IAS Full Form

The IAS Full Form is Indian Administrative Services that is one of the 3 All-India services along with IPS & IFS. Every year, UPSC conducts the civil services examination for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) post & other Group “A” & Group “B” services. Most civil services aspirants dream of becoming an IAS officer due to its lucrative job profile and opportunity to influence the growth of the nation. Before starting preparation to become an IAS officer, one should go through the complete information about IAS - IAS full form, IAS Salary, IAS Eligibility, IAS Educational Qualification, and IAS Function & Responsibilities.

Meaning of IAS

IAS Full Form
IAS Full Form in English Indian Administrative Service
IAS Full Form in Hindi भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा
Role of IAS Officer Revenue Collection, Law & Order Maintenance, Function as an executive magistrate, Supervision of Implementation of Policies
Recruitment Process 1. UPSC Civil Services exam
2. Promotion of State Civil Services Officers to IAS
3. Selection of Non-SCS Officers to IAS.

mentor for upsc

What is IAS Officer?

IAS full form is Indian Administrative Services. IAS officers are All-India ranking civil servants that handle public administration and implement government policies. The career of IAS officers begins with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or District Magistrate (DM). With experience, an IAS officer may reach higher positions such as Secretary to the Government and even the cabinet secretary. An IAS officer is generally responsible for implementing government policies at different administrative levels that ensure their reach to the planned beneficiaries.

How to become an IAS Officer?

Entering into the Indian Administrative Services is a prestigious yet challenging process but a highly rewarding career. By understanding the UPSC exam pattern and the demands of UPSC, candidates can achieve the goal of becoming an IAS officer. Before applying, candidates should ensure that they fulfill the eligibility criteria for UPSC.

Recruitment Process of IAS Officers

As of 2024, there are 3 modes of recruitment to Indian Administrative Services (IAS):

  • 1. CSE - Through Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC on a yearly basis.
  • 2. Promotion - Through promotion of State Civil Service officers to Indian Administrative Services.
  • 3. Non-SCS - Through selections of Non-State Civil Service Officers.

IAS Through Civil Services Examination

Joining the Indian Administrative Services, required to clear UPSC civil services examination with good rank. Candidate should match the required eligibility criteria-

IAS Eligibility- Age Criteria & Other Qualification

Nationality Must be a citizen of India.
Educational Qualification A bachelor's degree from a recognized University.
Age Limit General : 21-32 years
OBC : 21-35 years
SC/ST : 21-37 years
PwD : 21-42 years
Attempts General : 6
OBC : 9
SC/ST : Unlimited
Pwd (OBC & General) : 9

Exam Pattern for IAS

Preliminary Stage
Type: Objective (MCQs)
No. of Papers Paper 1- GS ;Paper 2- CSAT
Marks 200 Marks (Each)
Note- The Paper 2 is qualifying in nature and only Paper 1 marks are calculated for the merit.
Mains Stage
Type: Written (Subjective)
No. of Papers 9 Papers - Language(2), Essay(1), GS(4), Optional(2)
Marks Total- 1750 Marks
Note- The 2 language papers are qualifying in nature.
Interview Stage
Marks 225 Marks
Note- The marks of mains and interview are calculated for the final merit list

Training of IAS Officers

Both direct recruits IAS Officers, as well as promotee IAS officers, are imparted probationary training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). After completion of successful probation, they are confirmed. Also, there is a provision for mandatory mid-career training of IAS officers spread across the entire service span.

IAS Foundation Course at LBSNAA

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie is a training institution that conducts a common foundation course for qualified civil servants. LBSNAA also provides in-service and Mid-Career Training Programmes (MCTPs) to the officers of Indian Administrative Services and officers promoted to IAS from state civil services. The foundation course is planned in a way to develop objectives like - Orient Officer Trainees to the administrative, social, economic, and political environment of the country, Generating awareness of the challenges and opportunities within the Civil Services, Promoting overall development of personality traits of the Officer Trainees: intellectual, moral, physical and aesthetic, Foster greater coordination among the members of different Civil Services by building esprit de corps.

Co-curricular activities include in Foundation Courses - Short weekend treks, High Altitude Trek, Village Visit, Fete, India Day, Athletics meet, AK Sinha Memorial One Act Play, Homi Bhabha Science Debate, Extra-Curricular Module, Activities by Clubs and Societies, and Literary Festival.

IAS Training after Foundation Course (sandwich pattern) : After completing the foundation course, the IAS Officer Trainees graduate to Phase-1 training (22 Weeks). After Phase-1 training, the IAS Officer Trainees undergo a 1-year district training in their allotted State cadres. Phase-2 (6 Weeks) is designed to share the experiences gathered across the country by the Officer Trainees on returning to the Academy.

IAS Vacancies in UPSC CSE (10 Years)

Every year UPSC conducts the civil services examination to recruit for posts like IAS, IPS, etc. Recruitment to the IAS is done mainly through the UPSC's Civil Services Examination annually. Here’s an overview of the number of IAS officers selected in the last 10 years through civil services:

Year Total Vacancies General EWS OBC SC ST PwD
2014 180 90 No EWS 51 26 13 0
2015 180 91 No EWS 49 27 13 0
2016 180 90 No EWS 49 27 14 0
2017 186 93 No EWS 46 28 13 6
2018 187 91 No EWS 48 27 14 7
2019 187 72 18 52 25 13 7
2020 187 72 18 49 28 13 7
2021 187 72 18 49 27 14 7
2022 188 75 18 45 29 13 8
2023 186 73 17 49 27 14 6

IAS Salary and Posts

Salary of IAS
1. Under Secretary Rs. 56,100/-
2. Deputy Secretary Rs. 67,700/-
3. Director Rs. 78,800/-
4. Joint Secretary(GOI) / Secretary in State Government Rs. 1,44,200/-
5. Additional Secretary(GOI) / Principal Secretary in State Government Rs. 1,82,200/-
6. Secretary (GOI) / Chief Secretary Rs. 2,25,000/-
7. Cabinet Secretary Rs. 2,50,000/-

Promotions of IAS Officers

From SDM to the Cabinet Secretary, It takes more than 30 years, and the best performance from IAS officers to reach the top stage-

Promotions of IAS
Assistance Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner 3-5 Years
Deputy Commissioner to Joint Commissioner 5-7 Years
Joint Commissioner to Commissioner 7-10 Years
Commissioner to Secretary to Government 10-15 Years
Secretary to Government to Additional Chief Secretary 15-20 Years
Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Secretary 20-25 Years
Chief Secretary to Cabinet Secretary 25-30 Years

IAS Officers Designaton During Field Posting

IAS Appointments to Other Organizations / Bodies

IAS officers can also be appointed in autonomous organizations/Sub-Ordinate Organizations/PSUs/UN Organizations/International Organizations like World Bank, and Asia Development Bank in various capacities. They also serve as Personal Secretaries to Ministers in Central Government. There are provisions for the deputation of IAS officers to provide organizations also for a fixed tenure.

Functions of IAS Officers

IAS Officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, revenue administration, and general administration in the area under them. Their functions broadly include:

IAS Promotions Protocol

From the assistant commissioner to the cabinet secretary, an IAS officer is entitled to promotions and raises in salary. The promotion was granted after evaluating the performance based on Performance Appraisal Reports (PAR), Vigilance Clearance, and scrutiny of the overall record of the officers. The scrutiny process is completed by a dedicated committee of senior civil servants. The time period spent by an officer in a specific grade is a dependent promotion factor and specified years of service are necessary condition to be eligible for promotion.

What is PAR?

The Performace Appraisal Report (PAR) is initiated by the officer himself, where the officer needs to write about his achievements and various activities that fulfill the task assigned to him. The report is written and commented on by the next immediate officer and reviewed by the senior officer higher than the reviewing officer.

Regulations related to IAS

The Indian Administrative Officers are governed and regulated by various rules and regulations such as AIS (conduct) rules- 1968, AIS (PAR) rules- 2007, AIS (DCRB) rules- 1958, AIS (Cadre) rules- 1954, AIS (Pay) rules- 2007, etc. These rules govern the All India Services - IAS, IPS & IFS, and are framed under the power conferred by the All India Services Act, 1951.

Difference Between IAS and IPS Officer

The two most prestigious services in the Government of India are Indian Administrative Services and Indian Police Services which attract lakhs of applications yearly for the UPSC civil services examination. Both services play an important role in maintaining law & order, security, and governance in India, but there are some key differences between these two services.

IAS IPS
Roles Responsible for Implementing Government Policies, Overseeing the functioning of departments, and Holding positions such as District Magistrate, Secretary, etc. Responsible for maintaining law& order, ensuring internal security, and Overseeing the functioning of police departments, Holding positions such as DIG, SP & DGP, etc.
Training IAS Officers undergo training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. IPS Officers undergo training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad.
Progression Sub-divisional magistrates (SDM), District Magistrates (DM), Divisional Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Inspector General (IG), Director-General of Police (DGP), Director at state or central agencies like CBI & RAW.
Powers and Authorities Administrative powers - Implementing Policies and controlling Budgets. Managing powers - Managing resources. Maintain Law & Order, Prevent crime, and Public Safety. Indian Penal Code (IPC) Law enforcement.
Perks Accommodation, Government vehicles, security Accommodation, Government vehicles

Both services are important pillars of the Indian bureaucracy but there are differences in their responsibilities and work area. The IAS officers are required to focus on governance, administration, and implementation of policies, while IPS officers are required to focus on law& order, law enforcement, and public safety. Aspirants should choose the services after considering the job profiles of both services.

IAS vs IPS - Who is more Powerful?

Both IAS & IPS posts are esteemed services of the Indian bureaucracy and complement each other. In their respective areas, both hold significant authority, while IAS officers hold administrative control and policy implementation powers, IPS officers are the ultimate authority in law enforcement and public safety. But comparatively, to IPS powers, IAS officers have powers in a broader aspect, while IPS officers are limited to law enforcement and public safety in a particular state, and IAS officer holds broader authority over the state departments. IAS officers oversee various government departments and law & order is one of them, IAS officers hold control over police departments with significant influence.

How to Prepare for the IAS Exam?

Preparing for the IAS examination, conducted by the UPSC, requires a well-structured strategy with the right approach and consistency.

FAQs Regarding Indian Administrative Services (IAS)

Ans. The full form of IAS is Indian Administrative Services and the full form of IPS is Indian Police Services.

Ans. The basic salary of an Indian Administrative Services (IAS) varies based on thier rank. At Under-Secretary level, the basic pay is Rs. 56,100/- and At Cabinet Secretary, the basic pay is Rs. 2,50,000/-.

Ans. To become an IAS officer, aspirants need to secure top rank in the UPSC civil services examination or by promotions from state civil services officer to IAS or Selections of Non- SCS Officers to IAS.
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