4 answers
nayan
Student
Stanford, California
1
Question
Updated
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What is an I.A.S. officer?
I'm interested in becoming an I.A.S. officer, but I don't know what the job entails. #government #military #army #career #career-counseling
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4 answers
Rajeev Parasnis
Retired
12
Answers
Panama City, Florida
Updated
Rajeev’s Answer
Long ago in the 50's I had an older relative who was appointed as an Indian Administrative Officer. This position was usually called a "Collector". He was the top man in the hierarchy. I am not sure why a student from a private University in the San Francisco Bay Area is curious about this post. Is this an academic research project? Indian Civil Service (ICS) in the British occupation of India was considered a prestigious and coveted Government job. The terminology changed from ICS to IAS. Never understood what the glamor was but IAS officers were regarded in high esteem in the 60's after independence. Don't hear much about them. Like the coveted posts for the Union Public Service Commission. Those are some of the historic relics of the British "Raj" aka the English using Indians as slaves from 1818 t0 1947.
Jay Sampat
Technology Consultant at PwC
6
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Functions of IAS Officers:
The IAS handles affairs of government, which involves the framing and implementation of policy in consultation with the concerned Minister.
Implementation of policies calls for supervision and also traveling to the places where the decisions taken are being implemented.
Implementation entails disbursement of funds, which calls for personal supervision.
The officers are answerable to the Parliament and State Legislatures for any irregularities that may occur.
The functions and responsibilities of an IAS officer change at different points of his/her career.
All the beginning of their career IAS officers join the state administration at the sub-divisional level, as a sub-divisional magistrate, and look after law and order, general administration and development work in the area under their charge.
The post of the District Officer variously known as District Magistrate, district Collector or Deputy Commissioner is the most prestigious an identifiable post held by the members of the service.
At the district level, these officers are mainly concerned with district affairs, including implementation of developmental programs.
During the normal course of a career, the officers also serve in the State Secretariat or as Heads of Departments or in Public Sector Undertakings.
Officers may move from positions at the State, under deputation, to the Centre and back again.
At the top of the hierarchy of IAS officers at the Centre is the Cabinet Secretary followed by Secretary/Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary. These posts are filled according to seniority.
The main work of IAS officers at the Centre, involves formulation and implementation of policies pertaining to a particular area e.g., finance, commerce, etc.
In the process of policy formulation and decision making, officers at various levels like joint secretary, deputy secretary make their contributions and the final shape to the policy is given or a final decision is taken with the concurrence of the minister concerned or the cabinet depending upon the gravity of the issue.
The powers of the officer basically depend on his scale. For information on scales IAS Officer : Salary and Other Facilities
Source of the above information: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The IAS handles affairs of government, which involves the framing and implementation of policy in consultation with the concerned Minister.
Implementation of policies calls for supervision and also traveling to the places where the decisions taken are being implemented.
Implementation entails disbursement of funds, which calls for personal supervision.
The officers are answerable to the Parliament and State Legislatures for any irregularities that may occur.
The functions and responsibilities of an IAS officer change at different points of his/her career.
All the beginning of their career IAS officers join the state administration at the sub-divisional level, as a sub-divisional magistrate, and look after law and order, general administration and development work in the area under their charge.
The post of the District Officer variously known as District Magistrate, district Collector or Deputy Commissioner is the most prestigious an identifiable post held by the members of the service.
At the district level, these officers are mainly concerned with district affairs, including implementation of developmental programs.
During the normal course of a career, the officers also serve in the State Secretariat or as Heads of Departments or in Public Sector Undertakings.
Officers may move from positions at the State, under deputation, to the Centre and back again.
At the top of the hierarchy of IAS officers at the Centre is the Cabinet Secretary followed by Secretary/Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary. These posts are filled according to seniority.
The main work of IAS officers at the Centre, involves formulation and implementation of policies pertaining to a particular area e.g., finance, commerce, etc.
In the process of policy formulation and decision making, officers at various levels like joint secretary, deputy secretary make their contributions and the final shape to the policy is given or a final decision is taken with the concurrence of the minister concerned or the cabinet depending upon the gravity of the issue.
The powers of the officer basically depend on his scale. For information on scales IAS Officer : Salary and Other Facilities
Source of the above information: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Pramod Yannamsetty
Senior Manager, Technical Program Management
5
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Pramod’s Answer
IAS stands for Indian Administrative service. It is the administration and daily proceedings of the government. The qualification and the requirements to be selected as an IAS office is quite rigorous. But it is a very highly respectable position in India. Below are some of the responsibilities:
Handling affairs of the government, including framing, implementing and reviewing policies.
Consulting with various departments and elected representatives for the above functions.
Management and disbursement of various funds of the central government allocated for different schemes.
Supervising the implementation of various schemes and policies of the government.
Responding to emergencies such as natural disasters, major accidents and riots in their jurisdiction and coordinating relief activities.
You need to be a citizen of India to qualify to be a IAS officer.
Handling affairs of the government, including framing, implementing and reviewing policies.
Consulting with various departments and elected representatives for the above functions.
Management and disbursement of various funds of the central government allocated for different schemes.
Supervising the implementation of various schemes and policies of the government.
Responding to emergencies such as natural disasters, major accidents and riots in their jurisdiction and coordinating relief activities.
You need to be a citizen of India to qualify to be a IAS officer.
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
550
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Nayan, first let me say that I had to ask some of my neighbors and friends how to best answer your questions relating to your dream of joining the ranks of the Indian Administrative Service (I.A.S.) is truly admirable.reflecting a commitment to public service and leadership within the civil services of India. From what they have told me, as an I.A.S. officer, you'll be at the heart of decision-making, policy implementation, and administrative management across various government tiers, ensuring policies are effectively executed and public services are efficiently managed.
IAS officers are entrusted with roles in a range of departments, from revenue and finance to law and order, and development. This gives them a unique and powerful opportunity to shape the socio-economic fabric of India. The role demands robust leadership, sharp analytical skills, and a deep grasp of governance structures.
One of my neighbors stated that the path to becoming an I.A.S. officer is demanding, but it is also a chance to make a substantial difference in societal progress. The journey requires intense training, competitive exams, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Nayan, if your heart beats for public service, social transformation, and enhancing the welfare of your community and country, a career as an I.A.S. officer can be incredibly fulfilling. Embrace the journey with unwavering dedication, knowing that your work can touch and improve countless lives. Here's wishing you all the best in this noble endeavor.
IAS officers are entrusted with roles in a range of departments, from revenue and finance to law and order, and development. This gives them a unique and powerful opportunity to shape the socio-economic fabric of India. The role demands robust leadership, sharp analytical skills, and a deep grasp of governance structures.
One of my neighbors stated that the path to becoming an I.A.S. officer is demanding, but it is also a chance to make a substantial difference in societal progress. The journey requires intense training, competitive exams, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Nayan, if your heart beats for public service, social transformation, and enhancing the welfare of your community and country, a career as an I.A.S. officer can be incredibly fulfilling. Embrace the journey with unwavering dedication, knowing that your work can touch and improve countless lives. Here's wishing you all the best in this noble endeavor.