IAS (or I.A.S) stands for the Indian Administrative Service. The Indian Administrative Service is the premier administrative civil service of India. It is one of the three All India Services (AIS). The other two being Indian Police Service (IPS) and IFoS (Indian Forest Service).

As IAS officers are a part of the All India Services, they serve the Government of India as well as state cadres, depending on their deputation. During the British era, it was referred to as the Indian/Imperial Civil Service (ICS). After independence, ICS was changed to IAS ( the abbreviated form of Indian Administrative Service).

IAS – Indian Administrative Service : Recruitment and Roles

Recruitment of IAS officers

The minimum educational qualification needed for becoming an IAS officer is graduation from a recognised university.

• Direct recruits – The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India is tasked with the recruitment of IAS officers along with IPS, IRS and other premier Group A (and a few Group B) services. The UPSC recruits All India Service and Central Service officers through the prestigious Civil Service exam.

• Promotion from state civil services

Functions of IAS officers

IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officers hold key positions in the administrative machinery of the Indian government. They are the bureaucratic backbone of the parliamentary system of government. They can be a part of the district administration, state secretariat and the central secretariat. The highest ranking IAS officer in India is the Cabinet Secretary.

• They oversee law and order, and general administration
• Collector, District Magistrate, Chief Development Officer, Executive Magistrate , District Development Commissioner are few key posts which are held by IAS officers
• They can also be appointed to manage Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs)
• IAS officers handle the day-to-day affairs of the Government
• Indian Administrative Service officers are involved in policy formulation and policy implementation
• IAS officers are often tasked with overseeing public fund management

IAS Salary in India – 7th Pay Commission

The new pay structure has dispensed with the system of Pay Grades for the various Indian Civil Services and introduced Consolidated Pay Levels as per the 7th Central Pay Commission recommendation. Now the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) pay scale is decided only on the Basic Pay along with TA, DA and HRA.

Becoming an IAS officer is a matter of great pride and it comes with an even greater responsibility to the citizens and the nation. If you want to kickstart your UPSC preparation, refer to the links below.

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