RPF Exam vs IPS Exam, Which Is Easier To Crack?

RPF Exam vs IPS Exam

RPF Exam vs IPS Exam: The IPS and RPF exams offer pathways to esteemed careers in law enforcement in India. While the IPS exam focuses on serving within the Indian Police Service, responsible for national law and order, the RPF exam targets candidates aspiring to secure the Indian Railways. Despite their distinctions, both demand integrity and a dedication to public service. Let’s check various aspects of RPF Exam vs IPS Exam.

What Is RPF Exam and IPS Exam?

The RPF (Railway Protection Force) exam is conducted by the Indian Railways to recruit personnel for the protection and security of railway passengers, passenger area, and railway property. The RPF ensures the safety of passengers and their belongings, as well as maintains order and security in railway premises. It’s an important component of ensuring smooth operations and safeguarding passengers and railway infrastructure.

The IPS (Indian Police Service) exam, on the other hand, is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. IPS is one of the three All India Services, the other two being the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). The IPS exam is a part of the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is one of the toughest and most prestigious competitive exams in India. IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crimes, and managing police forces at various administrative levels in the country. They play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and security.

RPF Exam vs IPS Exam – Eligibility Criteria

Deciding between the RPF Exam and the IPS Exam is vital for those aspiring to serve in law enforcement. These paths have differing eligibility criteria, shaping unique routes toward the common goal of maintaining law and order in India.

RPF Exam:

• Age Limit: 18 to 25 years for Constable, 20 to 25 years for SI.
• Educational Qualification: 10th pass for Constable, Graduation for SI.
• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
• Physical Standards: 

Position	Height (Male)	Height (Female)	Chest (Male Only)	Weight
Constable	165 cm	157 cm	Unexpanded: 80 cm, Expanded: 85 cm	Proportionate to height and age
Sub-Inspector (SI)	165 cm	157 cm	Unexpanded: 80 cm, Expanded: 85 cm	Proportionate to height and age

• Number of Attempts: No limit until the candidate is within the age limit.

IPS Exam:

• Age Limit: Minimum age of 21 years, maximum age varies depending on category and benchmark physical disability.
• Educational Qualification: University degree (Graduate) from a recognized University.
• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
• Physical Standards: 

Criteria	Male (General)	Male (ST, SC, OBC, Gorkhas, Garhwalias, Assamese, Kumaonis, Nagaland Tribals, etc)	Female (General)	Female (ST, SC, OBC, Gorkhas, Garhwalias, Assamese, Kumaonis, Nagaland Tribals, etc)
Height	165 cm	160 cm	150 cm	145 cm
Chest Girth	Minimum 84 cm with an expansion of 5 cm	Same as General	N/A	N/A
Vision	High standard for the color blind test, no inherent night blindness, stereoscopic vision	Same as General	High standard for the color blind test, no inherent night blindness, stereoscopic vision	Same as General

• Number of Attempts: Limited based on the category of the candidate as per UPSC rules.

RPF Exam vs IPS Exam – Selection Process

Comparing the RPF and IPS exams highlights different routes into law enforcement. Understanding their unique selection procedures is essential for candidates to choose the right path.

Selection Stage	RPF Exam	IPS Exam
Written Exam	Computer Based Test (CBT) assessing general knowledge, reasoning, and numerical aptitude.	Civil Services Preliminary Exam followed by the Main Examination.
Physical Tests	Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT) to assess fitness and measurements.	Physical standards test as part of the overall Civil Services Examination process.
Document Verification	Verification of original documents.	Document verification during the interview/personality test stage.
Medical Examination	Required to ensure candidates are medically fit.	Detailed medical examination as per UPSC standards.
Interview	Not typically part of the RPF process.	Interview/Personality Test conducted by UPSC.

RPF Exam vs IPS Exam – Exam Pattern

The RPF and IPS exams differ in their focus and content. The RPF exam tests knowledge related to railway security and general aptitude, while the IPS exam covers a wider range of subjects such as law, administration, and current affairs.

Exam Pattern	RPF Exam	IPS Exam
Exam Mode	Online Computer Based Test (CBT)	Preliminary Exam (Objective), Mains Exam (Written), Interview (Personality Test)
Sections (CBT for RPF)	General Awareness, Arithmetic, General Intelligence & Reasoning	Prelims: General Studies, CSAT Mains: 9 papers including Essay, 4 General Studies, 2 Optional Subjects, Indian Language, English
Number of Questions (CBT for RPF)	120	Prelims: Paper-I (100 questions), Paper-II (80 questions) Mains: Descriptive type questions
Total Marks (CBT for RPF)	120	Prelims: Paper-I (200 marks), Paper-II (200 marks); Mains: 1750 marks; Interview: 275 marks
Duration (CBT for RPF)	90 minutes	Prelims: 2 hours per paper; Mains: 3 hours per paper
Negative Marking (CBT for RPF)	Yes (1/3 mark deduction for incorrect answers)	Prelims: Yes (1/3 mark deduction for incorrect answers) Mains: No Negative Marking

RPF Exam vs IPS Exam – Syllabus

Studying for the RPF (Railway Protection Force) and IPS (Indian Police Service) exams requires careful planning. The RPF exam focuses on railway security and law enforcement, while the IPS exam covers a wider range of subjects like law, governance, and administration.

RPF Exam:

• General Awareness: Topics include current events, Indian history, Art & Culture, Geography, Economics, General Polity, Indian Constitution, Sports, General Science.
• Arithmetic: Number systems, whole numbers, decimal and fractions, relationships between numbers, fundamental arithmetical operations, percentages, ratio and proportion, averages, interest, profit and loss, discount, use of table and graphs, mensuration, time and distance, ratio and time, time and work, etc.
• General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, similarities and differences, spatial visualization, spatial orientation, problem-solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion, syllogistic reasoning.

IPS Exam:

• Preliminary Examination: It consists of two papers, General Studies (Paper-I) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) (Paper-II), covering topics like current events, history of India, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, General Science, Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Decision Making and Problem Solving, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation, English Language Comprehension Skills.
• Main Examination: The Mains syllabus is extensive, including papers on Essay, General Studies (four papers covering Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society, Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations, Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management), and two Optional Subjects chosen by the candidate from a list provided by UPSC. Additionally, there are papers on an Indian Language and English, testing the candidates’ comprehension, précis writing, usage and vocabulary, and short essays.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, While the IPS exam leads to the Indian Police Service, focusing on national law and order, the RPF exam is for securing the Indian Railways. Both require dedication to public service and integrity, despite their differences.

RPF Exam vs IPS Exam – FAQs

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