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What is the role of IAS Officer?

About IAS exam

IAS or the Indian Administrative Service is one of the Premier Government Services that is among the best career opportunities for the aspiring candidates. The main duties of an IAS Officer is to maintain Law and order, manage administrative matters and implement Government schemes and policies.

The IAS is one of the most sought after job options as it comes with excellent salary options, perks and promotions. Interested candidates must appear for the Civil Services Exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The IAS exam consists of three stages- Prelims, Mains and Interview round. Candidates who clear all the three rounds of the exam have to undergo training before joining the service.


Best qualities to become an IAS Officer

  • Hard working and Committed

  • Compassionate

  • Judgment skills

  • Responsible

  • Transparent

  • Knowledgeable

  • Patriotic

  • Decision-making skills

  • IAS roles and responsibilities

The main role of an IAS Officer is managing the different affairs of the Government including Administrative, maintenance of law and order, documentation and Staff Management. The duties of IAS Officer can be divided into 3 broad categories:

  • Field work

  • State Secretariat/Public Sector undertaking

  • Central Secretariat

What is the role of an IAS Officer in different categories?


  • Field work:- This category is allotted to the IAS candidate immediately after the training and is considered as one of the toughest duties of IAS Officer as the postings are in areas where there is a lack of basic resources.

  • Central and State Secretariat- During Central Secretariat postings the role of IAS Officer is to formulate and implement different Central Government policies. The duties and responsibilities of an IAS Officer working for State Secretariat Assignments include serving as higher Management in PSUs and providing guidance to elected representatives.

Main duties of an IAS Officer


  • Managing and implementing State and Central Government policies.

  • Allocating funds as per the Government schemes.

  • Conduct developmental programs in a district.

  • Working as the Head of Department of the District Development Association.

  • Participate as the policy and decision-making process of the undersecretary.

  • Responsible for income recovery, functioning of tax courts and expenditure of Public funds.

  • Managing developmental work and maintaining law and order.

  • IAS Officers posted as PSU cadres can be a part of the higher Management in Industries or Power discoms.

  • Participate in decision making processes as the undersecretary.

  • Respond and Coordinate relief operations.

  • Management of the Staff and evaluate reports based on their services.

  • Provide valuable feedback for the Government decision -making process.

Steps to become an IAS Officer

Those of you who are interested to know What is the role of an IAS Officer must also be aware of the steps to become an IAS Officer.


  • Step 1:- The first step and the main eligibility criteria for the IAS Officer is that he/she must complete the 3 year Bachelor Degree program in any stream from a recognized Institute. Candidates from any stream (Arts/Science/Commerce/Technology)) can become an IAS Officer.

  • Step 2:- The next step to become an IAS Officer is that the candidate must qualify the Civil Services exam conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Graduates can apply for the UPSC exams in their preferred area of service that include- IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS(Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), IRS (Indian Revenue Service), etc.

Details of the Civil Services Exam

There are 3 stages of the UPSC exam that are qualifying in nature. These are


  • Preliminary exam (Objective type test)

  • Main Exam (Written Test)

  • Personality Test (Interview Round). Candidates who qualify all the three levels of the exam will be selected for the post of IAS Officers.

The minimum age limit of the candidates to appear for the IAS exam is 21 years. Candidates belonging to the general category can attempt the Mains exam 6 times with a maximum age limit of 32 years. SC/ST candidates can attempt an unlimited number of times till 37 years while OBC candidates can attempt the exams 9 times till 35 years.


Career path of an IAS Officer

Given below is the career path of the IAS officer starting from the probationary period. On completion of probation, the duties and responsibilities of the IAS Officer becomes diverse based upon the allotted cadre.


Assistant Secretary

This tenure is for 3 months. An Assistant Secretary coordinates meetings and maintains the administrative duties of the office


Municipal Commissioner, DDO/CDO

The IAS roles and responsibilities of Municipal Commissioner is to sign bills that are passed by the Municipality, preside over meetings and seminars, prevent corruption and present the annual budget of the city.


District Magistrate/Collector

The duties of an IAS Officer as DM/Collector is collection of land revenue, maintaining law and order of the district and heading the prosecuting agency.


Principal Secretary/Additional Secretary

The duties of an IAS Officer as a Principal Secretary is to advise Ministers on matters of policy and administration of the department.


Chief Secretary of a State

The Chief Secretary of a State is the Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister and also works as a bridge between the CM and the State Government. The Chief Secretary is also in control of the Cabinet Secretariat.


Cabinet Secretary of India

The Cabinet Secretary is the topmost rank of the Indian Administrative Services. He/she acts as the main coordinator of the Civil Services. The Cabinet Secretary also advises the Prime Minister and provides assistance to the Council of Ministers.


IAS Officer salary

An IAS Officer is entitled to a very good salary option along with several other allowances like traveling allowance, dearness allowance and house rent allowance. Apart from this there are several perks and benefits during the entire tenure. As per the 7th Pay Commission, the starting salary of the IAS Officer is INR 56,100. There are a total of 18 levels of payment of the IAS Officer with the Cabinet Secretary getting a maximum payment of INR 2,50,000.During the probationary training period the IAS Officer gets an average salary of INR 33,000 to INR 35,000. After a service of 8 years, an IAS Officer gets approximately INR 1,31,000 per annum. An IAS Officer is entitled to quick promotions and increments among all other Departments in the Government Service.










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