(Info) UPSC Exam : Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

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 the issue.

Service Hierarchy