Life of an IAS Officer

Growing up in Indian families, we all have witnessed the social charm of an IAS officer. Indian Administrative is a tantalizing career option about which all of us have once contemplated. But only a few are able to take the leap that lands them to the job of IAS Officer. With pride and luxuries come various responsibilities that fall under the job profile of IAS Officers. Often we witness the toppers of this examination in interviews, discussing their success mantra and exam strategies. But have you wondered about how is the life of an IAS officer? It definitely is one roller coaster ride comprising of a multitude of duties towards the folks of the country. Are you an IAS aspirant? We are sure that you must have gone through a lot of inspirational videos elucidating how to become one, but here is a blog to present you with Roles, Powers, and Life after becoming an IAS officer. 

Power of an IAS Officer  

With an esteemed post comes great powers. As soon as one gets appointed, they will be provided with a great set of powers which you can use wisely according to the situation. IAS officers are entitled to the following powers by Indian constitutional law:

• The powers of a collector regarding the revenue are defined by the Tenancy Laws
• Code of Criminal Procedure (1973): under sections 107,108, 109,110,133, 144 and 176 describe the powers regarding maintaining the law and order given to the magistrate
• The National Disaster Management Act explains the power of Magistrates and Chief Secretaries about the disaster relief operations
• Drugs License Act, Essential Commodities Act, Arms Act etc elucidates the officers’ power to enforce regulations in various situations

The above-mentioned laws are a crucial part of the life of an IAS officer as they would be facing situations that demand certain powers. Although the way to practice the aforementioned laws can vary from one case to another which is explained by 300 laws. If you want to gain in-depth knowledge regarding them, you can look for them on the All India Service Manuals issued by the Department of Personnel and Training. 

Must Read: IAS Interview Guide 2022 With Tips & Tricks

Roles and Responsibilities

Initially, the selected candidates have to undergo training for a period of 2 years under the Indian Government. Later on, they get placed in the chosen carders. After getting placed, the IAS officers become eligible to exercise the power and are officially handed over with the roles and responsibilities. Usually, the functional roles depend on the type of assignments or tasks they get. Broadly the assignments given are covered under three categories such as: 

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

Completing the assignments is considered to be one of the toughest challenges that the IAS officers have to fulfill. Now let us take a look at the important functions of an IAS officer:

• Managing the important affairs of the government along with implementing, framing and reviewing various policies 
• Handling and bifurcating the public funds allocated for various different schemes
• Managing the selection of candidates and consulting the department regarding it
• Quickly responding to the natural disasters, major accidents or riots which in the jurisdiction area 
• Analysing and supervising the implementation of various policies of the government

Also Read: How to Become an IRS Officer?

After the training period, usually, the first placement of a UPSC officer is a field assignment. Here are roles through which you can take a sneak peek into the life of an IAS officer:

• Sub Divisional Functions: Candidates will be recruited as a Sub Divisional Magistrate managing the law and order of the state. Along with overseeing the administrative and developmental activities
• District Level Functions: As a Collector, District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner, you will perform the same functions as that of SDM 

Most IAS officials’ field assignments finish at the district level. Many of them go on to work for the State Secretariat, which is part of the state government.

• State Secretariat Assignments: State Secretariat posts entail leveraging field knowledge and expertise to advise elected officials on policy formulation and decision-making in government procedures.
• Public Sector Undertakings: Many officials are deputed to PSU cadres and become part of the upper management of various PSUs, such as power plants, industrial units, and so on.
• Secretarial Level Positions in the Central Government: Secretarial level postings in the Central government deal with policy evaluation, formulation, and implementation for several ministries.

Also Read: IAS Eligibility

IAS Officer Career

The most common career path for IAS officers is as follows. Depending on the assigned cadre, the career pathways split after probation.

• Phase I Training at LBSNAA
• Training at the district level in the allotted cadre
• Phase II Training at LBSNAA which includes a week-long foreign attachment with one of India’s diplomatic missions abroad
• Central Government attachment at the nominal position of an Assistant Secretary for three months
• Posting as SDM/Joint Magistrate/Sub Collector
• Posting as Municipal Commissioner, DDO/CDO
• Posting as DM/Collector
• Posting at State Secretariats at Director/Joint Secretary level.
• Deputation to the Central Government can be opted for during any stage of service after serving for a few years.
• Principal/Additional Secretary in the State Secretariat/Central Secretariat
• Chief Secretary of a state
• Cabinet Secretary

The Cabinet Secretary of India is the highest rank that an IAS official can aspire to. The highest position in the state bureaucracy is the Chief Secretary of State.

Must Read: IAS Books

IAS Officer Salary

For newly admitted IAS officers, the 7th Central Wage Commission set a starting pay of Rs 56100. IAS salary is divided into 18 tiers, with the Cabinet Secretary of the Union receiving the highest pay of Rs. 250000.

Perks of IAS Officer Lifestyle

• Government housing that is subsidized. District-level postings in India have the best house facilities of any government position.
• Depending on the requirement, household help such as cooks and gardeners are provided.
• Security coverage is available depending on the requirement.
• The majority of district and state-level postings include government transportation. IAS officers in central deputies have fewer car options, and only officers above a particular rank are eligible for government vehicles.
• Charges for mobile phones, the internet, and telephones are reimbursed.
• During service, you are entitled to free accommodation at government rest houses and bungalows.
• After retirement, IAS officers are entitled to a monthly pension based on their rank and years of service.

Daily Routine of an IAS Officer

Why not get into the shoes of an IAS officer and get a better idea about how the Life of an IAS officer revolves. 

Successful IAS Officers

• Armstrong Pame
• Aruna Sundararajan
• Anshul Mishra
• Dr. Samit Sharma
• Smitha Sabharwal
• Krishna Gopal Tiwari
• U. Sagayam
• Ashok Khemka
• IAS Hari Chandana Dasari
• Vinod Rai
• Raj Yadav
• Awanish Sharan
• Jitendra Kumar Soni
• Umakant Umrao

If you imagine yourself to be an IAS officer and want to have an IAS officer lifestyle, by now you would be aware of the life of an IAS officer. The aforementioned roles, responsibilities, and tasks would be an essential part of IAS Officer life.

Must Read: Civil Service Exam

FAQs

Thus, we hope that this blog elucidating life on IAS officers has equipped you with the insights. If you want to pursue your career in social work, a degree in this domain will help you acquire all the required exposure. Contact us at Leverage Edu and our experts here will help you get admission to leading universities across the globe.