All About the IAS

There’s a reason as to why the IAS or Indian Administrative Service is the most preferred career in India. No other career or job can offer you the same power, perks, status, privileges, and job satisfaction as the IAS. Not to mention the tremendous opportunity offered to contribute positively to the very society we are a part of. In fact it’s a distortion of reality to call the IAS a job. It’s a career, much more than a mere 9 to 6 job. The IAS personnel enjoy the levers of power in the Indian administrative setup and occupy some of the most responsible positions in the government.

Did you know that most of the time the brains behind our esteemed ministers are some very intelligent IAS officers? Did you know that every year only about 120-150 manage to become IAS by clearing the prestigious IAS Exam? Did you know that all the schemes announced with much fanfare, like NREGA, are actually planned, prepared, and executed by IAS officers in different capacities? 

The IAS is not a post-Independence creation. In fact it is the successor of the Indian Civil Services (ICS), a colonial creation, and the all-important post of District Collector or District Magistrate was in existence right since the 19^th century! Of course, then the Collector enjoyed far more powers than the present day Collector but still he is the most important representative of the government at the cutting edge level of administration – the District. In 1947 when India gained independence, Sardar Vallabhahi Patel who was independent India’s first Home Minister felt that this country required a new service to match the enormous responsibility of managing a poor, under developed and fledgling democracy. Thus he went about the task of establishing the “Steel Frame” of India in the form of the IAS. Since then till now IAS officers have been called to perform all sorts of functions and duties and this they have done quite effectively.

The job profile of an IAS officer is truly multi-dimensional, challenging, exciting, and fulfilling at the same time. During the course of your career as an IAS, you will get to implement policies and programmes framed by the higher up’s, frame policies yourself when you reach the same level, manage industrial concerns in the public sector, be a crisis manager and much more. Let’s take it one by one.

As the Collector of an entire District you will execute policies handed down by the higher ups. After what can give more satisfaction than ensuring that the poorest of the poor get work through the NREGA or that they are fed their daily rations through the PDS? You will be responsible for land revenue collection, coordination, and the overall development of the district.

Regulation involves ensuring the entitlements are honoured. For instance as the Director or Secretary of Education you will need to ensure that educational institutions are not swindling their wards parents, that development fee is not being extracted etc. Or as the RBI Governor (most of them are retired IAS officers) you are entrusted with regulating the entire banking sector. Sounds interesting?

Suppose you’re the Collector of some district and some natural or man-made disaster takes place then it’s your job to arrange for the relief operations, evacuate the stricken, inform the local military personnel and seek their assistance, arrange for post-disaster development aid and so on. If you wanted a job that is challenging here’s your opportunity.  

As you move up in the IAS hierarchy you’ll get many opportunities to frame policies and have a say in the decision-making at the top level. All big-ticket schemes like NREGS, RTI, Mid-Day Meal, JNNURM etc. involve senior bureaucrats from the state and central government in their planning and execution stages. This is your chance to make a difference to how the country is run. Become a player, not just a spectator.

IAS officers are a pampered lot. They not only enjoy high social standing, power, perks but a handsome salary as well, especially after implementation of the 6th pay commission. To know how much IAS officers are paid including their basic pay read this hub on IAS Salary.

According to the Personnel Ministry website there are more than 4,500 IAS officers in India currently. Of course this number keeps changing according to the demands for more officers, new services introduced, departments created, backlog filled etc. For the past 5 years, more than 100 IAS officers are being recruited by UPSC each year. 

To know more about the IAS exam including preparing for the IAS, books for IAS and how to become an IAS visit this useful IAS blog that has tips for selecting the right IAS optionals, IAS quizzes, free eBook and much more.