Roles and Duties of an IAS officer

Becoming an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer is the dream of many candidates across the country. Out of the 24 respectful civil services, the most popular ones include the IAS post, and each year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the IAS exam with a clear vision to join civil service in the Government of India. The role and responsibilities of IAS officers include maintaining administration work under the Indian government, ensuring law and order, supervising government affairs, maintain overall expenditure, etc.

Though the IAS duties and responsibilities include numerous challenges, still the respect and IAS officer power overshadow all other hurdles. For the year 2021, the IAS Exam will be held on October 10, 2021, and admit card has been released. Check official notification for IAS exam date 2021. Candidates preparing for the IAS Exam can refer to the previous year papers.

IAS Officer: Daily Life at LBSNAA

Candidates post-qualifying the UPSC Civil Services Exam get the perks as an IAS officer by joining the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) Mussorie, Uttrakhand. The schedule which all the IAS officers are expected to follow at LBSNAA include:

Officer trainees get some free time before and after dinner to socialize with others and prepare for the next day. Many outdoor activities like trekking to nearby rural areas, etc. are included as a part of the training so that trainees can understand the lifestyle of rural India.

Other details related to IAS training are provided below:

Foundation Course: Candidates shortlisted for Grade A posts like IAS, IPS, and IFS join a 3-month-foundation course at LBSNAA.

Phase 1: Beginning with a 15-week training program at LBSNAA, Phase 1 training includes Bharat Darshan for IAS officers. The academic module includes Policymaking, project management, national security, land management, soft skills, e-gov, and much more.

Bharat Darshan: During the phase 1 training, the IAS probationers get divided into smaller groups and are taken on a tour of India. Bharat Darshan is a part of the training program and gives trainees a chance to experience the rich cultural diversity and heritage of the country.

District Training: It is a year-long training at the district level where the officers get information related to the administrative setup.

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Phase 2: Phase 2 begins with sharing experiences of the Phase 1 training program with other IAS trainees. Discussions related to different developmental challenges and issues faced by society and how to resolve them take place. Special sessions are also conducted by renowned subject matter experts and they share their learning exercises.

Assistant Secretaryship: Post the successful completion of the induction training session, the officers join their respective deputation. They work under the joint secretary in the ministries for some time.

Once trainees become IAS officers, their schedule changes as per the posts allotted to them. Any normal day for an officer posted in the field starts in the morning at around 9 am and the task allotted to IAS officers include going through different daily reports, supervising numerous tasks within the department or district, visiting different areas to look at developmental activities, conducting meetings, etc. These activities mostly end by about 9 pm.

But at the time of natural disasters, riots, etc. IAS officers might work extra and coordinate with the entire relief teams, which sometimes gets extended beyond the regular duty hours.

IAS Officer Life: Roles and Duties of IAS officer

IAS officers’ functional roles differ based on the kinds of assignments allotted to them. Three kinds of assignments are given to them:

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

Work of IAS Officer: Field Assignments

As compared to other tasks, the field assignments are considered the most difficult roles. Some of the IAS roles and responsibilities related to field assignments include:

• Managing affairs of the government, including framing, implementing and reviewing policies.
• Consulting with different departments and elected representatives for all various functions.
• Managing and disbursing various funds of the central government for different schemes.
• Supervising the implementation of different schemes and policies of the government.
• Providing immediate assistance during emergencies like natural disasters, major accidents, and riots.

The first posting allotted to the IAS officers is mainly in the field. Mostly the field assignments end at the district level for most IAS officers. Many of the IAS officers get posting within the state government and they work in the State Secretariat.

IAS Designations during Field Posting

Important IAS Designations assigned at the time of Field Posting include:

• Chairman Board of Revenue
• Member Board of Revenue
• Divisional Commissioner
• District Collector/District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner
• SDO/SDM/Joint Collector/ Chief Development Officer

IAS Officer: State Secretariat Assignments

During the State Secretariat postings, IAS officers are expected to use their experience and expertise gained in the field and provide guidance to elected representatives to formulate policies. Also, many IAS officers get posted to PSU cadres on deputation and get a chance to be a part of the higher management of different PSUs like power stations, industrial units, among others.

IAS Officer Life: Central Secretariat Assignments

IAS officers getting secretarial level postings at the level of the Central government look after policy reviews, formulation, and implementation for different ministries. Many IAS officers are also deputed to international bodies such as the United Nations. Also, there are certain provisions to transfer IAS officers to private organizations for a limited time.

IAS Designations: At Central or State Government Posting

Important IAS Designations allotted to the officers at the time of central and government posting are mentioned below:

• Deputy Secretary /Under Secretary for the Indian Government.
• Director in Government of India
• Joint Secretary in the Indian Government/ Secretary in State Government.
• Additional Secretary to the Indian Government/ Principal Secretary in State Government.
• Secretary to the Indian Government/ Chief Secretary.
• Cabinet Secretary

IAS Officer: Other Specific Roles

Some other responsibilities of IAS officers that they are supposed to perform are mentioned below:

Sub-Divisional Functions: As a Sub Divisional Magistrate, IAS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order and look after the developmental and administrative activities.

District-Level Functions: While doing work as District Level Magistrate, IAS officers are supposed to perform the similar functions of an SDM. The field assignments mostly get finished at the district level and many IAS officers get transferred to different positions within the state.

Public Sector Undertakings: Many IAS officers get posted to PSU cadres on the committee.

IAS Officer Power/Authority

• The IAS officers get the entire authority, capability, and opportunity to assist the needy and poor section of society.
• They are responsible for the recovery of income, and the unhindered functioning of tax courts.
• They work as an executive magistrate.
• They work as a Head of Development (CDO) / District Development Commissioner.
• IAS officers supervise the implementation of the state and central government policies.
• IAS officers visit different places to observe new policy implementation.
• They are also responsible for the management of the expenditure of public funds as per the policies of financial ownership.
• When it is about policy-making and decision-making, IAS officers occupy different positions at various levels, such as undersecretary, etc.
• IAS officers stay committed to, contribute and give a definitive form to various policies.

Post of IAS Officer: Career Path

The career path all IAS officers take is mentioned below. The career paths include probation, promotion, salary increments, etc.

• Phase I Training is provided at LBSNAA. Training at the district level will be provided in the allotted cadre.
• Phase II Training at LBSNAA includes a one-week foreign attachment with one of the country’s diplomatic missions abroad.
• Central Government attachment at the nominal position of an Assistant Secretary for three months.
• IAS officers get posted as SDM/Joint Magistrate/Sub Collector.
• Posting as Municipal Commissioner, DDO/CDO
• Posting as DM/Collector
• The officers get posting at State Secretariats at Director/Joint Secretary level.
• Deputation to the Central Government can be selected by IAS officers during any stage of service post serving for some years.
• Principal/Additional Secretary in the State Secretariat/Central Secretariat
• Chief Secretary of a state
• Cabinet Secretary
• The highest position an IAS officer can acquire is of the Cabinet Secretary of India.

IAS Salary: More Facilities Availed by Civil Services Officer

After the 7th Central Pay Commission, the minimum pay of IAS officers is INR 56,100. Moreover, at present, the salary of a cabinet secretary is INR 2.5 lakh per month. In addition to attractive IAS Salary, some of the other facilities enjoyed by the civil servants include:

• Government accommodation with subsidy facility.
• Security and other staff based on the situation and need.
• IAS officers get reimbursement of mobile, telephone, and internet charges.
• Household assistance like cooks, gardeners, etc. are provided
• IAS officers don’t have to pay any charges while on duty for staying in government hotels or bungalows.
• IAS officers get government transport facilities.
• Monthly pension facility after retirement.

Being an IAS officer is surely a great achievement in one’s life-giving officers a chance to manage the everyday activities of the government. From formulating new policies to managing specific department tasks, IAS officers are accountable for numerous tasks and responsibilities. To prepare for the upcoming IAS 2021 examination, candidates must design a study plan and follow the best IAS preparation tips to improve their performance in the exam. Check the latest exam-related updates and news here.

IAS Roles and Duties: FAQs