Founded as the Imperial Civil Service (ICS) in 1858, the services became Indian Administrative Services (IAS) on January 26, 1950.

 

As already discussed about the exam (link) and pattern (link), we will here discuss the post of IAS which is the permanent bureaucracy of the nation and forms a part of the executive wing. It includes handling of affairs of the government which involves drafting, implementing and renewing policies.

 

Role of an IAS Officer

 

The assignments are of 3 types-

 

• Field Assignments

 

• Further divided into Sub-divisional and District-level roles where as a Sub-divisional Officer the IAS officer is the chief civil officer of the Sub Division and enjoys adequate powers to handle revenue, executive, magisterial, developmental and judicial works along with the control over the Tehsildar & their staff.

 

• As a District Collector, the responsibility has increased to implement the National & State policies on welfare and planned development. The officer serves as a channel of communication between the government and residents of the district.

The major duties are namely, Collector, District Administrator, District Magistrate, District Development Officer, Responsibility of Disaster Management, Election related functions, Food & Civil Supplies and Residuary functions

 

• State Secretariat / Public Sector Undertakings

 

• As a State Secretariat, an IAS Officer uses their previous field experience to advise the representative policies and make decisions for the government.

 

• A job at Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) make the officer a part of higher management wherein the undertakings include power stations, industrial units, defence units, coal sector and many more.

 

• Central Secretariat

 

• The officers with secretarial level postings at the Central government look after policy reviews, formulation, and implementation for different ministries.

 

• Some of the officers are also deputed to international bodies like the United Nations, World Health Organisation, etc.

 

• Some provisions also exist to transfer IAS Officers to private organizations for a limited time.

 

The assignments include administrative work, maintaining law and order, management and documentation supervision and are thus difficult to handle.

 

Functions of an IAS Officer

 

• Consultations with various departments for policy implementation.
• Managing Central and State Government affairs like framing, implementing and revising policies.
• Supervision of the already implemented schemes and policies of the government
• Distribution of funds allocated from the Central Government for various schemes
• Handling immediate emergencies like natural disasters, major accidents and riots

 

Salary Structure

 

Along with the basic pay at the entry-level, the additional allowances are-

 

• Dearness Allowance (increased by the Government at regular intervals)
• House Rent Allowance (based on the city where the IAS officer is posted), which generally lies between 8% to 24% of the basic pay
• Travel Allowance
• Transport Allowance
• Medical Allowance (reimbursement in case of a medical treatment)

 

Ranks, Posts, Basic Pay and Service Period of the IAS

 

Grade	Posts	Service Period	Basic Pay
Junior Scale	SDM, SDO, ADM (After 2 years of Probation Period)	0-4 years	₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000
Senior Time Scale	DM, DC, Joint Secretary	5 years	₹50,000 – ₹1,50,001
Junior Administrative Grade	Special Secretary, State Government Department Heads	9 years	₹50,000 – ₹1,50,002
Selection Grade	Ministry Department Head	12-15 years	₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000
Super Time Scale	Director of any Ministry	17-20 years	₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000
Above Super Time Scale	Commissioner, Additional Secretary	Not Fixed	₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000
Apex Scale	Chief Secretary (in Ministries)	Not Fixed	₹2,40,000
Cabinet Secretary Grade	Cabinet Secretary	Not Fixed	₹2,70,000

 

Career Path Progression of an IAS Officer

 

Trainee Officer at LBSNAA → Sub-District Magistrate → ADM/Deputy Secretary/Undersecretary → District Magistrate/Joint Secretary/Deputy Secretary → District Magistrate/Special Secretary cum Director/Director → Divisional Commissioner/Secretary cum Commissioner/Joint Secretary → Divisional Commissioner/Principal Secretary/Additional Secretary → Additional Chief Secretary → Chief Secretary → Cabinet Secretary of India