The Indian Administrative Services is the epitome of administration in the Government of India. IAS officers hold an important and crucial position within the Union Government, the States, and public sector undertakings. The role of IAS Officers is critical to maintaining administration in our country. This is why becoming an IAS Officer stays as the most sought-after and respectable profession in India.

Getting into Indian Civil Services and becoming an IAS Official is not at all easy. A lot of competition is involved in the process, and only a person with determination can crack the civil services exam. Life as an IAS Officer is one filled with challenges and difficulties, and the responsibilities are immense. The article will give you an idea of the different responsibilities and duties of IAS officers in detail.

Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

Before learning about the different duties and functions of IAS, let us give you an idea about the Indian Administrative Services. IAS or Indian Administrative Service is the highest position among the different fragments of All India Administrative Services. The other essential fragments are The Indian Forest Services or IFS, The Indian Revenue Service or IRS, and the Indian Police Service or IPS.

Indian Administrative Service is one of the premier services of the Government of India. Becoming an IAS Officer is not at all an easy task. A person has to crack one of the most demanding competitive exams in our nation to acquire this prestigious position. IAS is one of the most sought out positions among the aspirants. The main reason for its popularity is the monetary benefits and the power this position can provide. However, many forget that being in the position is more complex than cracking the civil services.

Once you acquire the position as an IAS officer, either the States or the Union Government can employ you. On getting promotions to higher levels of the Super Time Scale or the Apex Scale, IAS officers will become eligible to head various departments followed by entire Ministries of the Government of India and the States.

The responsibility of representing the Indian Government at bilateral or multilateral conferences and discussions falls to IAS Officers. Along with this, IAS Officers also work at Inter-governmental organizations like the World Bank and United Nations. These officials also have to play a significant role in the administration concerning elections at the state and national level.

Functions of an IAS Officer

An IAS Officer is responsible for maintaining the law and order, revenue administration, and general administration at the highest level. Following are the different functions of an IAS officer.

Government Affairs

Upon joining as an IAS Officer, you will be joining as a sub-divisional magistrate at the sub-divisional level. IAS Officers are responsible for a majority of government affairs. They work in the areas of implementation of policies under the consultation of the ministers of various departments.

Implementation of policies and ensuring their functioning is the work of IAS officers. IAS Officers are bound to answer the state legislatures and parliaments in case of any irregularities in your area. They are responsible for maintaining the overall expenditures as well.

Power

Once in the sub-divisional magistrate position, you will get the power to manage all your area of control's developmental work. As an IAS officer, you can ensure that law and order are maintained under your jurisdiction at all times. Many more responsibilities will come to your hand after getting promotion from sub-divisional magistrate to the district magistrate.

A district magistrate will have the power to conduct higher development programs for the area under his/her jurisdiction. IAS officers also serve at the post of State Secretary or as the head of a Public Sector Unit. An IAS Officer posted at the central level will have the power to become Cabinet Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and the Undersecretary. IAS Officers can formulate policies, but the final decisions about their implementation are dependent on the concerned minister they are working under.

Authority

Once you become an IAS officer, you will have the full authority and power to help the poor and needy by formulating ideas that can benefit them. This is the most significant opportunity that you can ask for, concerned with such a good cause. IAS officials are responsible for the recovery of income and the proper functioning of tax courts.

IAS officials can be promoted to being executive magistrates, which gives them a lot more authority. It is IAS officers that function as the Head of Development or the District Development Commissioner. The foremost authority of IAS Officers is that it is their responsibility to supervise the implementation of state and government policies, according to their position.

They are bound to travel to various places to ensure strict and perfect execution of policies. The responsibility for the management of the expenditure of public funds as per the rules of financial ownership lies in IAS officers' hands. IAS officers will have to hold several positions like Undersecretary, etc., when it comes to policymaking and decision making. IAS Officers should have total commitment to work and ensure a definitive form to various policies.

Conclusion

Being an IAS officer can be a tiring journey, but it is worth it when considering the power and duties one can acquire by being an IAS officer. In general, an IAS Officer's primary responsibility and obligation are to manage the Government's everyday activities.

This includes the development and implementation of several policies in consultation with the minister they are working under. The influence of an IAS officer is enormous in society. His/her decisions can influence the entire working of society.

Thus, a person pursuing the dream of becoming an IAS Officer should not only seek money and power it helps you gain but also be a responsible citizen of the nation who values the well-being of the society in units and the nation as a whole. If you are dreaming to become IAS and serve your country then start your preparation for UPSC with right guidance and lot of practise. You can practise with more than 25000+ questions from urExam. Take the first step toward your dream today!