What is a Typical Day of an IRS, IPS, IFS, and Other Civil Service Officers?

Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) are among the reverend civil services in India. Each position holds a different set of roles and responsibilities in government services. This blog will navigate through a typical day of the IRS, IPS, IFS, and other civil service officers based on their roles.

IRS officers are engaged in the collection and management of taxes and revenues for the government. IPS officers are responsible for managing law enforcement through crime management, security, and investigation. The role of IFS officers is to work for the maintenance and conservation of forests and wildlife species.

A Typical Day of an IRS Officer

An IRS officer works under the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Revenue of the Government of India. The primary task of officers in this department is to maintain and collect direct and indirect taxes for the government. The Indian Revenue Service is divided into two departments:

Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)

The typical tasks of IRS Income Tax officers include:

Formulating the developing direct tax policies with relation to the Tax and Legislation Section.
Formulating and developing international tax policies through the Foreign Tax and Tax Research Division
Investigating matters of tax deception and relating matters though the Investigation section
Controlling direct tax policies through the various field offices spread over India
Directing any other policies and functions which are related to direct taxes

Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Tax)

The typical tasks of IRS Customs and Indirect Tax officers are as follows:

Formulating and enforcing policies pertaining to the Goods and Services Tax
Detecting and keeping a check on any form of activities that involve corruption or black money, also on the international scale
Participation and negotiation in conventions related to fiscal policies with WTO, United Nations, World Customs Organisation, etc. on the behalf of the government
Controlling and investigating matters of smuggling, customs, and narcotics.

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A Typical Day of an IPS Officer

Typical day to day tasks of Indian Police Service officers includes law enforcement, crime management, public peace, investigation, VIP Security, border control, and the like. Office hours of IPS officers are not fixed, and they may even have to work round the clock if duty calls. The position requires strong mental and physical health in order to deal with the complications of crime.

IPS officers can also be appointed as directors of intelligence agencies like RAW and IB, and commanders of armed forces based on experience and seniority. There are several positions in the IPS category, each one serving a different and specialized purpose.

Roles and Responsibilities of IPS Officers

Maintaining crime management, investigation, counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, corruption, VIP security, or and other major law offence.
Communicating and exchanging information with the Indian Revenue Service, and Indian Armed Forces
To inculcate and prosper value and norms in forces under them, to serve the citizens better
Leading, communicating with, and commanding intelligence agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Crime Investigation Department (CID).
Leading, communicating with, and commanding centrally armed forces.

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A Typical Day of an IFS Officer

Indian Foreign Service officers’ tasks include dealing with foreign and external affairs of the country in relation to culture, economics, trade, and diplomacy. IFS comes under Group A and Group B officers of civil services in India. The role of Indian Foreign Service officers is to assist in framing and implementation of policies for the relations among national and foreign governments.

The various offices and positions held by IFS officers include the Ambassador, Consul General, High Commissioner, Representational officers for India in the United Nations, and Foreign Secretary. The foreign secretary is the topmost position as the highest diplomat and the administrative head of India’s Foreign Services board.

Roles and Responsibilities of IFS Officers

The most important role is to represent the country in the embassies, high commissions, and consulates of other nations.
Serving as permanent representatives of the country in multilateral organizations like the United Nations
To maintain and uphold the national interests of the country
To provide consular support to the citizens of India who are staying in other countries
To encourage friendly relations with other nations, and granting relaxations for NRIs and PIOs.

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Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Another Service with Similar Terminology

IFS is also termed with Indian Forest Service. The task of Indian Forest Service officers are to work on the maintenance and conservation of forests, natural resources, and wildlife under the National Forest Policy. The Head of Forest Forces is the highest post among officers in each state. The systems on which officers work include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves.

The policies which are implemented in this service are related to the sustainability of ecological systems in the country. They also work to enhance earning opportunities for those who are dependent on forest-related activities. The appointment for this department is similar to other civil services through the UPSC examinations.

Roles and Responsibilities of IFS Officers

Implementing the National Forest Policy in the country to maintain and conserve the ecological system
Managing the National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Protected Areas, and Tiger Reserves
To emphasize the protection of flora and fauna in a specific region.

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Other Important Civil Services

There are three major departments which come under the All India Services in India. These include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS). In all, there are a total of 23 civil services positions in the country. IAS, one of the major All India Services helps in framing and implementing policies made by central and state government. It is also responsible for collecting and managing government revenues.

Roles and Responsibilities of IAS Officers

Overseeing and administration and working of the government, and consulting ministers from a specific department or ministry in framing and implementing policies.
Serving as Cabinet secretary, Joint secretary, or Additional Secretary on the Central or state level
Collection of revenues and working on matters related to revenue offences and crimes
To maintain law and order through the proper functioning of government policies, and ensuring adherence in all of the country.

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List of Civil Services in India

The civil services in India are divided into three major parts. The first part is the All India Service section, followed by Group A and Group B civil services. The services in group B can be either administrative or police based. The UPSC preparation for Civil Services Examination opens up several opportunities for candidates in the following fields and departments:

All India Services

Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
Indian Forest Service (IFS)

Group A Services

Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service
Indian Defense Accounts Service
Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise)
Indian Audit and Accounts Service
Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)
Indian Ordnance Factories Service
Indian Civil Accounts Service
Indian Postal Service
Indian Railway Traffic Service
Indian Railway Accounts Service
Indian Railways Personnel Service
Indian Railway Protection Force
Indian Defence Estates Service
Indian Information Service (Junior)
Indian Trade Service
Indian Corporate Law Service

Group B Services

Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli Civil Service
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli Police Service
Pondicherry Civil Service
Pondicherry Police Service

UPSC Preparation for Civil Services

The UPSC preparation for civil services examinations allows entrance to any of the above-mentioned departments in India. The exam is conducted in a similar pattern for each. The subjects may vary according to the field or from what the candidate chooses from the optional list. The exam is conducted in three parts, the preliminary exam, the mains exam, and a personality interview.

IAS preparation does not differ significantly from any other preparation. The candidate has to be well updated with current affairs, and a fairly good knowledge of NCERT books. The highest positions in the civil services require rigorous practice and preparation, as it is in the luck of few to reach the top. The key is to be consistent, dedicated, and always updated about information.

Conclusion

This blog navigated you through what a typical day in the life of IRS, IPS, IFS, and other civil services officers looks like. The other departments which are given in the list are all working for the national interest in some way or other, through government-based positions. The UPSC preparation, or IAS preparation, is similar for the civil service examination for different positions in most aspects.

To conclude, the civil services in India are a vast ocean to be explored, which provides immense potential in terms of growth and employability, by working for the country’s government.