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Career in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)


Job Opportunities for CBI Officers Many students are more inclined towards investigation and situation analysis. Career as a CBI officer is best suited to such groups. To opt for a CBI career, candidates must have passion to work under dangerous situations. Investigation is an agency which detects crime and helps to solve cases. It is also responsible for matters relating to the national security.

The full form of CBI is Central Bureau of Investigation. It is India's best investigating agency, which has great responsibility for range of criminal and national security matters. It was established on 1 April 1963 and developed from the Special Police Establishment (SPE) founded in 1941. Later on, it was brought under the Home Ministry of the Government of India.

This organisation works on referral cases from Home Ministry or when specially called for by the Supreme Court or High Court. The Central Bureau of Investigation has arisen as the most important investigative institute for grim crimes from murder to match fixing. It is the official Interpol unit for India. Basically, The CBI is controlled by the Ministry of Personnel headed by the Union Minister who reports directly to the Prime Minister of India. The CBI is recognized as the authorized Interpol unit of our country. It is headed by a Director. He will be an IPS officer of the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP) or Director General of Police (DGP).

CBI is a specialized agency to investigate crime relating to Corruption by Public Servants under the control of the Central Government, serious economic offences and frauds and sensational crime having inter-state/all-India ramifications. CBI does not hold responsibility to investigate number of criminal activities related to general and routine nature as the Police forces of the State and Union Territories are accountable to investigate such crime.

Officers in CBI are responsible for inspecting of illegal activities in every field, be it crime, economic offenses etc.

Cases handled by CBI are categorized into following ways

  • Anti-Corruption Division
  • Economic Crimes
  • Division and Special Crimes Division.

Anti-Corruption Division

This deals with cases of serious corruption and fraud committed by public servants of all Central Govt. Departments, Central Public Sector Undertakings and Central Financial Institutions.

Economic Crimes Division

This branch solve cases including bank frauds, financial frauds, Import Export & Foreign Exchange violations, large-scale smuggling of narcotics, antiques, cultural property and smuggling of other contraband items etc.

Special Crimes Division

This deals with cases of terrorism, bomb blasts, sensational homicides, kidnapping for ransom and crimes committed by the mafia/the underworld.

CBI has branches for registration of Economic and Special Crime offences in all the four metropolitan cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Any of these branches can be approached for providing information about serious economic offences as well as serious special crimes such as drug and human trafficking, fake currency, poaching of wild life, adulteration of drugs and food products, organized crime having all-India/inter-State consequences.

Candidates who choose career as CBI officer can become senior officers in this institutes. These posts are mentioned below:

Senior Officer's CBI Posts List

  • Director
  • Special Director
  • Additional Director
  • Joint Director
  • Deputy Inspector-General of Police
  • Senior Superintendent of Police
  • Superintendent of Police
  • Additional Superintendent of Police
  • Deputy Superintendent of Police
  • Deputy Adviser (Equivalent to the rank of DSP)
  • Administration Officer

Recruitment for CBI officers

CBI recruits candidates through direct recruitment, deputation, promotion by seniority or through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. All direct recruitment of Group C posts for Sub-Inspectors, Constables and Lower Division Clerk are made through Staff Selection Commission (SSC).

Procedure to join in CBI as sub inspector

Sub Inspectors are recruited through SSC's Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE), followed by medical examination and personal interview.

  • Candidates must complete graduate degree from any recognised university to appear in entrance examination.

  • Age limit : Candidates between 20 to 25 years can apply for Combined Graduate Level Examination

This exam is conducted in two levels

Tier -I : Written Examination (Objective Multiple Choice Type)

Tier I will be of 2 hours duration with a total marks of 200. The paper include in this section are General Intelligence + Reasoning (50 marks); General Awareness (50marks); Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks) and English Comprehension (50 marks)

Tier -II: Written Examination (Objective Multiple Choice Type)

Tier II carries a total of 400 marks with 2 papers, each of 2 hours duration. The first paper carrying 200 marks, contains 100 question from Quantitative Abilities and the second paper include English Language and Comprehension.

Physical Standard Required

For male candidates

  • Height: 165 cms
  • Height relaxable for Hillsmen and Tribals : 5 cms
  • Chest: 76 cms. with expansion
  • Weight: Proportionate to height and age and also per medical standard specified in Force

Vision

  • Eye-sight (with or without glasses)
  • Distant vision : 6/6 in one and 6/9 in the other eye.
  • Near vision 0.6 in one eye and 0.8 in other eye.

For female candidates

  • Height: 150 cms
  • Weight: Proportionate to height and age and also per medical standard specified

Vision

  • Eye-sight (with or without glasses)
  • Distant vision : 6/6 in one and 6/9 in the other eye.
  • Near vision 0.6 in one eye and 0.8 in other eye.

Candidates who qualify the first two levels will be invited for a personal interview before the final selection. The final selection will be made on the basis of a personal interview.

Personnel Qualities to become a CBI officer

Career as a CBI officer involved in collection and interpretation of information. Therefore, the following personal qualities are vital for successful career :

  1. Sharp, analytical mind
  2. Physical fitness
  3. Stamina
  4. Mental alertness
  5. High levels of concentration
  6. Keen powers of observation
  7. Logical, rational and analytical thinking
  8. Willingness to travel
  9. Ability to adapt to long, erratic working hours
  10. Willingness to work in remote and dangerous territories

Job profile of CBI Officer

  • The CBI officer is responsible for the maintenance of all Files/Registers pertaining to the cases under investigation in the Branch.
  • The CBI officer is responsible for attending to all Parliament Questions and V.I.P references.
  • The CBI officer is responsible for informing of Progress and monitoring of all instructions issued to the The CBI officer is responsible for Investigating Officers and their replies.
  • The CBI officer is responsible for ensuring deposit of all case properties
  • The CBI officer is responsible for the investigation of Officers
  • The CBI officer is responsible for the final disposal in respect of the cases which have not been sent up for trial.
  • The CBI officer is responsible for maintenance and submission of Case Diaries of under investigation cases and The CBI officer is responsible for transferring the same to the Prosecution
  • The CBI officer is responsible for entering and maintaining data
  • The CBI officer is responsible for organizing the monthly crime meetings of the Branch.
  • The CBI officer is responsible for ensuring follow-up actions thereon. The CBI officer is responsible for attending to any other matter relating to the investigation/enquiries of cases as
  • The CBI officer is responsible for directed by the Branch SP from time to time.

The CBI has gained prominence and it is highly respectful career. It is a risky job therefore candidates must be brave and ready to accept sudden challenges. Two attributes are important for investigations that include skill and impartiality.