheating, fraud and misappropriation of funds and assets of public sector companies, cases under the Customs Act and the Income Tax Act, and other complicated cases.

THE WORK

The CBI and the IB are regarded as the government's police organizations. The CBI is concerned with the investigation and prosecution of cases relating to bribery and corruption involving Central government servants and cases of misappropriation of accounts and offences arising from the Import and Export Control Act, the Currency Regulation Act and other such acts. The IB, on the other hand, offers advice to the government on security measures.

Major Tasks Performed

ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES

A special police establishment has been incorporated in the CBI as its main investigative agency, dealing with cases of corruption within the Central government sector.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

The coordination wing of the CBI assists the various law enforcement agencies by maintaining regular records of crimes and criminals.

RESOLUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CASES

The CBI, with the aid of Interpol, also resolves cases of international importance involving criminals absconding to and from territories outside the country.

INTELLIGENCE

The IB mainly provides information for security and military purposes to the government, on matters affecting the security of the country. For these purposes, the IB has under its administrative control, the Central Fingerprint Bureau, the Central Detective Training School and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory.

ENTRY

Direct recruitment to the CBI is done for the posts of Assistant Sub-Inspector, Sub-Inspector, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Public Prosecutor. However, the senior posts in the CBI are filled on deputation basis, from amongst officers of the various government departments.

Eligibility

For the post of Assistant Public Prosecutor, the minimum qualification is an LLB with at least five years of work experience with criminal cases. To become a Senior Public Prosecutor, a graduation in law with ten years' work experience of criminal cases is the minimum eligibility requirement. Candidates for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police, on the other hand, may be graduates in any discipline.

Appointment to the rank of Sub-Inspector is done by the Central Staff Selection Commission, through a competitive examination held annually by the UPSC, at various centers in the country. The written test comprises of papers in General Knowledge and English comprehension. It is followed by interviews at the various regional centers.

Preference is given to candidates with sports/NCC qualifications.

For the posts of Assistant Sub-Inspector (Tech.) and Sub-Inspector (Tech.), science graduates with physics and chemistry are eligible. The qualifications preferred include a PMG Certificate of competency (class II); Grade II wireless operator's test of a Police/Defense unit, diploma in communication engineering, or two years' experience as a wireless operator/radio mechanic.

Training

There is no specific training for officers of the CBI. They are generally trained on the job, at the regional centers, after recruitment.

JOB PROSPECTS

Although senior posts in the CBI are filled by deputation, certain posts are also filled by departmental promotions on seniority-cum-merit basis. In the legal division, Assistant Public Prosecutors with five years, service are eligible for the post of Public Prosecutor, while Public Prosecutors having five years' experience are considered for the post of Senior Public Prosecutor.

REMUNERATION

The pay scales in the CBI, excluding additional allowances and benefits, are as follows:

Rank Pay Scale

Assistant Sub-inspector - Rs 330 to Rs 480 p.m.
Sub-inspector/Assistant - Rs 425 to Rs 600 p.m.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICER (GRADE II)

Assistant Public Prosecutor - Rs 455 to Rs 700 p.m.
Inspector/Assistant Central - Rs 550 to Rs 900 p.m.

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER (GRADE I)

Public Prosecutor - Rs 650 to Rs 960 p.m.
DSP/Deputy Central - Rs 650 to Rs 1200 p.m.

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER

Senior Public Prosecutor - Rs 700 to Rs 1300 p.m.
Assistant Director/SP - Rs 1100 to Rs 1600 p.m.
Deputy Director - Rs 2000 to Rs 2250 p.m.
Director (CBI) - Rs 3250 p.m. (fixed)
Director (IB) - Rs 3500 p.m. (fixed)

The dearness allowance, city compensatory allowance, interim relief, and other allowances are granted at the same rate as admissible to other Central government employees. In some cases, special pay is also granted.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

A good physique, courage, tact, a cool temperament, good judgment, alertness in observation, loyalty, sincerity, devotion, a strong sense of discipline.

PRESSURES

Long and irregular hours of work, postings in remote areas, and in certain professions, risk to life.

REWARDS

These professions give a sense of satisfaction at having served the nation and its people, and therefore provide a tremendous amount of job satisfaction. Various material benefits are also provided to the officials in these services.

RELATED CAREERS 

Paramilitary services, other protective services, defense services.