The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is the administrative civil service of the Government of India. IAS officers hold key positions in the Union government, state governments and public-sector undertakings. powers and responsibilities of an IAS
Along with the police and forest services, the IAS is one of the three All India Services – its cadre can be employed both by the union government and the states. IAS officers are recruited by the Union government on the recommendation of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and posted under various state governments. The officers carry high respect and stature in the society coupled with the significant task of administering public offices, making it one of the most desirable jobs in India.
A. Powers & Responsibilities of an IAS Officer
The clichéd quote ‘With great power comes great responsibility’, stands true for an IAS officer as they have to look after and manage administrative functions as well as implement developmental policies for the government.
B. General Responsibilities and associated powers of an IAS officer
Apart from post specific and role specific powers and responsibilities, every IAS officers are given power to fulfil certain general responsibilities as mentioned below: • To manage the governmental affairs and infrastructure
• Implement and supervise the implementation process of governmental policies
• Disburse funds and resources for implementation of policies and upkeep and maintenance of governmental infrastructure
• Ensure zero irregularities in fund management, as the officer is answerable to the Parliament and respective state legislature for accounting of funds allotted to them
C. Responsibilities of an IAS officer as per their post/role
As mentioned before, the responsibilities and associated powers of an IAS officer change at different points in their career. The general ones are given below:
• At Sub-Divisional Level: IAS officers are posted at sub-divisional level on the post of sub-divisional magistrate at the beginning of their career.
• At District Level: IAS officers are deployed on District Magistrate’s post or as a District Collector or Deputy Commissioner. The responsibilities and associated powers of IAS officer at district level remain same.
• At State Level: IAS officers are promoted to state level administration after being promoted from post of District magistrate. Here, they can be post as a bureaucrat in state secretariat or head of departments.
• In Public Sector Undertakings: Many IAS officers are also posted at high level administrative positions in government owned Public Sector Undertakings as well. New trend shows that most of the Big PSUs are headed by the IAS Officers. powers and responsibilities of an IAS
• At Central Level: Posting with central government lies at top of the hierarchy as far as IAS offices postings are concerned. At central level, the officer can serve as Cabinet Secretary, Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary under different departments or ministries of central government. powers and responsibilities of an IAS
Every year, lakhs of people take the IAS prelims exam. Out of this, only about 25% emerge victorious and move onto the ‘mains’. After the main exam around 15% make it to the interview stage. In the interview stage, the success rate is about 50%. So, the pass percentage in the UPSC exam is less than 1%. UPSC exam can be called tough, if the student follows a strategy and prepare with direction, they can easily crack the exam. Here is the list of Top Coaching Centre which can help the students to scale the IAS Exam. powers and responsibilities of an IAS
