The Civil Services form the backbone of the Indian government and Indian Administration Service (IAS) is its crown. Despite the plethora of conventional and unconventional career options, IAS has managed to retain its shine and repute. IAS falls in the category of ‘All India Civil Services’ along with Indian Forest Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). IAS officers hold a lot of power and status in their hand and almost all ministries and departments of the government are headed by them. From implementing policies to supervising administration, an IAS officer does it all.
The IAS officers are regulated through various All India Service Rules made and conferred by the All India Services Act, 1951. These include:
- AIS (Cadre) Rules, 1954
- AIS (DCRB) Rules, 1958
- AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968
- AIS (Pay) Rules, 2007
- AIS (PAR) Rules, 2007, etc.
Duties and Concerns of an IAS Officer
An IAS officer is responsible for general administration, revenue administration, and maintenance of Law and Order. His roles can be broadly summed up as:
- Function as an Executive Magistrate
- Function as District Development Officer/Chief Development Officer (CDO)
- Function as a court in matters of revenue
- Maintain of Law and Order
- Supervise the implementation of Central and State Government policies
- Supervise the expenditure of public funds as per the norms of financial propriety
- Travel to places to oversee the implementation of policies
- Contribute to the process of policy formulation and decision making
- Handle the daily affairs of the government
Designations and Grades offered to IAS Officers
During his period of service, an IAS officer gets the opportunity to head the following designations:
| Scale | Designation | Time-period of Promotion | Pay Scale (INR) |
| Junior Scale | Assistant Secretary in the Government of India | Joining designation | Pay Band: 15600-39100 Grade Pay – 5400 |
| Senior Scale | Under Secretary in Government of India / District Magistrate | After 4 years of service | Pay Band: 15600-39100 Grade Pay – 6600 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | Deputy Secretary in Government of India / District Magistrate | After 9 years of service
| Pay Band: 15600-39100 Grade Pay – 7600 |
| Selection Grade | Director in Government of India / Divisional Commissioner | After 13 years of service | Pay Band: 37400-67000 Grade Pay – 8700 |
| Super Times Scale | Joint Secretary to Government of India / Secretary in State Government | After 16 years of service
| Pay Band: 37400-67000 Grade Pay – 10000 |
| Above Super Time Scale
| Additional Secretary in Government of India / Principal Secretary in State Government | After 25 years of service | Pay Band: 37400-67000 Grade Pay – 12000 |
| Secretary to Government of India / Chief Secretary | After 30 years of service | Pay Scale: 80000 (fixed) No Grade Pay | |
| Cabinet Secretary | Pay Scale: 90000 (fixed) No Grade Pay |
Besides, an IAS officer can also be appointed in PSUs, autonomous organizations, subordinate organizations, UN organizations, Asian Development Banks, World Bank, etc. IAS officers also serve as Personal Secretaries to Ministers in Central Government and deputed to private organizations for fixed tenures.
Must Read: IAS 2019 – Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, etc.
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