The path to becoming an IAS officer in India is very difficult. The difficulties, responsibilities, and challenges begin from the day an aspirant starts preparing for the civil service examinations. Being an IAS officer is one of the most prestigious posts and careers in India. It is a role that requires an officer to look after the workings of government rules, and also provide relief during hard times for the public.
For such a crucial job role, an individual has to go through a lot of difficulties. Lacs of aspirants apply for the examination every year, but only very few can get through. The career of an IAS candidate actually begins after their two years of training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). For an aspirant to get selected for the training in LBSNAA, they first have to clear the Civil Services Preliminary examination, the Mains examination, and the Interview process. Once they have cleared all three tests, they get admission to LBSNAA and begin the wonderful journey of being an IAS officer. Let us discuss in depth further the career of an IAS officer after completion of training in LBSNAA.
Life of an IAS Candidate at LBSNAA
A part of the dream of every IAS aspirant is to get selected in the esteemed institute of LBSNAA. The following schedule is usually followed at LBSNAA:
#. 05:30 am – Wake up
#. 06 am – Morning begins with 60 minutes of exercise routine or horse riding
#. 07 am to 09 am – Free time for individual morning activities
#. 09:30 am onwards – Academic activities of 8-10 hours begin, which includes lectures, sports, and extracurricular activities.
The whole day at LBSNAA for an IAS candidate is exhausting, yet fruitful. They are learning every day to become the best version of themselves. The training of IAS officers at LBSNAA also includes Bharat Darshan and Foreign Tours. The disciplined and enriched training in LBSNAA for an IAS candidate helps them to work at their best when they are in the field. The schedule of an IAS officer on the field after the training completion begins at 9 am every day.
What Happens for an IAS Candidate?
If one wonders what happens for an IAS candidate after the training completion, then the answer is here. Their job role requires them to perform multiple daily tasks, including surveillance tasks, daily reports, different work and field meetings, and reviewing the development and implementation of the projects. This is just a part of their role, let’s look at the enormous image of an IAS officer’s role.
Career Stages for an IAS Officer
After completing two years of training at LBSNAA, the paths of IAS candidates diverge as it depends on the cadre to which they are allotted. The following are the stages in the career of an IAS officer:
#. Phase Ⅰ Training at LBSNAA
#. District level Training in the allotted cadre
#. Phase Ⅱ Training at LBSNAA, which includes India’s diplomatic mission aboard with a week-long foreign attachment
#. Central Government attachment for three months at the nominal position of Assistant Secretary
#. Posting as SDM/Sub Collector/Joint Magistrate
#. Posting as Municipal Commissioner, DDO/CDO
#. Posting as Collector/DM
#. Posting at State Secretariats at Director/Joint Secretary Level
#. After serving for a few years, during any stage of service, the Deputation to the Central Government can be opted for.
#. Principal/Additional Secretary in the State Secretariat/ Central Secretariat
#. Chief Secretary of a State
#. Cabinet Secretary
These various promotions in the career of an IAS officer are received after they have the required experience. The IAS officers are promoted to district level posts only after gaining 8 to 10 years of experience. The Cabinet Secretary is the esteemed and senior-most post in the Indian Civil Services. It requires an IAS officer to have experience of 30 to 35 years. Rajiv Gauba, who became the Cabinet Secretary, was 60 years old when he joined.
Role of IAS Officers
The IAS officers are handed over various roles depending on the type of duties they are assigned to. They are mainly given the following three types of assignments:
#1. Field
#2. State Secretariat/Public Sector Undertakings
#3. Central Secretariat
Among these roles, the fieldwork is considered to be the most challenging one for the IAS officers. Mentioned below are some core functions of an IAS officer:
#. Policy framing, implementing, and reviewing are the affairs of the Government handled.
#. Various departments and elected representatives are consulted for the above-mentioned functions.
#. Central government’s various funds allocated for different schemes are managed and disbursed.
#. Various schemes and policies of the government are supervised.
#. Has to respond to various emergencies in their jurisdiction, like natural calamities, riots, major accidents, and coordinating relief activities.
The activities and responsibilities of an IAS officer can end by 9 pm, or it can take more time than that. IAS officers can end up working for long beyond their official working hours if there are any emergencies.
Powers withheld by IAS Officers
To aide the IAS officers in their path towards serving the people, with duties they are also given some authority, which is listed below:
#. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure (1973) of the Indian Penal Code: In Sections 107, 108, 109, 110, 133, 144, and 176, all the powers granted to the magistrate to maintain law and order are mentioned.
#. The Tenancy law defines the power of the collector regarding revenue and income.
#. The National Disaster Management Act states the powers given to Chief Secretaries and Magistrates when directing disaster relief and management operations.
#. Arms Act, Drug Licenses Act, Essential Commodities Act, etc., are the acts stating the powers given to an IAS officer to regulate in such situations.
All civil servants are answerable to the state and central legislature. And to not give the IAS officers free rein and absolute power, the service manuals also list the rules to control the performances of IAS officers. These main laws that deal with the powers authorised to IAS officers have been summarised and enlisted in the All India Service Manuals, and the laws are updated from time to time by the Department of Personnel and Training.
Salary and Promotion Pay Scale of IAS Officers
The basic salary of IAS officers on every promotion stage has been mentioned below:
| Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹) |
Years of Experience required | Post | ||
| District Administration |
State Secretariat |
Central Secretariat |
|||
| 10 | 56,100 | 1 to 4 | Sub-Divisional Magistrate | Undersecretary | Assistant Secretary |
| 11 | 67,700 | 5 to 8 | Additional District Magistrate | Deputy Secretary | Undersecretary |
| 12 | 78,800 | 9 to 12 | District Magistrate | Joint Secretary | Deputy Secretary |
| 13 | 1,18,500 | 13 to 16 | District Magistrate | Special Secretary -cum- Director |
Director |
| 14 | 1,44,200 | 16 to 24 | Divisional Commissioner | Secretary -cum- Commissioner |
Joint Secretary |
| 15 | 1,82,200 | 25 to 30 | Divisional Commissioner | Principal Secretary | Additional Secretary |
| 16 | 2,05,400 | 30 to 33 | No Equivalent Rank | Additional Chief Secretary | No Equivalent Rank |
| 17 | 2,25,000 | 34 to 36 | No Equivalent Rank | Chief Secretary | Secretary |
| 18 | 2,50,000 | 37+ years | No Equivalent Rank | No Equivalent Rank | Cabinet Secretary of India |
Conclusion
The government needs capable IAS candidates who can take on such a huge responsibility that makes one supervise the nitty-gritty of the nation. The government depends on such IAS officers to make their administration work adequately. No other job role gives an individual such an opportunity to have a direct and active part in the progress of a nation. To become an IAS officer and contribute to the nation, the first step is to clear the examination. To get the best source for study, join the UPSC Pathshala today, one of the most sought after online education platforms.
