View source for Indian Administrative Service

{{Short description|Administrative arm of the All India Services}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name            = Indian Administrative Service
| native_name     = {{lang|hi|भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा}}
| seal            = IAS CREST.png
| seal_size       = 140px
| logo            = 
| formed          = {{Start date and age|1950|01|26|df=yes}}
| jurisdiction    = [[India|Republic of India]]
| headquarters    = North Block, [[New Delhi]]
| motto           = {{lang|sa|योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्}}<Br> (Excellence in Action)
| employees       = *4,926 officers {{small|(3,511 officers directly recruited by the Union Public Service Commission and 1,415 officers promoted from state civil services)}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://civillist.ias.nic.in/YrCurr/PDF/CadreStrength_01012017.pdf|title=CADRE STRENGTH OF INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE (AS ON 01.01.2017)|date=1 January 2017|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517051612/http://civillist.ias.nic.in/YrCurr/PDF/CadreStrength_01012017.pdf|archive-date=17 May 2017|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref>
| minister1_name  = [[Narendra Modi]]
| minister1_pfo   = [[Prime Minister of India|PM]], [[Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]]
| chief1_name     = [[T. V. Somanathan]]
| chief1_position = [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary]]
| parent_department = {{bulleted list|[[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]]|Department of Personnel and Training (AIS Division)}}
| keydocument1    = [https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_India_(2020)/Part_XIV Article 312, Constitution of India]
| website         = https://iascivillist.dopt.gov.in/
| agency_type     = [[Civil service]]
| parent_agency_type = Ministry
| mapframe        = Yes
}}
{{Politics of India}}
The '''Indian Administrative Service''' ('''IAS''') is the premier [[Public administration|administrative]] arm of the [[All India Services]] of [[Government of India]].<ref name="Profile IAS">{{Cite web|url=http://persmin.gov.in/ais1/Docs/ServiceProfile.pdf|title=Service Profile for the Indian Administrative Service|publisher=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|language=en|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809004536/http://persmin.gov.in/AIS1/Docs/ServiceProfile.pdf|archive-date=9 August 2017}}</ref> The IAS is one of the three All India Services along with the [[Indian Police Service]] (IPS) and the [[Indian Forest Service]] (IFS).<!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS TO INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE, IT IS NOT AN ALL INDIA SERVICE, BUT A CENTRAL SERVICE --> Members of these three services serve the [[Government of India]] as well as the individual [[States and union territories of India|states]]. IAS officers are also deployed to various government [[Constitutional body (India)|constitutional bodies]], staff and line agencies, auxiliary bodies, [[public sector undertakings]], [[regulatory agency|regulatory bodies]], [[statute|statutory bodies]] and autonomous bodies.

As with other countries following the [[parliamentary system]] of government, the IAS is a part of the permanent [[bureaucracy]] of the nation,<ref name=":4" /> and is an inseparable part of the [[Executive (government)|executive]] of the [[Government of India]]. As such, the bureaucracy remains politically neutral and provides administrative continuity to the [[ruling party]] or [[Coalition government|coalition]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/in-defence-of-administrative-continuity-117062201079_1.html|title=In defence of administrative continuity|last=Bhattacharjee|first=Subhomoy|date=22 June 2017|oclc=496280002|work=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=20 January 2018|location=[[New Delhi]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229095341/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/in-defence-of-administrative-continuity-117062201079_1.html|archive-date=29 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Upon confirmation of service, an IAS officer serves a probationary period as a [[sub-divisional magistrate]]. Completion of this probation is followed by an executive administrative role in a [[List of districts in India|district]] as a [[District magistrate|district magistrate and collector]] which lasts several years. After this tenure, an officer may be promoted to head a whole state [[Administrative divisions of India|administrative division]] as a [[divisional commissioner]].

On attaining the higher scales of the pay matrix, IAS officers may lead [[Government of India|government]] departments or ministries. In these roles, IAS officers represent the country at international level in bilateral and multilateral negotiations. If serving on a deputation, they may be employed in [[International organization]] such as the [[World Bank]], the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[United Nations]], or its [[List of specialized agencies of the United Nations|agencies]]. IAS officers are also involved in conducting [[elections in India]] as mandated by the [[Election Commission of India]].

==History==
During the [[East India Company]] period, the civil services were classified into three{{snd}}covenanted, uncovenanted and special civil services. The covenanted civil service, or the Honourable East India Company's Civil Service (HEICCS), as it was called, largely comprised civil servants occupying the senior posts in the government.<ref name=":19">{{Cite book|title=Public Administration in India|last=Tummala|first=Krishna Kumar|publisher=Allied Publishers|year=1996|isbn=978-81-7023-590-3|location=[[Mumbai]]|pages=154–159|oclc=313439426}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite book|title=Indian Polity: A view of system of administration in India (classic reprint)|last=Chesney|first=George Tomkyns|publisher=Forgotten Books|year=2016|isbn=978-1-333-18764-4|location=[[London]]|publication-date=8 December 2017|oclc=982769345|author-link=George Tomkyns Chesney|orig-date=1870}}</ref><ref name="CUC Civil Service" /> The uncovenanted civil service was introduced solely to facilitate the entry of Indians onto the lower rung of the administration.<ref name=":16" /><ref name="CUC Civil Service">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/findhelpregion/asia/india/indiaofficerecordsfamilyhistory/occupations/civilservice/civilservice.html|title=Civil Service|date=8 June 2011|publisher=[[The British Library]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925105401/http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/findhelpregion/asia/india/indiaofficerecordsfamilyhistory/occupations/civilservice/civilservice.html|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book|title=Public Administration in South Asia: India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan (Public Administration and Public Policy)|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=2013|isbn=978-1-4398-6911-6|editor-last=Sabharwal|editor-first=Meghna|edition=1st|location=[[Abingdon-on-Thames]]|oclc=1004349979|editor-last2=Berman|editor-first2=Evan M.}}</ref> The special service comprised specialised departments, such as the Indian Forest Service, the [[Indian Imperial Police|Imperial Police]] and the [[Indian Political Department]], whose ranks were drawn from either the covenanted civil service or the [[Indian Army]]. The Imperial Police included many Indian Army officers among its members, although after 1893 an annual exam was used to select its officers.<ref name=":5" /><ref name="CUC Civil Service" /> In 1858 the HEICCS was replaced by the [[Indian Civil Service]] (ICS),<ref name=":16" /><ref name="CUC Civil Service" /> which became the highest [[civil service]] in [[India]] between 1858 and 1947. The last appointments to the ICS were made in 1942.<ref name="CUC Civil Service" /><ref name=":5" />

With the passing of the [[Government of India Act 1919]] by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]], the Indian civil services—under the general oversight of the [[Secretary of State for India]]—were split into two arms, the [[All India Services]] and the [[Central Civil Services|Central Services]].<ref name="Public Personnel Administration">{{cite book|title=Public Personnel Administration: Theory and Practice|last1=Goel|first1=S.L.|last2=Rajneesh|first2=Shalini|publisher=Deep and Deep Publications|others=Foreword by [[Vasundhara Raje]]|year=2002|isbn=978-81-7629-395-2|location=[[Delhi]]|oclc=51300460}}</ref> The Indian Civil Service was one of the ten All India Services.

In 1946 at the Premier's Conference, the Central Cabinet decided to form the Indian Administrative Service, based on the [[Indian Civil Service]];<ref name=":05">{{Cite web|url=http://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/BaswanReport.pdf|title=To take a comprehensive look at the requirement of IAS officers over a longer time frame|last1=Baswan|first1=B. S.|last2=Barik|first2=R. K.|year=2016|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|publisher=[[Indian Institute of Public Administration]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=23 January 2018|last3=Ali|first3=Akber|last4=Singh|first4=Pankaj Kumar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127174831/http://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/BaswanReport.pdf|archive-date=27 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite book|title=The Service of the State: The IAS Reconsidered|last=Ghose|first=Bhaskar|publisher=[[Penguin Group]]|year=2011|isbn=978-0-670-08381-7|location=[[New Delhi]]|publication-date=9 June 2011|oclc=986241038}}</ref> and the [[Indian Police Service]], based on the [[Indian Police Service|Imperial Police]].<ref name=":05" />

{{Blockquote
| quote = There is no alternative to this administrative system... The Union will go, you will not have a united India if you do not have good All-India Service which has the independence to speak out its mind, which has [the] sense of security that you will {{sic|standby}} your work... If you do not adopt this course, then do not follow the present Constitution. Substitute something else... these people are the instrument. Remove them and I see nothing but a picture of chaos all over the country.
| author = [[Vallabhbhai Patel]] {{small|in the [[Constituent Assembly of India]] discussing the role of [[All India Services]].}}
| source = <ref name="Discussion in Constituent Assembly on role of Indian Administrative Service">{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Debates/cadebatefiles/C10101949.html|title=Discussion in Constituent Assembly on role of Indian Administrative Service|work=[[Parliament of India]]|access-date=26 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014527/http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Debates/cadebatefiles/C10101949.html|archive-date=14 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-birth-anniversary-india-narendra-modi-bjp-4914433/|title=The great unifier|last=Naidu|first=M Venkaiah|author-link=Venkaiah Naidu|date=31 October 2017|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=21 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121164148/http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-birth-anniversary-india-narendra-modi-bjp-4914433/|archive-date=21 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sardar-patels-great-contribution-was-the-indian-administrative/articleshow/61356227.cms|title=Sardar Patel's great contribution was the Indian Administrative Service|date=31 October 2018|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|oclc=61311680|access-date=21 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122011101/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sardar-patels-great-contribution-was-the-indian-administrative/articleshow/61356227.cms|archive-date=22 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":Save the integrity of the civil service">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/020717/save-the-integrity-of-the-civil-service.html|title=Save the integrity of the civil service|last=Noorani|first=A.G.|date=2 July 2017|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911022509/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/020717/save-the-integrity-of-the-civil-service.html|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="One Who Forged India's Steel Frame">{{Cite web|title=One Who Forged India's Steel Frame|url=http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=15210|publisher=H.N. Bali|access-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225185204/http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=15210|archive-date=25 December 2016}}</ref>}}

When India was [[partition of India|partitioned]] following the departure of the British in 1947, the [[Indian Civil Service]] was divided between the new [[dominion]]s of [[Dominion of India|India]] and [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]]. The Indian remnant of the ICS was named the Indian Administrative Service,<ref name=":18">{{Cite book|title=Government Employment and Pay: A Global and Regional Perspective|last1=Schiavo-Campo|first1=Salvatore|last2=Tommaso|first2=de Giulio|last3=Mukherjee|first3=Amitabha|publisher=[[World Bank]]|year=1999|location=[[Washington D. C.]]|page=23|oclc=913715804}}</ref> while the [[Pakistan]] remnant was named the [[District Management Group]] (later renamed to [[Pakistan Administrative Service]] in 2012). The modern Indian Administrative Service was created under Article 312(2) in [[part XIV of the Constitution of India]],<ref name="Services under the Union and the states">{{Cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(19).pdf|title=Part XIV of the Constitution of India- Services under the Union and the States – Article 312(2)|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203131448/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(19).pdf|archive-date=3 December 2011|access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/Revised_AIS_Rule_Vol_I_Rule_01.pdf|title=Relevant portions of the constitution relating to the All India Services|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=3 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107222803/http://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/Revised_AIS_Rule_Vol_I_Rule_01.pdf|archive-date=7 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[All India Services Act, 1951]].<ref name=":06">{{Cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/P-ACT/1951/A1951-61.pdf|title=The All India Services Act, 1951 (Act no. 61 of 1951)|date=29 October 1951|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216205607/http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/P-ACT/1951/A1951-61.pdf|archive-date=16 February 2018}}</ref>

==Indian Frontier Administrative Service==
A special cadre was created in 1954 to administer NEFA (present day [[Arunachal Pradesh]]) and for later Some North Eastern Region. It was first mooted by then Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru|Jawahar Lal Nehru]]. The services were placed under [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]].<ref name="wionews.com">{{Cite web |title=Why the Indian Frontier Administrative Service could be a potent force against China |url=https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/why-the-indian-frontier-administrative-service-could-be-a-potent-force-against-china-311089 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=WION}}</ref>

In 1968, IFAS was merged with IAS and has hence lost its relevance.<ref name="wionews.com"/>

==Recruitment==
[[File:Lal_Bahadur_Shastri_National_Academy_of_Administration,_Mussoorie,_at_night.JPG|left|thumb|The [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration]] in [[Mussoorie]], [[Uttarakhand]] is the staff training college of the IAS.]][[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi interacts with IAS probationers of 2015 batch.jpg|left|thumb|[[Prime Minister of India]], [[Narendra Modi]], interacting with IAS officers (on probation)]]
There are three modes of recruitment into the Indian Administrative Service. IAS officers may enter the IAS by passing the [[Civil Services Examination]], which is conducted by the [[Union Public Service Commission]] (UPSC).<ref name="Profile IAS" /> Officers recruited this way are called direct recruits or regular recruits (RR). Some IAS officers are also recruited from the state civil services,<ref name="Profile IAS" /> and, in rare cases, selected from non-state civil service.<ref name="Profile IAS" /> The ratio between direct recruits and promotees is fixed at 2:1. All IAS officers, regardless of the mode of entry, are appointed by the [[President of India]].<ref name="Services under the Union and the states" />

[[File:President Droupadi Murmu with a group of IAS officers (2020 batch) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 25, 2022.jpg|thumb|[[Droupadi Murmu|President Murmu]] with a group of IAS officers (2020 batch) at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhavan]], in New Delhi]]
Only about 180 candidates out of over 1{{Nbsp}}million applicants, who apply through CSE, are successful, a success rate of less than 0.02{{Nbsp}}per{{Nbsp}}cent.<ref name=":05" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/tips-and-tricks/story/upsc-prelims-exam-quick-tips-333638-2016-08-06|title=11.36 lakh candidates to appear for UPSC IAS Prelims tomorrow: 10 quick tips|date=6 August 2016|website=[[India Today]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|issn=0254-8399|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185559/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/tips-and-tricks/story/upsc-prelims-exam-quick-tips-333638-2016-08-06|archive-date=26 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080514/edit.htm#4|title=In their own service – Pay and perks for the heaven-born|last=Philip|first=A. J.|date=14 May 2018|website=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|location=[[Chandigarh]]|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101173414/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080514/edit.htm#4|archive-date=1 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/opinion/oped/051117/dilli-ka-babu-ips-officers-being-ignored.html|title=Dilli Ka Babu: IPS officers being ignored|last=Cherian|first=Dilip|date=5 November 2017|work=[[The Asian Age]]|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213022447/http://www.asianage.com/opinion/oped/051117/dilli-ka-babu-ips-officers-being-ignored.html|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unlike candidates appointed to other [[Civil Services of India|civil services]], a successful IAS candidate is rendered ineligible to retake CSE.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Engl_CSP_2017.pdf|title=Examination Notice no. 06/2017-CSP|date=22 February 2017|website=[[Union Public Service Commission]]|access-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828161640/http://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Engl_CSP_2017.pdf|archive-date=28 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1951 to 1978, an IAS/IFS candidate was required to submit two additional papers along with three optional papers (instead of just the three optional papers like for other civil services) to be eligible for the Indian Administrative Service or the [[Indian Foreign Service]]. The two additional papers were postgraduate level submissions, compared to the graduate level of the optional papers, and it was this distinction that resulted in a higher status for the IAS and IFS. The two postgraduate level submissions were later removed, but this has not changed the perceived higher status of the IAS and IFS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/civil-services-aspirants-to-be-spared-2-additional-papers/story-qW3NTSmauuAi5fyAGBbQtL.html|title=Civil services aspirants to be spared two additional papers|last=Tikku|first=Aloke|date=4 July 2016|oclc=231696742|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805221642/http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/civil-services-aspirants-to-be-spared-2-additional-papers/story-qW3NTSmauuAi5fyAGBbQtL.html|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="upsc.gov.in">{{Cite web|url=http://upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2014/csp/CSP%202014%20English.pdf|title=Union Public Service Commission: Civil Services Examination, 2014|website=[[Union Public Service Commission]]|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219202323/http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2014/csp/CSP%202014%20English.pdf|archive-date=19 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> After the selection process, the successful candidates undergo training at the [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration]] in [[Mussoorie]], [[Uttarakhand]].<ref name=":17" />

===State cadres===
====Cadre allocation policy====
The [[Government of India|central government]] announced a new cadre allocation policy for the [[All India Services]] in August 2017, claiming it as being a policy to ensure national integration of the bureaucracy and to ensure an All India character of the services.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://persmin.gov.in/AIS1/Docs/cadrepolicy2017.pdf|title=Cadre Allocation Policy for the All India Services-IAS/IPS/IFoS — Reg.|date=5 September 2017|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910183803/http://persmin.gov.in/AIS1/Docs/cadrepolicy2017.pdf|archive-date=10 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-finalises-new-allocation-policy-for-ias-ips-officers/story-N22dUxnK9bGU73JaNoC3xN.html|title=IAS, IPS allocation policy rejigged for 'national integration of bureaucracy'|date=23 August 2017|oclc=231696742|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910221545/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-finalises-new-allocation-policy-for-ias-ips-officers/story-N22dUxnK9bGU73JaNoC3xN.html|archive-date=10 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AIS New Cadre Policy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-centre-amends-cadre-allocation-policy-to-protect-national-character-of-all-india-services-2536413|title=New cadre Policy which focuses on National Integration of All India Services|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=21 August 2017|website=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|oclc=801791672|access-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824143417/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-centre-amends-cadre-allocation-policy-to-protect-national-character-of-all-india-services-2536413|archive-date=24 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The existing twenty six{{Nbsp}}cadres were to be divided into five{{Nbsp}}zones by the Department of Personnel and Training.<ref name="New Cadre Policy">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/new-cadre-policy-for-ias-ips-4810709/|title=New cadre policy for IAS, IPS|date=24 August 2017|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910173501/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/new-cadre-policy-for-ias-ips-4810709/|archive-date=10 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/x5gb1MTwzWCn35dsdBKRqI/Govts-proposed-cadre-policy-for-IAS-IPS-officers-draws-ire.html|title=Govt's proposed cadre policy for IAS, IPS officers draws ire|last=Bhaskar|first=Utpal|date=24 August 2017|website=[[Live Mint]]|publisher=[[HT Media Ltd]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919234423/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/x5gb1MTwzWCn35dsdBKRqI/Govts-proposed-cadre-policy-for-IAS-IPS-officers-draws-ire.html|archive-date=19 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/govt-finalises-new-cadre-policy-for-ias-ips-officers-1020070-2017-08-23|title=Govt finalises new cadre policy for IAS, IPS officers|date=23 August 2017|editor-last=Shrivastava|editor-first=Ashwini|issn=0254-8399|website=[[India Today]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828065505/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/govt-finalises-new-cadre-policy-for-ias-ips-officers/1/1032277.html|archive-date=28 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/240817/government-finalises-new-cadre-policy-for-ias-ips-officers.html|title=Central government finalises new cadre policy for IAS, IPS officers|date=24 August 2017|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910180812/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/240817/government-finalises-new-cadre-policy-for-ias-ips-officers.html|archive-date=10 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the new policy, a candidate first selects their zones of preference, in descending order, then indicates a cadre preference from each preferred zone. The candidate indicates their second cadre preference for every preferred zone subsequently. The preference for the zones and cadres remains in the same order and no change is permitted.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name="AIS New Cadre Policy" />

Officers remain in their allocated cadre or are deputed to the [[Government of India]].<ref name="Profile IAS" /><ref name="ifs.nic.in">{{Cite web|url=http://ifs.nic.in/deputation/con-depu%20guide.pdf|title=Consolidated Deputation Guidelines for All India Services|date=28 November 2007|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|language=en|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918064440/http://ifs.nic.in/deputation/con-depu%20guide.pdf|archive-date=18 September 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+Zones under the current cadre allocation policy
!Zone
!Cadres
|-
!Zone-I
|AGMUT ([[Arunachal Pradesh]]-[[Goa]]-[[Mizoram]] and [[Union territory|Union Territories]] including erstwhile state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]), [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]] and [[Haryana]].
|-
!Zone-II
|[[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Jharkhand]] and [[Odisha]].
|-
!Zone-III
|[[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Chhattisgarh]].
|-
!Zone-IV
|[[West Bengal]], [[Sikkim]], [[Assam]]-[[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]], [[Tripura]] and [[Nagaland]].
|-
!Zone-V
|[[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]].
|}

====Previous cadre allocation policies====
Until 2008, there was no formal system that permitted the selection of a state cadre preferred by the candidate. If the candidate was not placed in a vacancy in their home state, they would be allocated to other states, which were selected from a roster in [[alphabet]]ic order, starting from 'A', 'H', 'M' or 'T', depending on the year. For example, if in a particular year the roster begins from 'A', then the first candidate on the roster will go to the [[Andhra Pradesh]] state cadre, the next one to [[Bihar]], and then to [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Gujarat]] and so on in alphabetical order.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://persmin.gov.in/AIS1/Docs/OldCadreAllocPolicy.pdf|title=Old Cadre allocation policy for All India Services – IAS/IPS/IFS|date=30 May 1985|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721194712/http://persmin.gov.in/AIS1/Docs/OldCadreAllocPolicy.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The next year the roster starts from 'H', for either [[Haryana]] or [[Himachal Pradesh]] (the two states alternate roster years). This system, practiced since the mid-1980s, ensured that [[officer]]s from different states were placed all over India.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The system of permanent state cadres resulted in wide disparities of professional exposure for officers when comparing those from developed versus less developed states.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="book" /> Changes in state cadres were only permitted on grounds of marriage to an All India Services officer of another state cadre or under other exceptional circumstances. The officers were allowed to go to their home state cadre on deputation for a limited period after which they would be required to return to their allocated cadre.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="book"/>

From 2008, IAS officers were assigned to state cadres at the beginning of their service. There was one cadre for each Indian state, except for two{{Nbsp}}joint cadres: [[Assam]]–[[Meghalaya]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]]–[[Goa]]–[[Mizoram]]–[[Union Territory|Union Territories]] (AGMUT).<ref name="book">{{Cite book|title=Indian Administration|last1=Chattopadhyaya|first1=Haraprasad|last2=Baghel|first2=Indu|publisher=Global Vision Publishing House|year=2015|isbn=978-81-8220-713-4|location=[[New Delhi]]|page=325|oclc=927511141}}</ref> The "insider-outsider ratio" (ratio of officers who were posted to their home states to those from other states) was maintained at 1:2, with one-third of the direct recruits being 'insiders' from the same state.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://persmin.gov.in/AIS1/Docs/CAP2009-P2.pdf|title=Revised Cadre Allocation Policy w.e.f. CSE-2009, dated 15.06.2011|date=15 June 2011|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822014155/http://persmin.gov.in/AIS1/Docs/CAP2009-P2.pdf|archive-date=22 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The rest were posted as outsiders according to the state allocation roster in states other than their home states,<ref name=":0" /> as indicated by their preference.

==Responsibilities of an IAS officer==
[[File:H2019070270468.jpg|thumb|The Prime Minister with IAS officers of 2017 batch in New Delhi]]
The typical functions performed by an IAS officer are:
*To collect land revenue and function as court officials in matters of land revenue (for the revenue courts), to maintain law and order, to implement union and state government policies at the grass-roots level when posted to field positions i.e. as [[Sub-divisional magistrate]], [[District magistrate|Additional District Magistrate]], [[District magistrate]] and [[Divisional commissioner]], and to act as an agent of the government in the field, i.e. to act as an intermediary between the public and the government.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":14">{{Cite book|title=Government And Politics In South Asia|last1=Malik|first1=Yogendra K.|last2=Kennedy|first2=Charles H.|last3=Oberst|first3=Robert C.|last4=Kapur|first4=Ashok|last5=Lawoti|first5=Mahendra|last6=Rahman|first6=Syedur|publisher=[[Westview Press]] (now [[Routledge]])|year=2001|isbn=978-0-8133-3901-6|edition=5th|location=[[Boulder, Colorado]]|publication-date=7 September 2001|oclc=945072906}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Civil-Services/2017-02-24/Know-about-Civil-Services-in-India/283023|title=Know about Civil Services in India|last=Kumar|first=Gudipati Rajendera|date=24 February 2017|website=[[The Hans India]]|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126125625/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Civil-Services/2017-02-24/Know-about-Civil-Services-in-India/283023|archive-date=26 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Functions and Jurisdiction of Revenue Courts |url=https://www.landreforms.tn.gov.in/RevenueCourt.html#Jurisdiction}}</ref> 
*To implement government policies, to execute government decisions, to oversee the day to day administration and serve as the head of the department, to coordinate with other departments/agencies, to represent the department when posted as Director/Commissioner of a Directorate/Commissionerate/Department.
*To handle the administration and daily proceedings of the government, including the formulation and implementation of policy in consultation with the minister-in-charge of a specific ministry or department.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":15" /><ref name=":11" />
*To contribute to policy formulation, and to make a final decision in certain matters, with the agreement of the minister concerned or the council of ministers (depending upon the weight of the matter), when posted at the higher level in the [[Government of India]] as a [[Joint secretary to the Government of India|joint secretary]], [[Additional secretary to the Government of India|additional secretary]], special secretary or secretary equivalent, [[Secretary to the Government of India|secretary]] and [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary]], and in state governments as secretary, [[Principal secretary (India)|principal secretary]], additional chief secretary or special chief secretary and [[Chief secretary (India)|chief secretary]].<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":15" /><ref name=":11" />

==Career progression==
At the beginning of their career, IAS officers receive district training with their home cadres followed by their first posting. Their initial role is as an [[Sub-divisional magistrate|assistant collector cum sub-divisional magistrate]]  and they are placed in charge of a district sub-division. As assistant collector cum sub divisional magistrate, they are entrusted with land revenue administration, maintaining law and order, as well as general administration and development work, of the [[Tehsil|sub-district]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/responsibilities-powers-of-an-ias-officer-1446714844-1|title=Responsibilities of an IAS officer|date=5 November 2015|website=Jagran Josh|publisher=[[Dainik Jagran]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813222958/http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/responsibilities-powers-of-an-ias-officer-1446714844-1|archive-date=13 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://persmin.gov.in/cvo1/TC_AIS.htm|title=Terms and Conditions-All India Service Officer|date=21 August 2002|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808192826/http://persmin.gov.in/cvo1/TC_AIS.htm|archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref>

Completion of probation is followed by an executive role in a [[List of districts in India|district]] as a [[District magistrate|district collector cum district magistrate]], which lasts several years. After this tenure as a district magistrate or district collector or deputy commissioner, IAS officers can be posted to various positions in the state government. These positions include secretary or principal secretary in different departments, director of a department, [[divisional commissioner]], or chairman of a government corporation. The specific positions depend on the officer's seniority, experience, and performance. The highest positions that an IAS officer can attain include [[Chief secretary (India)|chief secretary]] of a state or [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|cabinet secretary]] of the country.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

In 2015 it was announced that a new designation of [[Assistant secretary#India|assistant secretary]] at the Central Secretariat had been created to enable new IAS officers to be posted to Delhi for a three-month assignment as part of their training regime. IAS officers were previously only permitted to go on a deputation once assigned to the Central Secretariat after nine years of service in their home cadre. It was observed that the experience of central functions was severely lacking among these deputations, resulting in this change in their training.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/new-ias-officers-to-work-as-assistant-secretary-in-delhi/|title=New IAS officers to work as assistant secretary in Delhi|last=Yadav|first=Shyamlal|date=18 August 2015|website=[[The Indian Express]]|oclc=70274541|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109140622/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/new-ias-officers-to-work-as-assistant-secretary-in-delhi/|archive-date=9 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/iasorder.pdf|title=Appointment of IAS Officers,2015 batch as Assistant Secretary in the Central Secretariat for a period of four months|date=21 April 2017|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904062321/http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/iasorder.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/21-1-2017-cs1-p-part1.pdf|title=Appointment of lAS Officers as Assistant Secretary in the Central Secretariat for a period of three months-terms and conditions of appointment regarding|date=27 April 2017|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904062737/http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/21-1-2017-cs1-p-part1.pdf|archive-date=4 September 2017}}</ref> As part of the new system, IAS assistant secretaries are supposed to work on projects—a new policy in their respective areas—and present it to their respective ministries; of all projects, 36 are selected to be presented before all secretaries of the [[Government of India]]; consequently, 16 are selected to be before the [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary]] and a final eight are selected for presentation before the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]].<ref name="IAS Assistant Secretary to GoI">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/young-ias-officers-hail-5-years-of-modi-govts-assistant-secretary-programme/254775/|title=Young IAS officers hail 5 years of Modi govt's assistant secretary programme|last=Dhingra|first=Sanya|date=27 June 2019|website=[[ThePrint]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref>

As an IAS officer progresses in their career, they become eligible for important positions in the [[Government of India|central government]]. These positions include joint secretary, additional secretary, and secretary in different ministries and departments. In these roles, IAS officers are involved in making policies, implementing them, and making important decisions at the national level. They can also be appointed as advisors to the central government or serve in autonomous bodies, commissions, and international organizations. These opportunities allow IAS officers to contribute to the development and governance of the country on a larger scale.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-21 |title=Only 442 IAS officers working with Central government, against the required strength of 1,469: DoPT |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/only-442-ias-officers-working-with-central-government-against-the-required-strength-of-1469-dopt/article66646329.ece |access-date=2023-05-23 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Centre's New Rules On IAS Officers' Central Deputation: Details Here |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ias-officers-rules-ias-officers-new-rules-central-deputation-ias-news-centres-new-rules-on-ias-officers-central-deputation-2715747 |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

On attaining the apex scale, IAS officers may lead [[Government of India|government]] departments or ministries. In these roles, IAS officers represent the [[country]] at the international level in bilateral and multilateral negotiations. If serving on a deputation,<ref name="ifs.nic.in" /> they may be employed in [[International organization]] such as the [[World Bank]],<ref name="ifs.nic.in" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/s-aparna-appointed-executive-director-world-bank/article19437532.ece|title=S. Aparna appointed Executive Director, World Bank|last=Langa|first=Mahesh|date=6 August 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=12 August 2017|language=en|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/subhash-chandra-garg-appointed-as-world-bank-ed/article6397704.ece|title=Subhash Chandra Garg appointed as World Bank ED|date=10 September 2014|website=Business Line|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|issn=0971-7528|oclc=456162874|access-date=20 August 2017}}</ref> the [[International Monetary Fund]],<ref name="ifs.nic.in" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/b-p-mishra-to-replace-reddy-as-ed-in-imf_120204.html|title=B P Mishra to replace Reddy as ED in IMF|date=8 September 2003|website=[[Zee News]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224144759/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/b-p-mishra-to-replace-reddy-as-ed-in-imf_120204.html|archive-date=24 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/returning-to-india/world-bank-imf-returnees-viz-bimal-jalan-vijay-kelkar-yv-reddy-etc-secure-key-government-posts/articleshow/10211874.cms|title=World Bank, IMF returnees viz., Bimal Jalan, Vijay Kelkar, YV Reddy, etc., secure key government posts|last=Sharma|first=Shantanu Nandan|date=3 October 2011|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|oclc=61311680|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910063143/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/returning-to-india/world-bank-imf-returnees-viz-bimal-jalan-vijay-kelkar-yv-reddy-etc-secure-key-government-posts/articleshow/10211874.cms|archive-date=10 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Asian Development Bank]],<ref name="ifs.nic.in" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Lakshmi-Venkatachalam-appointed-ADB-vice-president/article16024936.ece|title=Lakshmi Venkatachalam appointed ADB vice-president|date=24 April 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[Bangalore]]|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|access-date=20 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/adb-appoints-lakshmi-venkatachalam-as-vp-110042400067_1.html|title=ADB appoints Lakshmi Venkatachalam as VP|date=20 January 2013|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|location=[[Bangalore]]|oclc=496280002|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904065345/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/adb-appoints-lakshmi-venkatachalam-as-vp-110042400067_1.html|archive-date=4 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/former-bureaucrat-pandian-named-aiib-cio/article8200198.ece|title=Former bureaucrat Pandian named AIIB CIO|last=Aneja|first=Atul|date=6 February 2016|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150620/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/former-bureaucrat-pandian-named-aiib-cio/article8200198.ece|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/aiib-appoints-dj-pandian-as-cio/article8219591.ece|title=AIIB appoints DJ Pandian as CIO|date=10 February 2016|website=Business Line|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pandian-appointed-aiib-vice-president-116020301345_1.html|title=Pandian appointed AIIB Vice-President|date=3 February 2016|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020409/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pandian-appointed-aiib-vice-president-116020301345_1.html|archive-date=14 January 2018|url-status=live|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> and the [[United Nations]] or its [[List of specialized agencies of the United Nations|agencies]].<ref name="ifs.nic.in" /><ref name="PR India UN JS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/061116/dilli-ka-babu-permanent-representative-of-india-in-unesco-an-ias-post.html|title=Dilli Ka Babu: Permanent Representative of India in Unesco an IAS post|last=Cherian|first=Dilip|date=6 November 2016|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106170327/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/061116/dilli-ka-babu-permanent-representative-of-india-in-unesco-an-ias-post.html|archive-date=6 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ias-officer-upma-chaudhary-nominated-as-member-of-un-body-117081100035_1.html|title=IAS officer Upma Chaudhary nominated as member of UN body|date=11 August 2017|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|location=[[Shimla]]|oclc=496280002|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927113549/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ias-officer-upma-chaudhary-nominated-as-member-of-un-body-117081100035_1.html|archive-date=27 September 2017|url-status=live|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> IAS officers are also involved in the conduct of [[elections in India]] as mandated by the [[Election Commission of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/ECI_Instructions/ins291209.pdf|title=Biennial/Bye-Elections to the Legislative Council-Deployment & Duties of Observers-Regarding.|date=29 December 2009|website=[[Election Commission of India]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808013944/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/ECI_Instructions/ins291209.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+Positions and designations held by IAS officer in their career<ref name="Profile IAS" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/14021_1_2016-AIS-II-08092016A.pdf|title=The Indian Administrative Service (Pay) Rules, 2016|date=8 September 2016|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919033209/http://document.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/14021_1_2016-AIS-II-08092016A.pdf|archive-date=19 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" />
|-
! Grade/scale (level on Pay Matrix)<ref name=":7" /><ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" />
! Field posting(s)<ref name="Profile IAS" />
! Position in state governments<ref name="Profile IAS" />
! Position in the [[Government of India]]<ref name="Profile IAS" />
!Position on [[order of precedence in India]]
! Pay Scale<ref name=":7" /><ref name="7 Pay Commission Report">{{Cite web|url=http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|title=Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission of India|website=Department of Expenditure, [[Government of India]]|publisher=Seventh Central [[Pay Commission]] of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|archive-date=20 November 2015|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Cabinet Secretary grade (Pay level 18)
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |
—
| style="text-align: center;" |—
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary]]
|{{Centre|11}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|250|k|lk=on}} (PPP$11,700){{efn|name=fn10|Purchasing power parities (PPP) dollars for comparison.}}
|-
| Apex scale (Pay level 17)
| style="text-align: center;" |
[[Chief secretary (India)|Chief secretary]]{{efn|name=fn1|IAS officers of the designations additional chief secretary and special chief secretary draw same pay as the chief secretary of the state but not same protocol.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/why-so-many-ias-officers-promoted-as-acs-haryana-assembly-panel-asks-govt-4735892/|title=Why so many IAS officers promoted as ACS, Haryana Assembly panel asks Govt|last=Siwach|first=Sukhbir|date=5 July 2017|oclc=70274541|location=[[Chandigarh]]|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=12 August 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813011441/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/why-so-many-ias-officers-promoted-as-acs-haryana-assembly-panel-asks-govt-4735892/|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/uttarakhand/community/apex-grade-for-two-principal-secretaries/178288.html|location=[[Dehradun]]|title=Apex grade for two Principal Secretaries|date=2 January 2016|website=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813010059/http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/uttarakhand/community/apex-grade-for-two-principal-secretaries/178288.html|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/5-ias-officers-promoted-as-additional-chief-secretaries/1205769/|title=5 IAS officers promoted as Additional Chief Secretaries|date=10 December 2013|oclc=70274541|location=[[Gandhinagar]]|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703195447/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/5-ias-officers-promoted-as-additional-chief-secretaries/1205769/|archive-date=3 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
[[Secretary to the Government of India|Secretary]]{{efn|name=fn7|IAS officers of the designation [[special secretary to the Government of India]] or secretary-equivalent draw the same pay as a [[secretary to Government of India|secretary to the Government of India]] but not same protocol.<ref name=":IAS Secy. and Spl. Secy.">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/government-promotes-28-ias-officers-99590-2012-04-18|title=Government promotes 28 IAS officers to secretary and special secretary ranks|last=Sharma|first=Aman|date=19 April 2012|issn=0254-8399|location=[[New Delhi]]|website=[[India Today]]|access-date=1 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719054022/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/government-promotes-28-ias-officers/1/185097.html|archive-date=19 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/18-senior-ias-officers-promoted-to-secretary-special-secretary-level/articleshow/48872809.cms|location=[[New Delhi]]|title=18 senior IAS officers promoted to Secretary, Special Secretary level|date=8 September 2015|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|oclc=61311680|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914083042/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/18-senior-ias-officers-promoted-to-secretary-special-secretary-level/articleshow/48872809.cms|archive-date=14 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/18-ias-officers-promoted-as-secretaries-special-secretaries-116080101408_1.html|title=18 IAS officers promoted as secretaries, special secretaries|date=1 August 2016|oclc=496280002|location=[[New Delhi]]|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908065905/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/18-ias-officers-promoted-as-secretaries-special-secretaries-116080101408_1.html|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=live|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>|group=}}{{efn|name=fn9|Subject to empanelment in union government}}
|{{Centre|23}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|225|k|lk=on}}
|-
| Higher administrative grade (above super time scale) (Pay level 15)
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |
[[Divisional commissioner]]{{efn|name=fn2|Alternate designations – Regional commissioner, revenue divisional commissioner.}}{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
[[Principal secretary (India)|Principal secretary]]
| style="text-align: center;" |
[[Additional secretary to the Government of India|Additional secretary]]{{efn|name=fn9|Subject to empanelment in union government}}/ Director General 
|{{Centre|25}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|182.2|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|224.1|k|lk=on}}
|-
|  Senior administrative grade (above super time scale) (Pay level 14)
| style="text-align: center;" |
Secretary/

Commissioner{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
[[Joint secretary to the Government of India|Joint secretary]]{{efn|name=fn9|Subject to empanelment in union government}}
|{{Centre|26}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|144.2|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|218.2|k|lk=on}}
|-
| Selection grade (Pay level 13)
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |
[[District magistrate|Collector cum District magistrate]]{{efn|name=fn3|Alternate designations – District collector, district officer, deputy commissioner.<ref name="Governance in India">{{Cite book|title=Governance in India|last=Laxmikanth|first=M.|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill Education]]|pages=4.1–4.10|year=2014|isbn=978-93-392-0478-5|edition=2nd|location=[[Noida]]|publication-date=25 August 2014}}</ref>}}{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
Special secretary/ Director{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
Director{{efn|name=fn9|Subject to empanelment in union government}}
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|118.5|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|214.1|k|lk=on}}
|-
| Junior administrative grade (Pay level 12)
| style="text-align: center;" |
Joint secretary{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
Deputy secretary{{efn|name=fn9|Subject to empanelment in union government}}
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|78.8|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|191.5|k|lk=on}}
|-
|  Senior time scale (Pay level 11)
| style="text-align: center;" |
[[District Magistrate|Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate]]{{efn|name=fn5|Alternate designations –  Chief development officer, district development officer, project director of [[District Rural Development Agencies|DRDA, DUDA, IRDP etc.]], additional district collector, joint collector, additional deputy commissioner, CEO of [[District Councils of India|zila parishad]].}}{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
Deputy secretary{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
Under Secretary
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|67.7|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|160|k|lk=on}}
|-
| Junior time scale (Pay level 10)
| style="text-align: center;" |
[[Sub-Divisional Magistrate (India)|Assistant Collector cum Sub-Divisional Magistrate]]{{efn|name=fn6|Alternate designations – Deputy collector, sub-divisional officer, sub-collector, joint magistrate, assistant commissioner<ref name="Governance in India" />}}{{efn|name=fn8|Alternate designations and nomenclature can differs from state to state.}}
| style="text-align: center;" |Under Secretary
| style="text-align: center;" | Assistant secretary{{Efn|Under training position; three-month assignment.<ref name="IAS Assistant Secretary to GoI" />|name=Assistant secretary}}
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
{{INRConvert|56.1|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|132|k|lk=on}}
|-
! colspan="6" |Notes
|-
| colspan="6" |{{Notelist}}
|}
Upon retirement, high ranking IAS officers have occupied constitutional posts such as the [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|chief election commissioner of India]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-chief-election-commissioner-achal-kumar-jyoti-to-take-charge-on-july-6-1022011-2017-07-02|title=India's new Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti to take charge on July 6|date=3 July 2017|issn=0254-8399|website=[[India Today]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816000943/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-chief-election-commissioner-achal-kumar-jyoti-to-take-charge-on-july-6/1/992727.html|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|comptroller and auditor general of India]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/shashi-kant-sharma-appointed-cag-113052100826_1.html|title=Shashi Kant Sharma appointed CAG|last=Chitravanshi|first=Ruchika|date=22 May 2013|oclc=496280002|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904013204/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/shashi-kant-sharma-appointed-cag-113052100826_1.html|archive-date=4 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Union Public Service Commission#List of chairmen|chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission]] (UPSC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Alka-Sirohi-appointed-UPSC-chairman/articleshow/54389479.cms|title=Alka Sirohi appointed UPSC chairman|date=18 September 2016|oclc=23379369|website=[[The Times of India]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705033935/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Alka-Sirohi-appointed-UPSC-chairman/articleshow/54389479.cms|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> They have also become members of administrative tribunals, such as the [[National Green Tribunal]] and the [[Tribunals in India|Central Administrative Tribunal]], as well as chiefs of [[Regulatory agency|regulators]] including the [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/it-secretary-r-s-sharma-appointed-as-trai-chairman-115072701224_1.html|title=IT Secretary R S Sharma appointed as TRAI chairman|last=Taneja|first=Mansi|date=28 July 2015|oclc=496280002|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904012524/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/it-secretary-r-s-sharma-appointed-as-trai-chairman-115072701224_1.html|archive-date=4 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Securities and Exchange Board of India]],<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/govt-appoints-ias-officer-ajay-tyagi-as-sebi-chief-for-5-years/articleshow/57084478.cms|title=Government appoints IAS officer Ajay Tyagi as Sebi chief for 5 years|last=Zachariah|first=Reena|date=11 February 2017|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=[[Mumbai]]|oclc=61311680|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910063132/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/govt-appoints-ias-officer-ajay-tyagi-as-sebi-chief-for-5-years/articleshow/57084478.cms|archive-date=10 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Money/CDlImzpbWccmCjlTJM3dsJ/Ajay-Tyagi-assumes-office-as-Sebi-chairman.html|title=Ajay Tyagi assumes office as Sebi chairman|date=1 March 2017|website=[[Live Mint]]|publisher=[[HT Media Ltd]]|location=[[Mumbai]]|access-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123070039/http://www.livemint.com/Money/CDlImzpbWccmCjlTJM3dsJ/Ajay-Tyagi-assumes-office-as-Sebi-chairman.html|archive-date=23 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Reserve Bank of India]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Subbarao-appointed-RBI-Governor/article15295557.ece|title=Subbarao appointed RBI Governor|date=2 September 2008|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref> If a serving IAS officer is appointed to a constitutional post such as [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]], [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]] or chairperson of UPSC or as head of a [[statutory authority]], such as the [[National Commission for Women]] or the [[Central Information Commission]], he or she is deemed to have retired from service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/stock-markets/asked-to-resign-from-ias-kaushik-declines-sebi-job/article10046616.ece|title=Asked to resign from IAS, Kaushik declines SEBI job|last=Shah|first=Palak|date=22 January 2018|website=[[Business Line]]|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[Mumbai]]|issn=0971-7528|oclc=456162874|access-date=25 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-cadre-ias-officer-sanjeev-kaushik-turns-down-sebi-job/articleshow/62633152.cms|title=Kerala cadre IAS officer Sanjeev Kaushik turns down Sebi job|date=24 January 2018|website=[[The Times of India]]|location=[[Thiruvananthapuram]]|oclc=23379369|access-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125082709/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-cadre-ias-officer-sanjeev-kaushik-turns-down-sebi-job/articleshow/62633152.cms|archive-date=25 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/appointed-sebi-member-sanjeev-kaushik-seeks-nod-to-stay-with-ias-too/articleshow/62645123.cms|title=Appointed Sebi member, Sanjeev Kaushik seeks nod to stay with IAS too|date=25 January 2018|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|location=[[Mumbai]]|oclc=61311680|access-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012515/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/appointed-sebi-member-sanjeev-kaushik-seeks-nod-to-stay-with-ias-too/articleshow/62645123.cms|archive-date=26 January 2018|url-status=live|last1=Zachariah|first1=Reena}}</ref>

IAS officers can also be deputed to private organisations for a fixed tenure under Rule 6(2)(ii) of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/Revised_AIS_Rule_Vol_II_IAS_Rule_01_0.pdf|title=The Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) rules, 1954|date=1954|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813225159/http://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/Revised_AIS_Rule_Vol_II_IAS_Rule_01_0.pdf|archive-date=13 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/21/parliamentary-panel-for-deputation-of-ias-ips-officers-in-private-firms-1733525.html|title=Parliamentary panel for deputation of IAS, IPS officers in private firms|date=21 December 2017|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=15 February 2018|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|oclc=243883379|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215204202/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/21/parliamentary-panel-for-deputation-of-ias-ips-officers-in-private-firms-1733525.html|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Assessment of suitability for promotion and posting===
The performance of IAS officers is assessed through a performance appraisal report (PAR). These are governed through the All India Services (Performance Appraisal Report) Rules 2007. The reports are reviewed to judge the suitability of an officer before a promotion or a posting in the union or state governments. The report is compiled annually and is initiated by the officers themselves, designated as the reporting officer, who list their achievements, completion of assigned activities and targets for the year. The report is then modified and commented on by the reviewing officer, usually the superior of the reporting officer. All the Reports are forwarded by the reviewing officer to the accepting authority, who conducts a final review of the report.<ref name="Profile IAS" />

==Public perception==
In popular perception, the allure of pursuing a career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) lies in the associated privileges and benefits, which drive more than a million candidates to compete for a mere 180 positions each year. The position of an IAS officer is commonly regarded as a gateway to power, privilege, and elevated social status. Criticisms of the country's bureaucracy have persisted over time, with detractors highlighting its cumbersome nature, slow decision-making processes, inefficiency, and instances of corruption. These deficiencies have become so widely acknowledged that the Indian bureaucracy often becomes the subject of relentless satirical portrayals in popular culture.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Garima |date=2023-04-23 |title=National Civil Services Day: Is the IAS, India's so-called steel frame, rusting? |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/government-jobs/national-civil-services-day-is-the-ias-indias-so-called-steel-frame-rusting/articleshow/99667494.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-06-23 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

==Major concerns and reforms==
===Shortage of officers===
It was reported in 2017 that there is a shortage of about 1,700{{Nbsp}}IAS officers in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170802/jsp/nation/story_165137.jsp|title=IAS and IPS grapple with officer shortage|last=Siddiqui|first=Imran Ahmed|date=1 August 2017|website=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|oclc=271717941|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131024952/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170802/jsp/nation/story_165137.jsp|archive-date=31 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shortage-of-around-3000-ias-ips-and-ifs-officers/articleshow/58193744.cms|title=Shortage of around 3,000 IAS, IPS and IFS officers|date=15 April 2017|website=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.]]|oclc=23379369|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601143949/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shortage-of-around-3000-ias-ips-and-ifs-officers/articleshow/58193744.cms|archive-date=1 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/xgPUublqyZa9YKXT13YZmJ/Shortage-of-over-1400-IAS-900-IPS-officers-in-India-Govt.html|title=Shortage of over 1,400 IAS, 900 IPS officers in India: Govt|date=22 March 2017|website=[[Live Mint]]|publisher=[[HT Media Ltd]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120211641/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/xgPUublqyZa9YKXT13YZmJ/Shortage-of-over-1400-IAS-900-IPS-officers-in-India-Govt.html|archive-date=20 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, the [[government]] has stated that annual recruitment of IAS officers will not increase, to avoid impacting the career progression of existing officers and the overall structure of the service.<ref name=":05" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ias-ips-crunch-fails-to-bridge-deficit-till-2025-centre-in-no-hurry-to-increase-number-of-recruitments-113775-2012-08-21|title=IAS-IPS crunch fails to bridge deficit till 2025, Centre in no hurry to increase number of recruitments|last=Sharma|first=Aman|website=[[India Today]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|issn=0254-8399|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131024654/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ias-ips-crunch-fails-to-bridge-deficit-till-2025-centre-in-no-hurry-to-increase-number-of-recruitments-113775-2012-08-21|archive-date=31 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Resistance to change===
The bureaucratic culture within the IAS can sometimes lead to resistance to change and a reluctance to adopt new ideas or reforms. This can hinder innovation and prevent the adoption of best practices, making it challenging to address emerging challenges effectively.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/posting-of-2019-batch-ias-officers-as-assistant-secretaries-at-centre-deferred-dopt/articleshow/83777949.cms | title=Posting of 2019 batch IAS officers as assistant secretaries at Centre deferred: DoPT | newspaper=The Times of India | date=23 June 2021 }}</ref>

===Lateral entry===
Media personalities, some retired IAS officers and a few academics have argued in favour of lateral entry into the IAS to inject fresh blood into the service. They argue that it would help refresh the bureaucracy, offer competitiveness and bring in alternate perspectives.<ref name="Indian Bureaucracy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.devalt.org/newsletter/jan97/of_4.htm|title=Indian Administrative Service – steel frame of India or steel fetters on democracy|last=Shankar|first=Raja|date=January 1997|website=[[Development Alternatives Group]]|language=en|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825202950/http://www.devalt.org/newsletter/jan97/of_4.htm|archive-date=25 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/w9IUEN2qOv4OZxT8ofx4SK/The-need-for-lateral-entry-in-civil-services.html|title=The need for lateral entry in civil services|date=19 July 2017|website=[[Live Mint]]|publisher=[[HT Media Ltd]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813220819/http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/w9IUEN2qOv4OZxT8ofx4SK/The-need-for-lateral-entry-in-civil-services.html|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Civil-Services/2017-07-26/Need-for-lateral-entry-into-Civil-Services/314670|title=Need for lateral entry into Civil Services|last=Kumar|first=Gudipati Rajendra|date=26 July 2017|website=[[The Hans India]]|access-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815233414/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Civil-Services/2017-07-26/Need-for-lateral-entry-into-Civil-Services/314670|archive-date=15 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-case-for-lateral-entry-indian-administrative-service-ias-upsc-government-4788115/|title=The case for lateral entry|last1=Natarajan|first1=Gulzar|date=9 August 2017|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|oclc=70274541|access-date=13 August 2017|last2=Subbarao|first2=Duvvuri|language=en-US|author-link2=Duvvuri Subbarao|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813184521/http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-case-for-lateral-entry-indian-administrative-service-ias-upsc-government-4788115/|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/recasting-the-steel-frame/article19535453.ece|title=Recasting the steel frame|last=Krishna|first=Srivatsa|date=21 August 2017|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|website=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[N. Ram]]|access-date=27 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/upsc-generalist-vs-specialist-ias-recruitment-4859491/|title=Generalist vs specialist|last1=Natarajan|first1=Gulzar|last2=Subbarao|first2=Duvvuri|author-link2=Duvvuri Subbarao|date=25 September 2017|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926154107/http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/upsc-generalist-vs-specialist-ias-recruitment-4859491/|archive-date=26 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> A counter-argument has been put forward that a lateral entry process could be manipulated due to corruption and cronyism.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/should-the-government-allow-lateral-entry-into-the-civil-services/story-Q75UKek5TPGwCrMreb9G0I.html|title=Should the government allow lateral entry into the civil services?|last=Chandra|first=Shailaja|date=15 July 2017|oclc=231696742|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|issn=0972-0243|access-date=14 August 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813184600/http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/should-the-government-allow-lateral-entry-into-the-civil-services/story-Q75UKek5TPGwCrMreb9G0I.html|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It is further argued that lateral entry would not lead to improvements in managerial performance or accountability,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/vivek-rae-lateral-entry-into-the-civil-service-is-not-a-good-idea-115022100773_1.html|title=Vivek Rae: Lateral entry into the civil service is not a good idea|last=Rae|first=Vivek|date=21 February 2015|oclc=496280002|website=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814220622/http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/vivek-rae-lateral-entry-into-the-civil-service-is-not-a-good-idea-115022100773_1.html|archive-date=14 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and while it may create synergy between the government and big businesses, it could also compromise the integrity of government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/59997/caution-proceed-slowly-an-argument-against-allowing-lateral-entry-into-the-ias/|title=Caution, Proceed Slowly: An Argument Against Allowing Lateral Entry into the IAS|last=Patnaik|first=Sampad|date=19 August 2016|website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814230132/https://thewire.in/59997/caution-proceed-slowly-an-argument-against-allowing-lateral-entry-into-the-ias/|archive-date=14 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It has also been argued that it could weaken the bureaucracy instead.<ref name="Lateral Entry">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/lateral-entry-blind-alley/|title=Lateral entry, blind alley|last=Natarajan|first=Gulzar|date=13 April 2015|oclc=70274541|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|language=en|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805053158/http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/lateral-entry-blind-alley/|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The union government has frequently ruled out lateral entry into the IAS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Government-rules-out-lateral-entry-into-IAS/articleshow/50130089.cms|title=Government rules out lateral entry into IAS|date=11 December 2015|oclc=23379369|website=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724111916/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Government-rules-out-lateral-entry-into-IAS/articleshow/50130089.cms|archive-date=24 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/government-rules-out-lateral-entry-into-civil-services-116081000740_1.html|title=Government rules out lateral entry into civil services|date=10 August 2016|oclc=496280002|website=[[Business Standard]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815180551/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/government-rules-out-lateral-entry-into-civil-services-116081000740_1.html|archive-date=15 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2016/aug/10/government-rules-out-lateral-entry-into-civil-services-1507780.html|title=Government rules out lateral entry into civil services|date=10 August 2016|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|oclc=243883379|access-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815185057/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2016/aug/10/Government-rules-out-lateral-entry-into-civil-services-1507780.html|archive-date=15 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Political influence===
{{Blockquote|The IAS is hamstrung by political interference, outdated personnel procedures, and a mixed record on policy implementation, and it is in need of urgent reform. The Indian government should reshape recruitment and promotion processes, improve performance-based assessment of individual officers, and adopt safeguards that promote accountability while protecting bureaucrats from political meddling.|author=Vaishnav Milan and Saksham Khosla|title= ''The Indian Administrative Service Meets Big Data, [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]''|source= <ref name=":IAS Pol Influence PDF">{{Cite web|url=http://carnegieendowment.org/files/CEIP_CP28x_Vaishnav-Khosla_Final_1.pdf|title=The Indian Administrative Service Meets Big Data|last1=Vaishnav|first1=Milan|last2=Khosla|first2=Saksham|date=September 1, 2016|website=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]|access-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302194509/http://carnegieendowment.org/files/CEIP_CP28x_Vaishnav-Khosla_Final_1.pdf|archive-date=2 March 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":IAS Pol Influence Live Mint" /><ref name="CEIP IAS Civil Services Reform" />}}
Several think tanks and media outlets have argued that the IAS is hamstrung by political influence within the service.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":IAS Pol Influence Live Mint">{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/54qSd79b6x9eUbqep1kqWN/IAS-reforms-Cleaning-rust-from-the-frame.html|title=IAS reforms: Cleaning rust from the frame|last1=Khosla|first1=Saksham|last2=Vaishnav|first2=Milan|date=11 September 2016|website=[[Live Mint]]|publisher=[[HT Media Ltd]]|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919234552/http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/54qSd79b6x9eUbqep1kqWN/IAS-reforms-Cleaning-rust-from-the-frame.html|archive-date=19 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CEIP IAS Civil Services Reform">{{Cite web|url=http://www.carnegieindia.org/2016/09/12/ias-reforms-cleaning-rust-from-frame/j5bl|title=IAS Reforms: Cleaning Rust From the Frame|last1=Khosla|first1=Saksham|last2=Vaishnav|first2=Milan|date=12 September 2016|publisher=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813220845/http://carnegieindia.org/2016/09/12/ias-reforms-cleaning-rust-from-frame/j5bl|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsx.com/national/40117-with-political-influence-controlling-ias-indian-civil-services-need-urgent-reform-us-think-tank|title=With political influence controlling IAS, Indian civil services need urgent reform: US think-tank|date=3 September 2016|website=[[NewsX]]|language=en|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813234201/http://www.newsx.com/national/40117-with-political-influence-controlling-ias-indian-civil-services-need-urgent-reform-us-think-tank|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It has been reported that many local political leaders have been seen to have interfered with IAS officers. Politicians have also exerted pressure on IAS officers by repeatedly transferring them,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Banik|first=Dan|date=1 June 2001|title=The transfer raj: Indian civil servants on the move|journal=The European Journal of Development Research|volume=13|issue=1|pages=106–134|doi=10.1080/09578810108426783|s2cid=154680293|issn=0957-8811|oclc=55042966}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Bureaucracy on Wheels: Trauma of Transfers in the Indian Administrative Service|last=Saxena|first=Vaishali|publisher=Aalekh Publishers|year=2003|isbn=978-81-87359-21-0|location=[[Jaipur]]|oclc=191202280}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/haryana-moves-ias-officer-khemka-again-47th-transfer-in-25-years/story-aB8dxST3wtNsPx7FmmhpaK.html|title=Haryana moves IAS officer Khemka again: 47th transfer in 25 years|date=8 April 2016|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|issn=0972-0243|oclc=231696742|access-date=7 September 2018|agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726005809/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/haryana-moves-ias-officer-khemka-again-47th-transfer-in-25-years/story-aB8dxST3wtNsPx7FmmhpaK.html|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/haryana-ias-officer-pradeep-kasni-transfer-haryana-government-971083-2017-04-12|title=Chandigarh: Haryana IAS officer Pradeep Kasni transferred for 68th time in 33 years|last=Sehgal|first=Manjeet|date=12 April 2017|website=[[India Today]]|publisher=[[Aroon Purie]]|location=[[Chandigarh]]|issn=0254-8399|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101062843/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/haryana-ias-officer-pradeep-kasni-transfer-haryana-government/1/927655.html|archive-date=1 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> suspending them,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/durga-shakti-nagpal-suspended-ias-officer-served-chargesheet-by-up-government-530509|title=Durga Shakti Nagpal, suspended IAS officer, served chargesheet by UP government|last=Zanane|first=Anant|date=4 August 2013|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=13 August 2017|editor-last=Das|editor-first=Mala|location=[[Lucknow]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814020009/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/durga-shakti-nagpal-suspended-ias-officer-served-chargesheet-by-up-government-530509|archive-date=14 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Akhilesh-suspends-Durga-Shakti-Nagpals-IAS-husband/articleshow/44788287.cms|title=Akhilesh suspends Durga Shakti Nagpal's IAS husband|last=Mishra|first=Ishita|date=12 October 2014|oclc=23379369|website=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.]]|language=en|location=[[Agra]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207085620/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Akhilesh-suspends-Durga-Shakti-Nagpals-IAS-husband/articleshow/44788287.cms|archive-date=7 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/20130819-durga-shakti-nagpal-suspended-ias-officer-uttar-pradesh-akhilesh-yadav-765162-2013-08-08|title=The Officer Who Dared|last=Sriram|first=Jayant|date=9 August 2013|issn=0254-8399|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830111828/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/durga-shakti-nagpal-suspended-ias-officer-uttar-pradesh-akhilesh-yadav/1/298814.html|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> beating them,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-chief-secretary-anshu-prakash-alleges-assault-at-arvind-kejriwals-home-by-2-mlas-1814773|title=Delhi Chief Secretary Alleges Assault At Arvind Kejriwal's Home By 2 MLAs: 10 Points|last=Basu|first=Snigdha|date=20 February 2018|editor-last=Ghosh|editor-first=Deepshikha|website=[[NDTV]]|location=[[Delhi]]|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220084824/https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-chief-secretary-anshu-prakash-alleges-assault-at-arvind-kejriwals-home-by-2-mlas-1814773|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-live-updates-anshu-prakash-assaulted-arvind-kejriwal-aap-bjp-congress-5071066/|title=Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash'assault' case LIVE UPDATES: IAS body up in arms, AAP calls press meet at 4 pm|date=20 February 2018|work=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|access-date=20 February 2018|location=[[New Delhi]]|oclc=70274541|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220101609/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-live-updates-anshu-prakash-assaulted-arvind-kejriwal-aap-bjp-congress-5071066/|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/bjp-says-delhi-cs-assaulted-at-arvind-kejriwal-s-residence-aap-denies-allegation/story-ZCXtDMAKZt3xNEJuRu7JDK.html|title=Delhi chief secretary allegedly assaulted at Kejriwal's residence, IAS officers protest|date=20 February 2018|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|issn=0972-0243|access-date=20 February 2018|agency=HT Correspondent|location=[[Delhi]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220084952/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/bjp-says-delhi-cs-assaulted-at-arvind-kejriwal-s-residence-aap-denies-allegation/story-ZCXtDMAKZt3xNEJuRu7JDK.html|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and, in some extreme cases, killing them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-6-bihar-politicos-convicted-for-killing-ias-officer-1124806|title=6 Bihar politicos convicted for killing IAS officer|last=Singh|first=Sanjay|date=2 October 2007|oclc=801791672|website=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|location=[[Patna]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813234951/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-6-bihar-politicos-convicted-for-killing-ias-officer-1124806|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/caught-on-tape-abusive-rajasthan-bjp-mla-threatens-to-kill-cmo-suspended-1856997.html|title=Caught on tape: Abusive Rajasthan BJP MLA threatens to kill CMO, suspended|date=19 December 2014|website=[[Firstpost]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813232812/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/caught-on-tape-abusive-rajasthan-bjp-mla-threatens-to-kill-cmo-suspended-1856997.html|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

While hearing ''[[T. S. R. Subramanian v. Union of India]]'', the [[Supreme Court of India]] ruled that IAS officers{{snd}}and other civil servants{{snd}}were not required to act on oral instructions given by politicians as they 'undermined credibility'.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oral-instructions-undermine-accountability-supreme-court/article5302069.ece|title=Oral instructions undermine accountability: Supreme Court|last=Venkatesan|first=J.|date=1 November 2013|work=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[N. Ram]]|access-date=21 February 2018|location=[[New Delhi]]|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428095022/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oral-instructions-undermine-accountability-supreme-court/article5302069.ece|archive-date=28 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":98">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131101/jsp/frontpage/story_17519176.jsp|title=Chance to say 'No, minister'|last=Balaji|first=R.|date=31 October 2013|work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|access-date=21 February 2018|location=[[New Delhi]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221101158/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131101/jsp/frontpage/story_17519176.jsp|archive-date=21 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/ias-officers-will-no-more-act-on-oral-orders-supreme-court_887175.html|title=IAS officers will no more act on oral orders: Supreme Court|last=Nagpal|first=Deepak|date=31 October 2013|work=[[Zee News]]|access-date=21 February 2018|location=[[New Delhi]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221101141/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/ias-officers-will-no-more-act-on-oral-orders-supreme-court_887175.html|archive-date=21 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":99">{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/fix-bureaucrats-tenure-free-them-from-political-influence-sc-1205017.html|title=Fix bureaucrats' tenure, free them from political influence: SC|date=1 November 2013|website=[[Firstpost]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221100632/http://www.firstpost.com/india/fix-bureaucrats-tenure-free-them-from-political-influence-sc-1205017.html|archive-date=21 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Corruption===
{{See also|Category:Indian Administrative Service officers convicted of crimes}}
Several academic papers have shown IAS to be a significant contributor to crony capitalism in India.<ref name="IAS Crony">{{cite journal |title=Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Crony Capitalism: A Review Paper|url=https://ideas.repec.org/p/iim/iimawp/13314.html|journal=IDEAS, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis |date=19 March 2015 |access-date=4 March 2020|last1=Gupta |first1=Vishal }}</ref><ref name="IAS Crony2">{{cite web |title=Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Crony Capitalism: A Review Paper|url=https://web.iima.ac.in/assets/snippets/workingpaperpdf/7258816322015-03-07.pdf|work=[[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]]|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> In 2015, it was reported by the [[Government of India]] that a hundred IAS officers had come under scrutiny by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] for alleged corruption.<ref name="IAS CSS Corruption">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/100-ias-officers-came-under-cbi-scanner-in-last-5-years-government/|title=100 IAS officers came under CBI scanner in last 5 years: Government|date=23 July 2015|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145120/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/100-ias-officers-came-under-cbi-scanner-in-last-5-years-government/|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS Corruption Modi">{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Narendra-Modi-cautions-IAS-officers-against-corruption-laziness-despondency/articleshow/49853168.cms|title=Narendra Modi cautions IAS officers against corruption, laziness, despondency|date=20 November 2015|oclc=23379369|website=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.]]|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331180037/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Narendra-Modi-cautions-IAS-officers-against-corruption-laziness-despondency/articleshow/49853168.cms|archive-date=31 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS 1991 4 years">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/1991-batch-ias-officer-gets-4-years-in-jail-in-corruption-case-1402882|title=1991 Batch IAS Officer Gets 4 Years In Jail In Corruption Case|date=5 May 2016|website=[[NDTV]]|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145331/http://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/1991-batch-ias-officer-gets-4-years-in-jail-in-corruption-case-1402882|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS buck pocket">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/2016/08/the-buck-stops-here-in-officers-pockets/|title=Cover Story: The buck stops here, in officers' pockets|last=Bhelari|first=Kanhaiya|date=1 August 2016|website=[[Tehelka]]|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819150452/http://www.tehelka.com/2016/08/the-buck-stops-here-in-officers-pockets/|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017 Government records showed that 379 IAS officers had deliberately failed to submit details of their immovable assets (IPR).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/379-ias-officers-have-not-filed-asset-details-government/articleshow/60003203.cms|title=379 IAS officers have not filed asset details: Government|date=10 August 2017|oclc=61311680|website=[[The Economic Times]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|access-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813075018/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/379-ias-officers-have-not-filed-asset-details-government/articleshow/60003203.cms|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2007, a number of [[Chief secretary (India)|chief secretaries]]<ref name="TN CS">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/tamil-nadu-chief-secretary-rammohan-raos-chennai-home-raided-by-income-tax-officials-1640178|title=24-Hour Raids At Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao's Home, Office|date=21 December 2016|editor-last=Shukla|editor-first=Shuchi|website=[[NDTV]]|location=[[Chennai]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145328/http://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/tamil-nadu-chief-secretary-rammohan-raos-chennai-home-raided-by-income-tax-officials-1640178|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TN CS Notes">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-chief-secretary-p-rama-mohana-rao-son-raided-rs-30-lakh-in-new-notes-demonetiation-black-money-4439341/|title=Tamil Nadu chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao, son raided, Rs 30 lakh in new notes|last=Janardhanan|first=Arun|date=22 December 2016|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|location=[[Chennai]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145527/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-chief-secretary-p-rama-mohana-rao-son-raided-rs-30-lakh-in-new-notes-demonetiation-black-money-4439341/|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="UP CS">{{Cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/former-up-chief-secretary-arrested/506586|title=Former UP Chief Secretary arrested|date=25 September 2007|website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=27 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228031824/http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/former-up-chief-secretary-arrested/506586|archive-date=28 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and a [[Principal secretary (India)|principal secretary]]<ref name="CBI Chhattisgarh IAS">{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cbi-books-senior-chhattisgarh-ias-officer-for-corruption/articleshow/57237613.cms|title=CBI books senior Chhattisgarh IAS officer for corruption|last=Chauhan|first=Neeraj|date=19 February 2017|oclc=23379369|website=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827090244/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cbi-books-senior-chhattisgarh-ias-officer-for-corruption/articleshow/57237613.cms|archive-date=27 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PS Delhi">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajendra-kumar-suspended-delhi-government-arvind-kejriwal-aap-corruption-2898360/|title=Delhi government suspends Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar|last=Kaushika|first=Pragya|date=7 July 2016|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145431/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajendra-kumar-suspended-delhi-government-arvind-kejriwal-aap-corruption-2898360/|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="D PS">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/arvind-kejriwal-principal-secretary-rajendra-kumar-cbi-graft-corruption-case/|title=Arvind Kejriwal's principal secretary, four others arrested in graft case|date=4 July 2016|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145047/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/arvind-kejriwal-principal-secretary-rajendra-kumar-cbi-graft-corruption-case/|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> have been arrested in cases of graft or money laundering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-court-summons-ias-officer-as-accused-in-graft-case-4496812/|title=Delhi court summons IAS officer as accused in graft case|date=29 January 2017|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121071352/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-court-summons-ias-officer-as-accused-in-graft-case-4496812/|archive-date=21 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ias-officer-arrested-fined-rs-50-lakh-for-graft/article5179577.ece|title=IAS officer arrested, fined Rs. 50 lakh for graft|date=28 September 2013|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|website=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=[[N. Ram]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915055055/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ias-officer-arrested-fined-rs-50-lakh-for-graft/article5179577.ece|archive-date=15 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS Swindle">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1161222/jsp/frontpage/story_126150.jsp|title=Top IAS named in grants swindle|author=Ramashankar|date=21 December 2017|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|location=[[Patna]]|oclc=271717941|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819144005/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1161222/jsp/frontpage/story_126150.jsp|archive-date=19 August 2017}}</ref> IAS officers have been found amassing disproportionate assets and wealth varying from {{INRConvert|200|c|year=2020|lk=on}},<ref name="IAS Wealth"/> to {{INRConvert|800|c|lk=on|year=2020}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rs-800-cr-seized-in-raids-on-senior-andhra-transport-dept-official/story-z66OdHqOV7h16NFpHZkioJ.html|title=Rs 800 cr seized in raids on senior Andhra transport dept official|date=30 April 2016|work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref name="IAS Wealth">{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ias-officer-with-rs-80000-salary-has-rs-200-cr-wealth/1/339366.html|title=IAS officer with Rs 80,000 salary has Rs 200 cr wealth|date=23 January 2014|issn=0254-8399|website=[[India Today]]|location=[[Pune]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827221936/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ias-officer-with-rs-80000-salary-has-rs-200-cr-wealth/1/339366.html|archive-date=27 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="IAS MP Joshi">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/mp-corruption-charges-framed-against-arvind-tinoo-joshi/story-vnqXaxsk99AZ8rKJYYHnVM.html|title=MP: Corruption charges framed against Arvind, Tinoo Joshi|date=30 November 2016|oclc=231696742|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|issn=0972-0243|location=[[Bhopal]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813183047/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/mp-corruption-charges-framed-against-arvind-tinoo-joshi/story-vnqXaxsk99AZ8rKJYYHnVM.html|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016 it was reported that the Government would provide the means to prosecute corrupt IAS officers,<ref name="IAS Center prosecution">{{Cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/centre-to-empower-common-man-to-punish-corrupt-babus/articleshow/53322026.cms|title=Centre to empower common man to punish corrupt babus|date=21 July 2016|oclc=61311680|website=[[The Economic Times]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813192345/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/centre-to-empower-common-man-to-punish-corrupt-babus/articleshow/53322026.cms|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> with the [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]] agreeing to receive requests from private citizens seeking punitive measures against IAS officers even without supporting documentation.<ref name="IAS Center prosecution" />

In 2017, a [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] special court in [[Delhi]] sentenced a former [[Secretary to the Government of India|Union Coal Secretary]] and two other IAS officers to two years in prison for their involvement in the [[Indian coal allocation scam|coal allocation scam]].<ref name="IAS Coal Scam">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/coal-scam-former-coal-secretary-h-c-gupta-two-other-ias-officers-get-two-years-in-jail-4668715/|title=Coal scam: Former coal secretary H C Gupta, two other IAS officers get two years in jail|last=Thakuria|first=Anindya|date=23 May 2017|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819144358/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/coal-scam-former-coal-secretary-h-c-gupta-two-other-ias-officers-get-two-years-in-jail-4668715/|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS Coal Scam 2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170520/jsp/nation/story_152592.jsp|title=IAS trio convicted in coal scam|date=19 May 2017|website=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|oclc=271717941|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819185633/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170520/jsp/nation/story_152592.jsp|archive-date=19 August 2017}}</ref>

In 2017 it was reported by the Department of Personnel and Training, part of the [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]], that, since 2014, one IAS officer was prematurely retired from service, ten IAS officers had been deemed to have resigned, five had their pensions cut, and a further eight IAS officers suffered a cut in remuneration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/8927381_133-officers-given-premature-retirement--Govt.html|title=133 officers given premature retirement: Govt|date=27 July 2017|website=[[Press Trust of India]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902181208/http://www.ptinews.com/news/8927381_133-officers-given-premature-retirement--Govt.html|archive-date=2 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS MoP 24 IAS">{{Cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/381-babus-including-24-ias-punished-personnel-ministry-to-pm-modi/articleshow/59754108.cms|title=381 babus, including 24 IAS, punished: Personnel ministry to PM Modi|date=25 July 2017|oclc=61311680|website=[[The Economic Times]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829155919/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/381-babus-including-24-ias-punished-personnel-ministry-to-pm-modi/articleshow/59754108.cms|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS NP">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/8305753_Senior-IAS-officer-sacked-for-non-performance.html|title=Senior IAS officer sacked for non-performance|date=18 January 2017|website=[[Press Trust of India]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813190705/http://www.ptinews.com/news/8305753_Senior-IAS-officer-sacked-for-non-performance.html|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IAS surrender">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/dismissed-ias-officer-arvind-joshi-who-was-on-the-run-surrenders/|title=Dismissed IAS officer Arvind Joshi, who was on the run, surrenders|last=Ghatwai|first=Milind|date=16 September 2015|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Indian Express Group]]|location=[[Bhopal]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813183458/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/dismissed-ias-officer-arvind-joshi-who-was-on-the-run-surrenders/|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018 the [[Minister of State|Union minister of state]] for [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions|personnel, public grievances and pensions]], [[Jitendra Singh (politician, born 1956)|Jitendra Singh]], informed the [[Lok Sabha]] that disciplinary proceedings were underway against 36 IAS officers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/disciplinary-action-against-36-ias-officers-says-centre/article22368222.ece|title=Disciplinary action against 36 IAS officers, says Centre|date=4 January 2018|issn=0971-751X|publisher=[[N. Ram]]|oclc=13119119|website=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106202002/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/disciplinary-action-against-36-ias-officers-says-centre/article22368222.ece|archive-date=6 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] arrested two [[district magistrate]]s in connection with an illegal arms license distribution scandal in the then Jammu & Kashmir state.<ref name="CBI IAS JK">{{cite news |title=CBI arrests two IAS officers in Jammu & Kashmir arms licence scandal|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cbi-arrests-two-ias-officers-in-jammu-kashmir-arms-licence-scandal/articleshow/74429754.cms|work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=March 2020 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>

During year 2020–21, 581 corruption charges were filed against IAS officers.<ref name="IAS 581">{{cite web |title=581 corruption charges filed against IAS officers in 2020-21: Govt|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/581-corruption-charges-filed-against-ias-officers-in-2020-21-govt-11615370745351.html|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=10 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref> Further, a total of 753 complaints were received against the IAS officers in 2019-20 and 643 in 2018–19.<ref name="IAS 581" />

Former IAS officer and [[List of governors of the Reserve Bank of India|RBI governor]] [[Duvvuri Subbarao|D. Subbarao]] said ''25% IAS officers are corrupt, incompetent or inefficient; middle 50% started well but have become complacent and only 25% are truly delivering'', while discussing his book with the media platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=25% IAS officers corrupt, incompetent, or inefficient; middle 50% complacent: D Subbarao |url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/enterprise/25-ias-officers-corrupt-incompetent-or-inefficient-middle-50-complacent-d-subbarao/116843 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=www.fortuneindia.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Abandonment of service===
In June 2015, ''[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]'' reported that twelve IAS officers had gone missing, and had not reported to either the union or the state government for their allocated cadre.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150614/jsp/frontpage/story_25696.jsp|title=Mystery of the missing IAS dozen|last=Siddiqui|first=Imran Ahmed|date=13 June 2015|oclc=271717941|website=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902183319/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150614/jsp/frontpage/story_25696.jsp|archive-date=2 September 2017}}</ref> It was believed that they were working in foreign countries for companies such as [[Microsoft]] for more lucrative pay.<ref name=":3" /> ''[[The Asian Age]]'' later reported that the services of three of the twelve officers were likely to be terminated due to "prolonged absence from service".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/3-ias-officers-likely-face-termination-001|title=3 UP IAS officers likely to face termination|last=Verma|first=Amita|date=13 November 2015|website=[[The Asian Age]]|location=[[Lucknow]]|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902185745/http://www.asianage.com/india/3-ias-officers-likely-face-termination-001|archive-date=2 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Misuse of reservation===
Several IAS officers have been accused of misuse of reservation by means of submitting fraudulent documents and certificates, especially for disability or caste. This has led to their dismissal or suspension, even jail time for fraud. This has denied fair opportunities to deserving candidates who are truly poor and meritorious.

In July 2024, Abhishek Singh, a former IAS officer of 2011 batch was investigated over the veracity of his disability certificate. He had claimed the LD category reservation which includes conditions such as cerebral palsy, leprosy-cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-16 |title=Ex-IAS officer Abhishek Singh faces scrutiny over disability claim after Puja Khedkar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ex-ias-officer-abhishek-singh-faces-scrutiny-over-disability-claim-after-puja-khedkar/articleshow/111743616.cms |access-date=2025-12-19 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

In August 2024, Ravi Kumar Sihag, an IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh was investigated for falsifying his documents to avail the EWS reservation meant for economically backward applicants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet IAS Officer, who cleared UPSC exam in 4th attempt, now in legal trouble due to..., he is.. |url=https://www.india.com/education/meet-ias-officer-who-cleared-upsc-exam-in-4th-attempt-now-in-legal-trouble-due-to-he-is-ravi-kumar-sihag-7854032/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=www.india.com |language=en}}</ref> Sihag has been accused of transferring multiple acres of land to a relative to avail the EWS quota defrauding the selection committee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet IAS Officer, who cleared UPSC exam in 4th attempt, now in legal trouble due to..., he is.. |url=https://www.india.com/education/meet-ias-officer-who-cleared-upsc-exam-in-4th-attempt-now-in-legal-trouble-due-to-he-is-ravi-kumar-sihag-7854032/ |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=www.india.com |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2024, Puja Khedkar, an IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre from the 2023 batch, was dismissed and investigated, after she was found to have submitted fraudulent caste and disability documents and certificates.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.livemint.com/news/india/how-puja-khedkar-fraudulently-availed-upsc-attempts-beyond-limit-not-only-changed-her-name-but-also-11722427775396.html|title= How Puja Khedkar ’fraudulently’ availed UPSC attempts beyond limit: ’Not only changed her name but also...’}}</ref> The [[Union Public Service Commission]] filed a case against her, canceled her candidature, and stated that Khedkar was guilty of acting in contravention of the provisions of the Civil Services Examination-2022 Rules, and that Khedkar allegedly demanded special privileges such as a separate office, house, car, and staff, which she was not entitled to as a probationary officer.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-discharges-puja-khedkar-from-indian-administrative-service/article68617142.ece|title= Puja Khedkar discharged from Indian Administrative Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/features/puja-khedkar-case-misuse-of-beacon-lights-that-opened-a-pandora-s-box-of-alleged-forgery-series-of-court-proceedings-101723090713163.html|title= Puja Khedkar Case: Misuse of beacon lights that opened a pandora’s box of alleged forgery & series of court proceedings}}</ref> In May 2025, Khedkar was granted anticipatory bail by the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]], on the conditions that she co-operate with the law enforcement on the investigation.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-grants-anticipatory-bail-to-former-ias-trainee-officer-puja-khedkar-101747811257928.html#google_vignette|title= Puja Khedkar granted anticipatory bail, SC asks 'has she committed murder?'}}</ref>

==Notable IAS officers==
{{Main|Category:Indian Administrative Service officers}}

[[File:Naresh Chandra July 2012.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Naresh Chandra, former IAS officer and [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|former Cabinet Secretary of India]], is recipient of India's second highest civilian honour.]]

*[[Naresh Chandra]]; a retired 1956 batch IAS officer of [[Rajasthan]] cadre, who served as the [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary of India]], [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary of India]], [[Home Secretary (India)|Home Secretary of India]], [[Water Resource Secretary of India]] and [[List of ambassadors of India to the United States|Indian Ambassador to the United States]].<ref name="ICG">{{Cite web|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4224|title=Naresh Chandra|publisher=[[International Crisis Group]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912061451/http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4224|archive-date=12 September 2009|access-date=23 January 2010}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=10072&PageId=|title=Naresh Chandra – Executive Record Sheet|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505135405/https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=10072&PageId=|archive-date=5 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-man-with-the-clues/article19252946.ece|title=The man with the clues|last=Sood|first=Rakesh|author-link=Rakesh Sood|date=11 July 2017|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=12 January 2018}}</ref> He was awarded India's second-highest [[Orders, decorations, and medals of India|civilian honour]], the [[Padma Vibhushan]], for [[civil service]], in 2007.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/padma-vibhushan-for-nariman-khushwant-nare/21800/|title=Padma Vibhushan for Nariman, Khushwant, Naresh Chandra|date=26 January 2007|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212051329/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/padma-vibhushan-for-nariman-khushwant-nare/21800|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":62">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Padma-Vibhushan-for-Khushwant-Nariman/article14711595.ece|title=Padma Vibhushan for Khushwant, Nariman|date=26 January 2007|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|website=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=12 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=":72">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-padma-vibhushan-for-fali-nariman-khushwant-singh-1076450|title=Padma Vibhushan for Fali Nariman, Khushwant Singh|date=26 January 2007|oclc=801791672|website=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112230153/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-padma-vibhushan-for-fali-nariman-khushwant-singh-1076450|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Narinder Nath Vohra]] (N. N. Vohra); a retired 1959 batch IAS officer of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] cadre and the 12th [[List of governors of Jammu and Kashmir|Governor]] of the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], Vohra was the first civilian [[List of governors of Jammu and Kashmir|Governor of Jammu and Kashmir]] in 18 years since [[Jagmohan]]. Vohra has also served as the [[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India]], [[Home Secretary (India)|Home Secretary of India]], [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary of India]] and [[Secretary to the Government of India|Defence Production Secretary of India]].<ref name=":03">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/vohra-just-the-man-for-kashmir/321751/0|title=Vohra: Just the man for Kashmir|last=Sinha|first=Amitabh|date=12 June 2008|oclc=70274541|website=[[The Indian Express]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=http://jkrajbhawan.nic.in/His%20Excellency/present1.htm|title=Present Governor – N. N. Vohra|website=[[Raj Bhavan (Jammu)|Raj Bhavan]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227134143/http://jkrajbhawan.nic.in/His%20Excellency/present1.htm|archive-date=27 December 2017}}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite web|url=https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=10065&PageId=|title=N N Vohra – Executive Record Sheet|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418162221/https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=10065&PageId=|archive-date=18 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He was awarded India's second-highest [[Orders, decorations, and medals of India|civilian honour]], the [[Padma Vibhushan]], for [[civil service]], in 2007.<ref name=":52" /><ref name=":62" /><ref name=":72" />
* [[T. N. Seshan]]; a retired 1955 batch IAS officer of [[Tamil Nadu]] cadre, notable for enacting significant reforms to electoral oversight in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/culture/people/the-man-who-cleaned-up-india-s-elections-1.1326815|title=The man who cleaned up India's elections|last1=Das|first1=Sanjib Kumar|date=1 May 2014|work=[[Gulf News]]|access-date=1 January 2018|oclc=232115522|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174335/http://gulfnews.com/culture/people/the-man-who-cleaned-up-india-s-elections-1.1326815|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/-the-more-you-kick-me-112051200032_1.html|title=The more you kick me...|last1=Narasimhan|first1=T. E.|date=12 May 2012|oclc=496280002|work=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117160810/http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/-the-more-you-kick-me-112051200032_1.html|archive-date=17 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the 10th [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]] (1990–96), who reformed elections by subduing electoral malpractice throughout the country<ref name="india1">{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/blog/empowering-the-ec_658.html|title=Empowering the EC|last1=Srivastava|first1=Ritesh K.(The Observer)|date=5 March 2012|access-date=19 December 2014|publisher=Zee News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219060007/http://zeenews.india.com/blog/empowering-the-ec_658.html|archive-date=19 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and strengthened the image of the [[Election Commission of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Election-Commissions-neutrality-Will-Zaidi-fit-in-Seshans-shoes/articleshow/49203627.cms|title=Election Commission's neutrality: Will Zaidi fit in Seshan's shoes?|last=Qadir|first=Abdul|date=3 October 2015|oclc=23379369|website=[[The Times of India]]|location=[[Patna]]/[[Gaya, India|Gaya]]|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827132725/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Election-Commissions-neutrality-Will-Zaidi-fit-in-Seshans-shoes/articleshow/49203627.cms|archive-date=27 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.barubian.net/2012/06/time-to-seshan-ec.html|title=Time to 'Seshan' the EC|last1=Anand|first1=R. K.|date=20 June 2012|work=Suara Sarawak|access-date=17 January 2018|publisher=No|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118010515/http://www.barubian.net/2012/06/time-to-seshan-ec.html|archive-date=18 January 2018}}</ref> He previously served as the 18th [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary of India]] in 1989, and later as a member of the [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]]. He was presented the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for [[Public service|government service]] in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rmaward.asia/awardees/seshan-tirunellai-narayanaiyer/|title=Awardees – Seshan, Tirunellai Narayanaiyer|website=[[Ramon Magsaysay Foundation]]|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>
*[[Vinod Rai]]; a retired 1972 batch IAS officer of [[Kerala]] cadre, who served as the 11th [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]]. He is widely considered a symbol of the anti-corruption movement in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/debate-the-quantum-but-dont-deny-theres-been-a-loss/article4684327.ece|title='Debate the quantum but don't deny there's been a loss'|last=Shivakumar|first=Girija|date=5 May 2013|issn=0971-751X|oclc=13119119|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104085109/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/debate-the-quantum-but-dont-deny-theres-been-a-loss/article4684327.ece|archive-date=4 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He also served as the [[Secretary to the Government of India|Financial Services Secretary of India]]. Rai was awarded India's third highest civilian honour, the [[Padma Bhushan]], for [[Civil Services of India|civil service]], in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/ex-cag-vinod-rai-named-for-padma-bhushan-116012501170_1.html|title=Ex-CAG Vinod Rai named for Padma Bhushan|date=25 January 2016|oclc=496280002|website=[[Business Standard]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117190850/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/ex-cag-vinod-rai-named-for-padma-bhushan-116012501170_1.html|archive-date=17 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tkbsen.in/2016/01/former-cag-vinod-rai-gets-padma-bhushan/|title=Former CAG Vinod Rai Gets Padma Bhushan|last=Manisha|first=Sen|date=26 January 2016|website=The Sen Times|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117193824/http://www.tkbsen.in/2016/01/former-cag-vinod-rai-gets-padma-bhushan/|archive-date=17 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-padma-awards-2016-declared-anupam-kher-rajinikanth-vinod-rai-sania-mirza-amongst-winners-2170091|title=Padma awards 2016 declared: Anupam Kher, Rajinikanth, Vinod Rai, Sania Mirza honoured among others {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=25 January 2016|oclc=801791672|website=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|language=en-US|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725184027/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-padma-awards-2016-declared-anupam-kher-rajinikanth-vinod-rai-sania-mirza-amongst-winners-2170091|archive-date=25 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Duvvuri Subbarao]]; a retired 1972 batch IAS officer of [[Andhra Pradesh]] cadre. He served as the 22nd [[List of governors of the Reserve Bank of India|Governor of the Reserve Bank of India]] (RBI). A former [[Finance Secretary (India)|Finance Secretary]] of India, he also served as a member of the [[Economic Advisory Council|Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council]], and as a senior economist in the World Bank. Subbarao's selection as RBI governor in 2008 was coincidental with the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Speeches/PDFs/Speech%20-%20as%20sent-%20Modified%20_4_.pdf|title=Impact of Financial Crisis on India – Collateral Damage & Response|last=Subbarao|first=Duvvuri|website=[[Reserve Bank of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306202249/http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Speeches/PDFs/Speech%20-%20as%20sent-%20Modified%20_4_.pdf|archive-date=6 March 2009|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> His leadership is generally credited with safeguarding the Indian economy through the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2012/10/31/subbarao-an-rbi-governor-who-can-hold-his-own/|title=Subbarao: an RBI governor who can hold his own|last=Lalmalsawma|first=David|date=31 October 2012|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514082020/http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2012/10/31/subbarao-an-rbi-governor-who-can-hold-his-own/|archive-date=14 May 2016}}</ref>
*[[Yogendra Narain]]; a retired 1965 batch IAS officer of [[Uttar Pradesh]] cadre. He is a former Secretary-General of [[Rajya Sabha]],<ref name=":04">{{Cite web|url=https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=10107&PageId=|title=Yogendra Narain – Executive Record Sheet|website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]]|access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/sec_general.pdf|title=BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SECRETARIES – GENERAL|website=[[Rajya Sabha]]|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504122846/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/sec_general.pdf|archive-date=4 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> who also served as the [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary of India]], [[Chief secretary (India)|Chief Secretary]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] as well as [[Secretary to the Government of India|Surface Transport Secretary of India.]]<ref name=":04" /><ref name=":13" /> He was awarded the Dean Paul H. Appleby Award, for distinguished [[Civil Services of India|civil service]], in 2017.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web|url=http://tennews.in/paul-h-appleby-award-to-dr-yogendra-narain/|title=Paul H. Appleby Award To Dr. Yogendra Narain|last=Chauhan|first=Prerit|date=20 October 2017|website=Ten News|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151945/http://tennews.in/paul-h-appleby-award-to-dr-yogendra-narain/|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-lucknow/20171022/281642485414063|title=YOGENDRA NARAIN CONFERRED PAUL H APPLEBY AWARD|date=22 October 2017|website=Press Reader|oclc=231696742|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|location=[[Lucknow]]|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113203027/https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-lucknow/20171022/281642485414063|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://htsyndication.com/htsportal/ht-lucknow/article/yogendra-narain-conferred-paul-h-appleby-award/23728413|title=YOGENDRA NARAIN CONFERRED PAUL H APPLEBY AWARD|date=22 October 2017|website=HT Syndications|oclc=231696742|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|location=[[Lucknow]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020420/http://htsyndication.com/htsportal/ht-lucknow/article/yogendra-narain-conferred-paul-h-appleby-award/23728413|archive-date=14 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Civil Services of India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==

===Books===
{{refbegin|40em}}
*{{Cite book|title=The Service of the State: The IAS Reconsidered|last=Ghose|first=Bhaskar|publisher=[[Penguin Group]]|year=2011|isbn=978-0-670-08381-7|location=[[New Delhi]]|publication-date=9 June 2011|oclc=986241038}}
*{{Cite book|title=Indian Polity: A view of system of administration in India (classic reprint)|last=Chesney|first=George Tomkyns|publisher=Forgotten Books|year=2016|isbn=978-1-333-18764-4|location=[[London]]|publication-date=8 December 2017|oclc=982769345|author-link=George Tomkyns Chesney|orig-date=1870}}
*{{Cite book|title=Indian Administration|last1=Chattopadhyaya|first1=Haraprasad|last2=Baghel|first2=Indu|publisher=Global Vision Publishing House|year=2015|isbn=978-81-8220-713-4|location=[[New Delhi]]|oclc=927511141}}
*{{Cite book|title=Public Administration in India|last=Tummala|first=Krishna Kumar|publisher=Allied Publishers|year=1996|isbn=978-81-7023-590-3|location=[[Mumbai]]|oclc=313439426}}
*{{Cite book|title=Governance in India|last=Laxmikanth|first=M.|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill Education]]|year=2014|isbn=978-93-392-0478-5|edition=2nd|location=[[Noida]]|publication-date=25 August 2014}}
*{{Cite book|title=Public Administration in South Asia: India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan (Public Administration and Public Policy)|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=2013|isbn=978-1-4398-6911-6|editor-last=Sabharwal|editor-first=Meghna|location=[[Abingdon-on-Thames]]|oclc=1004349979|editor-last2=Berman|editor-first2=Evan M.}}
*{{cite book|title=Public Personnel Administration: Theory and Practice|last1=Goel|first1=S.L.|last2=Rajneesh|first2=Shalini|publisher=Deep and Deep Publications|others=Foreword by [[Vasundhara Raje]]|year=2002|isbn=978-81-7629-395-2|location=[[Delhi]]|oclc=51300460}}
*{{Cite book|title=Bureaucracy on Wheels: Trauma of Transfers in the Indian Administrative Service|last=Saxena|first=Vaishali|publisher=Aalekh Publishers|year=2003|isbn=978-81-87359-21-0|location=[[Jaipur]]|oclc=191202280}}
*{{Cite book|title=Government And Politics In South Asia|last1=Malik|first1=Yogendra K.|last2=Kennedy|first2=Charles H.|last3=Oberst|first3=Robert C.|last4=Kapur|first4=Ashok|last5=Lawoti|first5=Mahendra|last6=Rahman|first6=Syedur|publisher=[[Westview Press]] (now [[Routledge]])|year=2001|isbn=978-0-8133-3901-6|edition=5th|location=[[Boulder, Colorado]]|publication-date=7 September 2001|oclc=945072906}}
{{refend}}

===Papers===
{{refbegin|40em}}
*{{Cite web |url=http://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/BaswanReport.pdf |title=To take a comprehensive look at the requirement of IAS officers over a longer time frame |last1=Baswan |first1=B. S. |last2=Barik |first2=R. K. |year=2016 |website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Government of India]] |publisher=[[Indian Institute of Public Administration]] |location=[[New Delhi]] |access-date=23 January 2018 |last3=Ali |first3=Akber |last4=Singh |first4=Pankaj Kumar}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Banik |first=Dan |date=1 June 2001 |title=The transfer raj: Indian civil servants on the move |journal=The European Journal of Development Research |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=106–134 |doi=10.1080/09578810108426783 |s2cid=154680293 |issn=0957-8811 |oclc=55042966}}
*{{Cite web |url=http://carnegieendowment.org/files/CEIP_CP28x_Vaishnav-Khosla_Final_1.pdf |title=The Indian Administrative Service Meets Big Data |last1=Vaishnav |first1=Milan |last2=Khosla |first2=Saksham |date=1 September 2016 |website=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] |access-date=19 September 2017}}
*{{Cite book |title=Government Employment and Pay: A Global and Regional Perspective |last1=Schiavo-Campo |first1=Salvatore |last2=Tommaso |first2=de Giulio |last3=Mukherjee |first3=Amitabha |publisher=[[World Bank]] |year=1999 |location=[[Washington D. C.]] |oclc=913715804}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book |title=The Steel Frame: Indian Civil Service Since 1860 |last=Arora |first=Keshav Chandra |publisher=Sanchar Publishing House |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-7203-034-6 |location=[[New Delhi]] |oclc=605601059}}
*{{Cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/pm-modi-ias-india-changing-chalta-hai-5004287/ |title=Changing chalta hai |last1=Natarajan |first1=Gulzar |last2=Subbarao |first2=Duvvuri |author-link2=Duvvuri Subbarao |date=30 December 2017 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |oclc=70274541 |access-date=26 January 2018}}
*{{Cite book |title=Public Administration in India: The Higher Civil Service |last=Maheswari |first=S. R. |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-19-568376-9 |location=[[Delhi]] |publication-date=5 June 2006 |oclc=820503225}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

*[http://civillist.ias.nic.in/IndexCL.htm Civil list of Indian Administrative Service officers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301031027/http://civillist.ias.nic.in/IndexCL.htm |date=1 March 2018 }} ''as maintained by Department of Personnel and Training of [[Government of India]]''.
*[http://persmin.gov.in/supremohelp/KnowYourOfficerIas.htm Executive record sheets of IAS Officers] by ''Department of Personnel and Training of [[Government of India]]''.

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