What is the full form of IAS?

What is IAS?

IAS can be expanded as Indian Administrative Services. IAS is considered as one of the toughest and most prestigious exams which is conducted every by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Candidates who pass the exam can get a good position in the Indian government.

The IAS exam was started in 1858 with the name of Imperial Civil Service. It was named as IAS in 1950. IAS gained the highest rank in terms of other Indian administrative posts. IAS is the permanent bureaucracy. The exam is attempted by a large number of people each year.

Eligibility Criteria for IAS exam

Candidates have to meet certain eligibility criteria to go for the exam. The eligibility criteria are discussed below −

Nationality of the candidates

Candidates whose nationality is Indian are eligible to go for the IAS exam.

Age Limit

Candidates having a minimum age limit of 21 years and a maximum age limit of 32 years can apply for the exam.

Educational Qualification

Candidates who have completed their graduation from a reputed university recognized by or registered under the Government of India can go for the exam. Candidates whose graduation results are yet to be declared are also allowed to apply for the exam.

Number of attempts

Number of attempts for the exams has been fixed for different categories of people and they are mentioned below −

• General – 6 attempts

• OBC – 9 attempts

• SC/ST – No fixed limit

• Economically Weaker Section – 6 attempts

• Person with disability – 9 attempts

• Defence Service Personnel – 9 attempts

SC/ST candidates can make attempts for any number of times till they reach the maximum age of 32 years.

Duties of an IAS Officer

IAS Officers have to perform different types of duties and has to shoulder different types of responsibilities. Here are the duties of an IAS Officer −

• Roles and responsibilities of IAS officers change from one stage to another

• IAS officers have to take care of the tasks assigned to them for states and districts.

• Duties have to be performed as per the norms of the government of India

• They have to travel from one place to another

• They establish policies so that funds can be distributed for different tasks

• Developmental duties have to be performed at the district level

• An IAS officer may also be designated as a State Secretariat

• He may also be given the responsibility of becoming in charge of different departments

IAS interesting facts

• First IAS officer in India was Satyendra Nath Tagore

• First woman IAS officer was Anna Rajam Malhotra

• First woman IPS officer was Kiran Bedi

• IAS officers can get their postings in rural, urban, and semi-urban areas

• Ansar Ahmad Shaikh is the youngest IAS officer as he was born on June 1st, 1995.

Ranks of IAS Officers

The ranks of IAS officers from high to low are given below

• Cabinet Secretary ranks at the top

• Secretary/Additional Secretary

• Joint Secretary

• Director

• Under Secretary

• Junior Scale Officers

Types of IAS officers

IAS officers can be of many types and they are discussed here.

Training Officer

The candidates selected to become an IAS officer have to go for training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration at Mussoorie.

Sub-District Magistrate (SDM)

The responsibility of a sub-district magistrate is to take care of the soldiers and supervise their work. SDM has to be in touch with the government and other departments to handle different types of matters.

Additional District Magistrate

An SDM is promoted to ADM (Additional District Magistrate), Deputy Secretary, or Undersecretary. An ADM can take up the role of additional collector, collector, and land acquisition collector. Another responsibility of ADM is that he can act as a registrar of the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act. ADMs can also work as vigilance officers or additional revenue collectors.

District Magistrate

ADM is promoted to district magistrate or DM. The responsibilities are the same as ADM.

Divisional Commissioner/Secretary Cum Commissioner/Joint Secretary

The responsibilities of a divisional commissioner are to supervise the revenue of a division. Development administration is also a part of his duty.

Divisional Commissioner/ Principal Secretary/ Additional Secretary

A divisional commissioner is responsible for maintaining law and order in a division that consists of three to five districts.

Additional Chief Secretary

Additional Chief Secretary is ranked above the Principal Secretary and Additional Secretary.

Chief Secretary

The Chief Secretary is the head of the administrative wing of a state government. All departments have to coordinate with him or her.

Cabinet Secretary of India

The top position in the Indian Administrative Services is Cabinet Secretary of India. The person handling this position is the official head of the Civil Services Board of India.

Difference between IPS and IAS

IAS and IPS have many differences and we will discuss some of them here

Responsibilities

IAS officers are responsible for the development of their state or district while the IPS officers have to maintain law and order.

Training

IAS officers are trained for two years at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie while IPS officers are trained for one year at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad.

Powers

IAS officers have been given the power to make decisions in relation to administration, governance, and development while IPS officers have the power to maintain law and order along with preventing crimes. They also have to manage the police force.

Conclusion

IAS can be expanded as Indian Administrative Services. People who want to become an IAS have to go for the IAS exam held by UPSC. Prelims, Mains, and interviews are part of the selection. This exam is considered as one of the toughest exams all over the world. They start their career as a training officer and can go up to the rank of Cabinet Secretary of India

FAQs

1.What educational qualification is required to apply for the IAS exam?

A candidate needs to have completed his or her graduation from a reputed university recognized by the government of India.

2.How many times a candidate belonging to the general category can attempt for IAS exam?

The maximum number of attempts is 6 for candidates belonging to the general category

3.Which is the highest post to which an IAS officer can reach?

An IAS officer can reach to the highest position of Cabinet Secretary of India.

4.What is the maximum age limit to apply for an IAS exam?

The maximum age limit to apply for an IAS exam is 32 years.

5.Who is the father of the Indian Administrative Service in India?

Charles Cornwallis is the father of the Indian Administrative service as he took steps for its modernization and reformation.