Nature and Role of All India Services
Nature and Role of All India Services : All India Services (AIS) comprises India’s three prestigious civil services, the Indian Administration Service (IAS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and the Indian Police Service (IPS). The All India Service has a unique feature, the civil servants are appointed by the central government but are placed under various state governments.
The civil servants are answerable to both the central government and the respective state government they are appointed under. This shows that the central government has more power than the state government. The civil servants are bound by the All India Services rules and regulations relating to matters like pay, allowance, promotion, etc.
The Union Public Service Commission holds the examination for All India Services. Candidates have to pass the exam and the interview rounds to become an IAS, IPS, or IFS. The examination is one of the world’s toughest examinations. Lakhs of people every year prepare for the examinations.
A very small percentage of these people are selected at the end. The All India Services are a part of the permanent executive. The central government is the Cadre Controlling Authority for all three All India Services. The main function of the All India Services is to assist in the recruitment of State Services Officers into All India Services.
Distinguishing All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) from Central Services (IRS, IFS, IDAS)
History of All India Services
The All India Services was established during British colonial rule. The civil services in India during the British colonial era were classified as covenanted and non-covenanted services based on the pay scale, nature of the job, and appointing authority. In 1887, the Aitchison Commission recommended reorganization of the civil services.
So the services were divided into three groups- Imperial services, Provincial Services, and Subordinate Services. After the passing of the Indian Act 1919, the Imperial Services headed by the Secretary of State was further split into two- All India Services, and Central Services.
The All India Services Act, 1951 authorizes the central government to make, with consultation with state governments, rules, and procedures for recruitment and appointment of individuals to All India Services. The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 specifies the code of conduct for civil servants.
Functions of All India Services
The main function of All India Services is to facilitate the process of recruitment. They do so by assisting the government in the recruitment of State Services Officers into All India Services. Other functions include the promotion of officers. Helping in policy matters relating to All India Services.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The Indian Administrative Services is considered very prestigious among the UPSC. Even though UPSC conducts exams for 24 different civil services, a large number of people appear for Indian Administrative Services. The exam is so popular that UPSC is sometimes referred to as the IAS exam.
The Indian Administrative Service was called the Indian Civil Service during the British colonial era. Candidates selected under Indian Administrative Service are mainly responsible for managing government affairs. The Cadre Controlling Authority of IAS is the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.
Indian Police Service (IPS)
During the British colonial era, superior police officers belonged to the Indian (Imperial) Police and were appointed by the Secretary of State. The first open competition into the Imperial Police was conducted in England, 1893. Entry in Imperial Police was open to Indians only after 1920.
The Imperial Police examinations were conducted both in India and England. After independence, the Imperial Police was known as the Indian Police Service. The Cadre Controlling Authority of IPS is the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Indian Forest Service (IFS)
India is one of the earliest countries to have scientific forest management. The British India Government established the Imperial Forest Department in 1864. While the Imperial Forest Service was established in 1867. The selected candidates were trained in France and Germany from 1867 to 1885.
Later on from 1885 to 1995, the candidates were trained at Coopers Hill, London. In 1920 it was decided that the recruitments should take place in both India and England. After independence, under the All India Service Act,1951, the Indian Forest Service was created.
Unlike the IAS and IPS, the IFS recruits are tested with combined civil services exams and other stages exams are held separately. The Cadre Controlling Authority of IFS is the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
Some of the content on this site is truly remarkable and should be bookmarked for future reference. I am curious as to how much effort you put into creating such an outstanding and informative website.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.