How to crack AN Police 2026 — with or without coaching
A complete, honest guide to preparing for Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police Constable: a real self-study path, a weekly study plan, how tough it actually is, and what the job pays. Everything you need is free on Shishya — no coaching fees.
Self-study is absolutely viable for AN Police Constable — coaching is NOT necessary. This exam tests foundational knowledge, not advanced concepts. Here's your realistic free-study path:
Core resources (completely free):
Shishya platform: Your primary weapon. Use their free mocks religiously, solve all available PYQs (previous year questions), and download subject-wise notes. The mock test interface mimics real exam conditions — crucial for time management.
NCERT books (6-10th): For General Science basics. Download PDFs from NCERT website.
Daily current affairs: Follow free Telegram channels or YouTube channels like Study IQ (free daily current affairs), or read newspaper apps like Inshorts (5 minutes daily).
Reasoning: RS Aggarwal or free YouTube channels (Amar Sir Study, Dear Sir) cover all question types you'll face.
Numerical Aptitude: RD Sharma (class 10) or free resources like Khan Academy, Unacademy free videos for basic arithmetic, percentages, ratios.
English/Hindi: Wren & Martin grammar (library), or Objective General English by SP Bakshi (₹200-300 if you can manage; else grammar YouTube channels).
If you have budget for coaching (₹5,000-15,000): Local coaching institutes in Port Blair offer 2-3 month crash courses. Evaluate if they provide sufficient mock tests and doubt-clearing. Many students find that coaching just adds structure — something you can create yourself with discipline. Only join if you struggle with self-motivation or need peer pressure.
Effective free study approach: 1. Month 1: Build foundation — cover all four subjects once, make notes 2. Practice-heavy — topic-wise questions from Shishya, identify weak areas 3. Mock tests (minimum 20 full-length) and revision 4. Use Shishya's performance analytics to track improvement
Month 2:
Month 3:
Physical fitness parallel track: Start running daily (AN Police has physical tests post-written exam). Don't wait until after results.
Study plan
12-week realistic schedule (assumes 4-5 hours daily for working/college-going students, 7-8 hours for dedicated aspirants):
Weeks 1-4 (Foundation phase):
Monday-Tuesday: General Awareness (History, Geography, Indian Polity basics — 2 chapters daily, make short notes)
Target: Complete at least 8-10 mocks in this phase
Weeks 9-12 (Peak performance phase):
Monday-Wednesday: Rapid revision of all subjects (use your notes, not books)
Thursday: Full mock test
Friday-Saturday: Analysis + targeted practice of mistakes
Sunday: Light revision + current affairs + one more mock
Target: 12-15 more mocks (total 20-25 mocks before exam)
Daily minimums (non-negotiable):
30 MCQs practice (any subject)
15 minutes current affairs
Review 10 previous mistakes
One week before exam: Stop new topics. Only revise, solve PYQs, and take 2-3 mocks. Sleep 7-8 hours daily.
Is it tough? An honest take for an average student
Difficulty level: Moderate (6/10)
Let's be straightforward — this is NOT among India's toughest exams, but it's competitive due to limited vacancies (usually 100-300 posts) and high number of applicants (30,000-50,000).
Why it's manageable:
Question level: Class 8-10th standard. No trick questions or highly advanced concepts.
Syllabus: Well-defined and repetitive. Past year patterns repeat 60-70%.
Negative marking: Usually none or minimal (check notification) — you can attempt most questions.
Time: 120 minutes for 100 questions = 1.2 minutes per question. Sufficient if you've practiced.
Why students fail:
Lack of practice: Theory alone won't cut it. Without solving 2,000-3,000 MCQs, speed won't develop.
Ignoring current affairs: 15-20 questions come from last 6-12 months events. Many skip this assuming it's unpredictable.
Poor time management: Spending 3 minutes on one difficult question while easy ones remain unattempted.
No mock tests: Real exam pressure is different. Students freeze or make silly mistakes.
For an average student (50-60% scorer in school/college): With honest 3-4 months preparation, solving 20+ mocks, and consistent daily study, you can score 65-75 marks. The cutoff typically ranges 50-65 marks depending on category (General/OBC/SC/ST). You absolutely can clear this if you put in structured effort.
Reality check: If you're starting from zero (weak basics, haven't studied in years), add one extra month for foundation building. If you're currently studying or recently finished 12th, 2.5-3 months intense prep is enough.
The biggest differentiator: Not intelligence, but *consistency*. The student who studies 3 hours daily for 90 days beats the one who studies 8 hours for 30 days.
Salary, job profile & career growth
Starting salary (approximately): Andaman & Nicobar Police Constable salary typically ranges ₹21,000-₹25,000 per month (in-hand after deductions), though gross pay as per 7th Pay Commission structure is higher. This includes:
Basic pay: ₹21,700 (Level 3 as per central guidelines, though A&N follows UT pay structure)
Grade pay and allowances
Special island allowances (substantial benefit unique to A&N)
Rations and accommodation often provided
After 5 years: With increments and promotions, salary reaches approximately ₹30,000-₹35,000 per month.
Job profile (daily reality):
Station duties: Law and order maintenance, FIR registration, basic investigation assistance, traffic management
Patrol duties: Beach patrolling (important in islands), vehicle checking, area surveillance
Shifts: Usually 8-hour shifts but can extend during emergencies; one weekly off (though may get cancelled)
Work-life balance: Honest truth — police work is demanding. Expect late hours, festival duty, and physical exhaustion initially. However, island posting has its perks: cleaner environment, tight-knit community, less crime compared to mainland metros.
Career growth path: 1. Constable (Entry) → after exam + physical + medical 2. Head Constable → after 5-7 years (departmental exam + efficiency) 3. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) → after 12-15 years total service (limited promotional vacancies) 4. Sub-Inspector → through departmental exams (LDCE - Limited Departmental Competitive Exam) or direct SI recruitment
Realistic expectation: Most constables retire as Head Constables or ASIs. Reaching SI through promotion requires exceptional service record and clearing tough departmental exams. However, job security is absolute — government job benefits include pension, medical facilities, LTC, and housing.
Additional benefits:
Martyr compensation and family benefits (government jobs for dependents)
Free/subsidized healthcare for family
Pension after 20-25 years service
Island allowances boost take-home significantly (20-30% extra)
Unique lifestyle: living in one of India's most scenic locations
Other opportunities: After gaining experience, can apply for Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, CISF) through direct recruitment or appear for SI exams in other states.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the eligibility criteria for AN Police Constable?
A. Generally, candidates must be 18-23 years old (age relaxation for reserved categories as per rules), have passed 10+2 (12th standard) from a recognized board, and meet physical standards (height: 165 cm for male general category, 157.5 cm for ST; chest: 80-85 cm for males; for females height around 155 cm for general). Physical fitness tests include running, high jump, and long jump. Domicile requirements may apply — check the official notification carefully as A&N Administration sometimes gives preference to island residents.
Q. Is there negative marking in the AN Police Constable exam?
A. This varies by year, so check the current notification carefully. In most recent cycles, there has been NO negative marking, which means you should attempt all questions. However, some years have implemented 0.25 marks deduction per wrong answer. Never assume — confirm from the official notification PDF before your exam and adjust strategy accordingly (if negative marking exists, skip questions you're completely guessing on).
Q. How many attempts are allowed for this exam?
A. There is no restriction on number of attempts as long as you are within the age limit (generally 18-23 years, with relaxations). You can appear every year the recruitment is announced until you age out. Use each attempt as learning — even if you don't clear first time, the experience helps in subsequent attempts.
Q. When does AN Police Constable recruitment notification come out?
A. There's no fixed schedule. Recruitment depends on vacancies in the department. Historically, notifications have been released every 1-2 years, sometimes with gaps. Regularly check the official Andaman & Nicobar Police website (andamanpolice.nic.in) and employment news. Subscribe to job alert Telegram channels for A&N government jobs. Once notified, you typically get 3-4 weeks to apply and 2-3 months until the exam.
Q. What happens after clearing the written exam?
A. The selection process is multi-stage: (1) Written exam (100 marks), (2) Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — running 1600m in specified time, high jump, long jump; only qualifying, not for marks, (3) Physical Standard Test (PST) — height, chest, weight measurement, (4) Medical examination — eyesight, general fitness. Final merit list is based on written exam marks only (in most cases), but you must qualify all subsequent stages. Document verification happens at the final stage. The entire process takes 4-6 months from written exam to final appointment. Start physical preparation immediately after applying, don't wait for written results.
AI-curated guidance — pay bands and cutoffs are indicative; always confirm with the latest official notification.
Start your AN Police prep now — free
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