Abstract: The research subject is the institution of cadetship in internal affairs agencies, scientific literature and the current legislation which help define the distinctive features of cadetship in higher education institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The research object is the range of social relations starting at the moment of a person’s entry an educational institution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during the cadetship and at the moment of its termination. The research methodology is based on the set of general scientific and specific methods of cognition: the system and comparative-legal methods, the method of moving from abstract to concrete and from general to specific. The author considers the conditions and the order of entry into cadetship, the peculiarities of appointment to special grades and assessment, the peculiarities of study and service termination. The author proves the interrelation between and the influence of two spheres of activity – service and education – on the legal position of cadets; reveals the problem aspects of law enforcement practice of cadetship in internal affairs agencies and offers solutions to these problems. The author concludes that such a meaningful and significant part of active subjects of educational relations and service as cadets shouldn’t lack the government’s attention.