Indian Administrative Services
The full form of IAS is the Indian Administrative Services and is one of the posts with extensive power. Formally known as the Imperial Civil Service under the British Raj, it is the most-sought after job for govt-sector aspirants. The Union Public Service Commission conducts UPSC Civil Services Exam to select a handful from the pool of aspirants.
Why do Youth Choose IAS?
The IAS title comes with plenty of prestigious perks and privileges. Besides working with the government, it challenges one to think critically and analytically. This dream job allows you to serve the nation with a “Be the Change” persona, rare to find in any other ordinary on-the-field work.
Role of an IAS
An Indian Administrator shoulders huge responsibilities to maintain the smooth functioning of the administration. The prime responsibilities of the IAS vary depending upon the hierarchical position of the official.
These includes:
- Implementation and supervising of state and central government policies on the ground formulated by the government.
- Keep track of the public fund expenditures and submitting to the state legislatures.
- Assisting during tense situations like riots or natural disasters.
- Maintenance of law and order in the area of their posting while simultaneously handling its developmental work.
- Heads the Tax courts in the area under their jurisdiction.
- Indian Administrative Officer assists the ministers in shaping policies for the public welfare.
- Travel to far-flung places to check the implementation of policies set by the government.
- Participate in the reviewal of the policies set by the government with the ministers.
- Answerable to the state legislatures in case of state irregularities.
Other key roles of IAS include:
- Represent the Indian government in international bilateral or multilateral conferences and meets.
- Work at inter-governmental organizations like the UN and World Bank.
- Supervise and ensure smooth, planned, and unbiased elections.
- Assisting during tense situations like riots or natural disasters.
- Management of the Public Sector Units/ PSUs.
Hierarchical Framework with Basic Pay
| Years of Service | Position | Basic Pay (INR) | ||
| District Administration | State Secretariat | Central Secretariat | ||
| 1-4 | Sub-Distrct Magistrate | Under-Secretary | Assistant Secretary | 56,100 |
| 5-8 | Additional District Magistrate | Deputy Secretary | Under Secretary | 67,700 |
| 9-12 | District Magistrate(DM) | Joint Secretary | Deputy Secretary | 78,800 |
| 13-16 | District Magistrate | Special Secreatry-cum-Director | Joint Secretary | 1,18,500 |
| 16-24 | Divisional Commissioner | Secreatry-cum-Director | Director | 1,44,200 |
| 25-30 | Divisioner Commissioner | Principal Secretary | Additional Secretary | 1,82,200 |
| 30-33 | – | Additional Chief Secretary | – | 2,05,400 |
| 34-36 | – | Chief Secretary | Secretary | 2,25,000 |
| 37+ | – | – | Cabinet Secretary of India | 2,50,000 |
Eligibility Criteria of IAS
- An Indian national citizen above 21 years of age.
- Graduate from any of the government-recognized educational institutions.
- Students in the final year of their graduation awaiting their results can also apply. However, they must submit a pass certificate to appear in the exam.
- Candidates with technical or professional qualifications can also be eligible.
- Candidates who completed MBBS but not mandatory internships can also appear for the UPSC-CSE Exam. However, they shall submit the course completion certificate for the Mains exam, including the internship period.
| Sr. No | Category | Upper Age Limit |
| 1 | General/EWS | 32 years |
| 2 | Ex-Defence Personnel | 35 years |
| 3 | Person with Benchmark Disability | 35 years |
| 4 | OBC | 35 years |
| 5 | SC/ST | 37 Years |
Perks of Being an IAS Officer in India
- Job security.
- A fancy government quarter.
- Transportation facilities with a personal chauffeur.
- Study leaves of upto 2 years.
- Highly subsidized bills like electricity, water, and gas connections.
- Study in reputed foreign institutions after 7 years of administrator service.
- The facility of in-house cooks and gardeners.
- Telecom and internet reimbursement.
- Post-retirement pension.
- Post-retirement appointments in other commissions.
Forms of IAS Recruitment
- 66% of positions get filled with the top merits of the three-phasic UPSC-CSE exam.
- The rest 33% pool of Indian Administrators comes from the promotion of State and Non-State Civil Service personnel.
Designations Held by IAS
Some of the designations an Indian Administrator can hold throughout their career are:
- Chief Development Officer/SDub-District Magistrate/Joint Collector.
- District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner.
- Divisions’ Commissioner.
- Revenue Advisor Board member.
- Revenue Commissioner.
- Personal Secretary to Ministers of the Central Government.
- Position in Subordinate or autonomous organizations, etc.
Being an IAS (Full Form Of IAS is Indian Administrative Services) is a tough job with its own price and privileges. A strong leader with an eye for detail and analytical thinking can bring a big change in the life of the countrymen.
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