Are you aspiring to become an IAS officer? Do you know what an IAS officer does? Or the power of an IAS officer? Read this article till the end to know all about an IAS officer.

What does an IAS Officer do?

An IAS officer has lots of responsibilities with him. This responsibility varies with his or her level in their career. These different levels are:

Sub-Division Level

Sub-Division level is allotted to the officers who are freshers. At this level, the officers have to look after the law and order along with the general administration as well as work related to the development allotted by the local jurisdiction.

District Level

At the District level, the IAS officers are allotted the post of District Magistrate or District Collector or as a Deputy Commissioner.

The responsibilities remain the same as that of the Sub-Division level which is to look after the law and order along with the general administration as well as work related to the development allotted by the local jurisdiction.

State-Level

After the promotion of the IAS officers from the post of District Magistrate or District Collector, they are given the work of state-level administration. At this level, they can be posted as a bureaucrat in the state secretariat or head of departments. This where they have to use their field experience for the formation of policies and assist the executives in policy-related decisions.

Public Sector Undertaking

Nowadays many IAS officers are posted at high administrative positions in government-owned Public Sector Undertaking.

Central Level

Central Level posting is the topmost post where an IAS officer can be promoted. At this level, the IAS officers can serve as Cabinet Secretary, Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary, and Secretary under different departments or ministries of the central government.

The role of an IAS Officer is to prepare policies for different ministries of the central government like finance, defence and commerce etc.

Power of an IAS Officer

The powers and responsibilities of an IAS officer are interrelated. The powers of an IAS are listed below:

  • Managing government affairs and infrastructure
  • To implement and supervise the process of establishment of government policies
  • To give the 1st order in case of any disaster (natural/ manmade) and for managing the disaster.
  • Distribution and allocation of funds required to implement the government policies as well as maintaining the government infrastructure.
  •   To make sure there are no irregularities of funds.

These powers of an IAS Officer are listed in the Code of Criminal Procedure (1973) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). National Disaster Management ACT lists out the powers of an IAS office for directing the relief operations.

Along with this Arms Act, Durg License Act, Essential Commodities Act also have given the power to IAS officers in different situations.

Salary of an IAS Officer

The salary for a fresher IAS officer is 56,100 INR and can reach up to 2,50,000 INR for a cabinet secretary. This the base salary along in addition to the base salary there are several  allowances. These allowances are Travelling allowance (TA), Dearness Allowance (DA), and House Rent Allowance (HRA). The base is different at different levels. This salary structure is in accordance with the 7th Pay Commission.

Level Basic Pay Year of Service Rank
10 56,100/- 1-4 ASP/SDM/ Asst. Commissioner
11 67,700/ 5-8 ADM/Deputy Secretary/ Undersecretary
12 78,800/-  

9-12

DM/ Joint Secretary/ Deputy Secretary
13 1,18,500/  

13-16

DM/ Special Secretary cum Director/ Director
14  

1,44,200/

16-24 Divisional Commissioner/ Secretary Cum Commissioner/ Joint Secretary
15 1,82,200/-  

25-30

Divisional Commissioner/ Principal Secretary/ Additional Secretary
16 2,05,400/- 30-33 Additional Chief Secretary
17 2,25,000/- 34-36 Chief Secretary
18 2,50,000/- 37+ years Cabinet Secretary of India

There are also several perks apart from base salary and allowances.

Also Read: IAS Saumya Pandey Biography: Inspiring Journey of UPSC Topper

Perks of an IAS Officer

The perks are:

  • Health care services
  • Residence
  • Transportation
  • Gratuity
  • Study leaves
  • PF

There many more perks. These are just the major ones.

How to Prepare for IAS UPSC Exam?

  • Firstly by heart the syllabus. Write it down on a piece of paper and stick it where you sit for studying.
  • Make a habit of reading the newspaper daily. Start clearing your basics by studying NCERT.
  • After you are done reading NCERT start referring to standard books for History,  Geography etc.
  • Keep revising whatever you have studied consistently to retain it in your memory.
  • Start preparing for  UPSC prelims three-four before the exam, till then study for Mains. Due overall syllabus for Mains and Prelims.
  • Keep practising descriptive answers for Mains and keep giving mocks tests regularly.
  • After Prelims don’t wait for the results just start your Mains preparation from the next day.

Also Read: When and How to Start Preparing for IAS Exams?

Conclusion

There are several benefits of being an IAS officer. There are many powers and responsibilities which come on top of the benefits. This is why the IAS Officers’ job is regarded as one of the prestigious and respectable jobs in our society. But your motivation for becoming an IAS Officer shouldn’t be the materialistic attractions.  Remember the famous quote from the movie Spider-Man:” With great powers comes great responsibility”  This is accurate for IAS offices.

An IAS Officer is a problem solver. His job is to make the life of the people easy and serve the nation. Be clear with why you want to be Officer. Only the internal motivation lasts and materialistic fades away with time. And you will quit your  UPSC exam preparation or will be bored soon.

All the best for your preparations!

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Power of an IAS Officer: What does an IAS Officer Do? Check-out Everything in Detail
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Power of an IAS Officer: What does an IAS Officer Do? Check-out Everything in Detail
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Preparing for the UPSC exam? Want to know what an IAS Officer does? What is the power of an IAS Officer? Click here to know information related to an IAS Officer
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