Indian Administrative Service (IAS) - Overview

Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

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Recruiting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Recruiting Exam: Civil Services Examination (CSE)

Type of Service: Group A / All India Service

Service Domain: General Administration

Year of Establishment: 1947 (ICS since 1886)

Controlling Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Entry Level Post: Assistant Collector / Assistant Commissioner

Highest Post: Chief Secretary (State) / Cabinet Secretary (Central)

Training Academy: LBSNAA, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

About the Service

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the three All India Services, along with the IPS and IFS. Established in 1947, it replaced the Imperial Civil Service (ICS). Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in shaping the IAS, calling it the “steel frame” of India. IAS officers are responsible for governance, policy formulation, and development administration across India.

Recruitment and Entry

Recruitment to the IAS is through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages — Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.

Career Hierarchy and Designations

Assistant Collector / Assistant Commissioner: Entry-level post handling sub-district administration.
Sub-Collector / Deputy Commissioner: Supervises district-level revenue and development.
District Magistrate / Collector: Heads law & order and district administration.
Divisional Commissioner: Oversees multiple districts in a division.
Secretary / Principal Secretary: Heads departments in State/Central Government.
Chief Secretary: Top administrator at State level.
Cabinet Secretary: Highest-ranking civil servant in India.

Promotional Grades and Pay Levels

Grade	Experience	Designation / Role	Pay Scale
Junior Time Scale	Entry	Assistant Collector	₹56,100
Senior Time Scale	4 years	Deputy Secretary / Sub-Collector	₹67,700 – ₹1,18,500
Junior Administrative Grade	9 years	District Magistrate / Director	₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200
Selection Grade	13 years	Divisional Commissioner / Secretary	₹1,18,500 – ₹2,14,100
Super Time Scale	16 years	Principal Secretary	₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200
Above Super Time Scale	25+ years	Chief Secretary / Cabinet Secretary	₹2,25,000 (fixed)

Training Structure

Foundation Course (3 months): Covers public administration, ethics, and Indian polity.
District Training (1 year): Field exposure under senior IAS mentorship.
Professional Training: Specialized modules in finance, policy, and development sectors.

Cadre Allocation Policy

IAS officers are recruited centrally but allotted to State Cadres based on rank, preference, and state quota. Officers can serve in Central, State, or deputation roles. Promotions are guided by a time-bound and merit-based system managed by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).

Significance of IAS

The IAS remains the cornerstone of Indian governance — driving administrative reforms, implementing welfare programs, and ensuring continuity and stability across democratic institutions.