The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) is one of the ‘Group A’ services created in 1976 to provide accounting and auditing services to the Government of India. It functions through the Indian Civil Accounts Organisation under the Ministry of Finance. This article provides information on the roles and responsibilities, pay scales, probationary period and career prospects of ICAS.
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Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) – Roles and Responsibilities
The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) fulfils the following functions:
- Development of processes, systems and forms related to government accounts of the Union of India and the states.
- Framing and optimisation of manuals, rules and procedures for accounting of receipts and payments according to Government Accounting Rules, 1990.
- Preparation of monthly and annual account statements along with periodic audits of revenue, deficits and borrowings.
- Monitoring and reconciliation of cash balances of the Government of India with the Reserve Bank of India.
- Coordination of management accounting systems in Civil Ministries along with developing and implementing human resource augmentation programmes for the service and allied organisations.
The ICAS service currently has 9000 employees and 226 officers.
Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) – Grades, Pay Scales
The salaries of ICAS officers are paid according to the 7th pay commission recommendations.
The below table provides a general idea of Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) grade and salary
| Grade | Basic Pay Level |
| Assistant Controller of Accounts | Rs.56100 |
| Assistant Controller General of Accounts/Deputy Controller of Accounts | Rs.67700 – Rs.78800 |
| Deputy Controller General of Accounts/ Controller of Accounts | Rs.118500- Rs.144200 |
| Joint Controller General of Accounts/Chief Controller of Accounts | Rs.182200 |
| Principal Chief Controller of Accounts | Rs.205400 |
| Additional Controller General of Accounts | Rs.225000 |
| Controller General of Accounts | Rs.250000 |
Civil Accounts Officers used to function under both ICAS and IA&AS cadres earlier and were directly under the control of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General(CAG) of India. As a part of the ongoing consolidation of services, civil accounts are the sole responsibility of ICAS.
UPSC aspirants should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each service while filling out their preference in the Detailed Application Form (DAF).
Aspirants of the upcoming Civil Services exam can know more about the following exams information –
To know more about other Civil Services, visit the link UPSC Posts.
Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) – Training of Probationary Officers
The Indian Civil Accounts Service has a three-stage training programme for ICAS UPSC recruits. The following are the three stages
- ICAS officers undergo initial training at the National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM), Faridabad for a total duration of 6 months. This also includes a foreign country exposure tour.
- The second stage of training is conducted at the Institute of Government Accounts and Finance (INGAF)
- The third stage of training is On the Job Training (OJT) in one of the 87 Pay & Accounts offices spread throughout the country.
Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) – Career Prospects
- Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is the highest position in the office of the Department of Expenditure.
- CGA is supported by ICAS officers at different levels and grades and their duties are executed as per the instructions of the Ministry of Finance.
- ICAS cadre officers get the opportunity to handle accounting and auditing in various ministries.
- Some of the lucrative positions open for senior-level ICAS cadre officers are Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, Chief Controller of Accounts, and Controller of Accounts.
The above details would help candidates preparing for UPSC 2023 in setting up their goals.
Related Links
| IAS Salary | IAS Eligibility |
| UPSC Books | Static GK |
| Civil Service Exam | UPSC Syllabus |
| Best Optional Subjects for UPSC | 10 Must-Read Books for IAS Aspirants |
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