Nature of Work
Responsibilities vary with the seniority of the civil servant. Junior officers begin with probation and move up in the hierarchy. At the district level the responsibilities are concerned with district matters as well as all developmental affairs while at the divisional level the responsibilities focus on law and order also. Policy framing is carried on at the central level.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
All India Services are controlled by the Central Government. Selected candidates are appointed to different state cadres and as and when required they also move to Central Government jobs on deputation.
IAS Officers are trained to handle government affairs. This being the main responsibility, every civil servant is assigned to a particular office which deals with policy matters pertaining to that area. The policy matters are framed, modified, interpreted in this office under the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer in consultation with the Minister. The implementation of policies is also done on the advice of the Officer. Cabinet Secretary stands at the top of the government machinery involved in Policy making followed by Secretary/Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Under Secretary and Junior Scale Officers in that order. These appointments are filled by civil servants according to seniority in the Civil Services. In the process of decision making, a number of officers give their views to the Minister who weighs the matter and makes a decision considering the issue involved.
The implementation process involves supervision and touring. The allocation of enormous funds to and by the field officers calls for supervision and the officials concerned have to reply to queries made in the Parliament for which they must remain well informed.
The civil servant has also to represent the Government in another country or in International forums. At the level of Deputy Secretary, he is even authorized to sign agreements on behalf of the Government.
Powers and jurisdiction of the civil servant in the State
A civil servant begins his career in the state with 2 years in probation. This period is spent at training schools, Secretariat, field offices or in a District Magistrate’s office. He is given the position of Sub-Magistrate and has to look after the law and order and general administration including developmental work in the area under his charge. After the probation, the officer is put in the senior scale. Then he may function as District Magistrate, Managing Director of a Public Enterprise or Director of a Department. Senior Scale comprises the Junior Administrative Grade and the Selection Grade. Selection Grade is given on promotion and officers are then assigned as Secretaries to the State Government. The next promotion within the State is that of a Chief Secretary. This promotion also entitles them to the Super Time Scale.
Each State has many Secretaries and only one Chief Secretary. Some appointments of Secretaries are considered more prestigious than others, e.g., the Finance Secretary, Planning Secretary and hence they enjoy the salary of an Additional Chief Secretary and are also known as Principal Secretary. Chief Secretary in the State is the top ranking civil servant.
In the District, the Senior most person is the Collector or Deputy Commissioner or District Magistrate. The DM/Collector/DC handle the affairs of the District including development functions. He necessarily tours all rural sectors inspecting specific projects, disputed sites and looks into the problems of people on the spot also.
At the divisional level, the Divisional Commissioner is in charge of his division. His role is to oversee law and order and general administration and developmental work. Appeals against the Divisional Commissioner are heard by the Chairman of the Board of Revenue.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
This cadre maintains the diplomatic relations with foreign countries. IFS is an All India Service. Probationers are attached to the Ministry of External Affairs to a particular desk, e.g., U.K., U.S.A., Italy, Spain, Pakistan, etc. The probationer is expected to learn the language of that country and spend most of his time in the same country. During the second year of probation, they are sent to the country for which they are groomed. They are posted as Third Secretaries in the Indian Embassy of that country.
They are promoted to the rank of Second Secretary in the next 2 years. IFS officers return on a home posting for 2 years before getting another foreign assignment. During this time they are generally working in the Ministry of External Affairs. They look after relations with a group of countries or are placed in the Indian Council of Cultural Relations or the Passport office or in another similar office. An IFS officer on reaching the senior scale is assigned the duties as First Secretary when the job is to develop international understanding, particularly working in backward country capitals.
On reaching Selection Grade the IFS officers go as Ambassadors to comparatively medium sized countries or as Ministers in larger embassies. The next promotion is to the post of Secretary, which normally is an assignment to the post of Ambassador in a big country. However, in practice this position is also assigned to some retired politicians, Defence Chiefs or prominent public men.
IFS officers get attractive perks on postings abroad, e.g., free furnished house, education, outfit and liberal medical allowances etc.
Indian Police Service (IPS)
The Indian Police Services are responsible for internal security, public safety and law and order.
It has various departments under the charge of IPS officer viz. the crime branch, the investigation department (CID), Home guards and Traffic Police.
The IPS officer takes charge as an Assistant Superintendent of Police of a Sub-division after probation of 2 years. The tenure of this post is normally 2 years. The next appointment is as Superintendent of Police and then as DIG. They are in charge of law and order along with the IAS officer who is appointed as DM at the district level.
IPS officers work with the Intelligence Bureau, Home guards which has been discussed in separate chapters. IPS officers also get placed in the Cabinet Secretariat or the other Protective Services such as the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Central Industrial Security Force, etc.
The Inspector General of Police is the head of the entire police force of the State. The Director General is at the head of certain specialised police force like Border Security Force etc.
