Career as an IAS Officer

When you studied history, did our revolutionary figures serve as an example to you? 

Are there components of our system that you would like to change? Then you can have all of those skills in just one position: an IAS officer

IAS is a unique career choice due to the experience and challenges it offers, as well as the potential to significantly impact the lives of millions of Indians.

Read this blog to know everything about a career as an IAS Officer, salary, different fields, and much more. 

What does an IAS officer do?

• An IAS officer’s work responsibilities vary depending on the type of assignment he or she is given. They are given three kinds of assignments. It includes field, state secretariat/public sector, and central secretariat tasks. 
• It includes handling government affairs, which includes drafting, framing, implementing, and reviewing policies. 
• An IAS officer is in charge of overseeing the implementation of government programs and policies. 
• An IAS officer is in charge of responding to natural disasters, riots, and major accidents within their jurisdiction. He or she is in charge of coordinating relief efforts.
• An IAS officer is in charge of maintaining law and order. He or she is in charge of coordinating and providing the necessary assistance to restore law and order and assist individuals affected by natural disasters or riots.
• An IAS officer is in charge of the people who work for him. He or she is in charge of preparing reports based on the evaluation of their services.

Positions and titles held by IAS officers throughout their careers

Position in the Government of India

• Cabinet Secretary
• Secretary
• Additional Secretary
• Joint Secretary
• Director
• Deputy Secretary
• Under Secretary
• Assistant Secretary

Position in State Governments

• Chief Secretary
• Principal Secretary
• Secretary-cum-commissioner
• Joint Secretary
• Deputy Secretary
• Under Secretary

Position in Feild Postings

• Diviosnal Commissioner
• District Magistrate
• Additional District Magistrate
• Sub-District Magistatre

Career Path in Indian Administrative Services

Path 1: You must apply for a bachelor’s degree in any subject that will help you excel at it. However, history and politics are important subjects for UPSC, and a degree in these subjects will help you gain a better understanding in order to pass the exam.

Read this detailed blog to know how to become an IAS Officer.

Salary of an IAS at different stages of career

Basic Pay (Rs.)	Pay Level (Years of Service)	Posts
56100	10 (1-4 years)	– Sub-divisional Magistrate in District Administration– Undersecretary in State Secretariat– Assistant Secretary in Central Secretariat
67,700	11 (5-8 years)	– Additional District Magistrate in District Administration– Deputy Secretary in State Secretariat– Under-Secretary in Central Secretariat
78,800	12 (9-12 year)	– District Magistrate in District Administration– Joint Secretary in State Secretariat– Deputy Secretary in Central Secretariat
1,18,500	13 (13-16 years)	– District Magistrate in District Administration– Special Secretary-cum-Director in State Secretariat– Director in Central Secretariat
1,44,200	14 (16-24 years)	– Divisional Commissioner in District Administration– Secretary-cum-Commissioner in State Secretariat– Joint Secretary in Central Secretariat
1,82,200	15 (25-30 years)	– Divisional Commissioner in District Administration– Principal Secretary in State Secretariat– Additional Secretary in Central Secretariat
2,05,400	16 (30-33 years)	– Additional Chief Secretary in State Secretariat
2,25,000	17 (34-36 years)	– Chief Secretary in State Secretariat– Secretary in Central Secretariat
2,50,000	18 (37+ years)	– Cabinet Secretary of India

Skills required to become an IAS

1. Leadership
   The IAS officer serves as the government’s representative wherever it is held. While serving in the government, he must demonstrate exceptional leadership abilities. He should be able to lead his team toward the goal of Indian development and improvement. This is only possible with strong leadership.

2. Administrative Ability
   Overseeing the day-to-day administration of the jurisdiction is a major responsibility assigned by the government to an IAS officer. An IAS officer must be a skilled administrator in order to fulfill this responsibility and carry out all administrative tasks with everyone.

3. Decision-Making Ability
   On numerous occasions, the IAS officer finds himself in a delicate situation requiring quick decisions. For this, he must be able to think clearly and rationally even under adverse conditions, as well as consider all available options and the consequences of each. Therefore, the decision-making capacity of the IAS officer should be excellent.

4. Knowledge
   The most valuable resource on the planet is knowledge. It is absolutely necessary for an IAS officer to be well-versed in all subjects relevant to his field of work. Being knowledgeable will not only assist him in the effective implementation of government policies, but it will also assist him in closing gaps in the government machinery in order to understand and solve any administrative problem.

5. Communication Skills
   An IAS officer must have strong communication skills in order to be a competent administrator. He could best express himself through speaking and writing. He will be able to give direct instructions to his subordinates, eliminating the possibility of misunderstanding or miscommunication. Not only that, but IAS officers must occasionally meet with specific people in high positions. Communication skills are also useful in these situations.

Try Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA program and improve your personality to stand out in the skills you enjoy if you want to develop such extraordinary skills and stand out from the crowd.

Is IAS a good career option?

1. Respect and authority: Students want to work in a field where they will be respected and have complete control over their lives. The position of an IAS officer is held in high regard by the entire nation, and this regard continues to grow. This is one of the primary reasons why IAS is a commendable career path.

2. Job Security: Once you have passed your exams and been appointed as an IAS officer, you cannot be fired unless there is an extreme emergency. Many IAS officers are said to retire at the age of 60, with the option of extending their service if necessary.

3. Great Pay: IAS officers are well compensated, and there are additional medical benefits and other perks that make this a lucrative job.

4. Contribution to Society: If you want to make a difference in the world, then this is the career for you. Being an IAS officer gives you enormous power to create and implement policies for the organization. You can effectively contribute to policymaking while also taking action against unwanted and evil activities in the country.

Sectors hiring IAS officers

The functional roles of IAS officers are determined by the type of assignment they receive. They are given three types of assignments:

• Field
• State Secretariat/Public Sector Undertakings
• Central Secretariat

Qualification to become an IAS Officer

Degrees in India

You must apply for a bachelor’s degree in any subject that will help you excel at it. However, history and politics are important subjects for UPSC, and a degree in these subjects will help you gain a better understanding in order to pass the exam.

Courses you can consider for complete undergraduate:

All the programs mentioned below are of 3 years duration. 

• BA in Political Science 
• BA/BSc in Agriculture
• BA in Philosophy 
• BA in Sociology
• BA/BSc in Economics
• BSc in Finance
• BA in Geography 
• BA in History
• BA in Psychology 
  
  Boost your chances of admissions with a student portfolio laden with real industry projects with brands like Samsonite, Groww, and more. Try the JuniorMBA Chief Finance officer program!

References

Famous personality

• Armstong Pame
• Aruna Sundararajan
• Anshul Mishra
• Samit Sharma
• Smitha Sabharwal

Books

• India after Gandhi
• India’s struggle for independence
• The wonder that was India
• March of the Indian Economy

To become an IAS officer, you must have a high level of commitment, mental fortitude, time, and energy. Civil service is one of the most prominent positions in the country, commanding enormous respect and prestige. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives and bring pride to your family, then becoming an IAS officer is your calling. Best of luck with your UPSC preparations.

Never, ever forget!

Persistence is the key to achieving your goal.

FAQs about the career as an IAS Officer