Role of an IAS Officer: Power, Duties & Job Profile

IAS full form is Indian Administrative Service. The role of an IAS officer is important to India’s government and management. An IAS officer is a well-respected government officer in India. The IAS officer’s power and duties are responsible for putting government policies and programs into action. The IAS work is to maintain law and order, improve public services, and positively change our communities. They run the administrative side of things in different government offices and ministries in India.

The UPSC holds the Civil Services Examination every year to find new officers for the IAS. The IAS was set up in 1946. They manage and execute government policies and programs that benefit the public. These officers are like the backbone of governance, ensuring things run smoothly and efficiently. An IAS officer’s salary and benefits make it a popular career choice among youth.  This blog will discuss the role of an IAS officer.

What are the Duties and Role of an IAS Officer?

Many young people want to become IAS officers, but with a job comes tasks and responsibilities. Your question of, what is the work of IAS officer? is answered here.

The role of an IAS officer includes implementing government policies, managing administrative functions, overseeing development programs, and ensuring public welfare. They handle law and order, address public grievances, and contribute to crisis management and policy advice. Their work involves strategic planning, coordinating with other agencies, and ensuring efficient governance and delivery of services to the public.

The main role of an IAS officer is listed as follows:

• They closely monitor how the union government’s policies are implemented. This may necessitate an IAS officer traveling to various locations to ensure everything works as planned. The next stage is for them to express their thoughts to the minister.
• They ensure that the money provided by the public is utilized wisely. If there are any issues, they must report to the minister.
• IAS officers must keep the district, state, or territory quiet and safe during natural disasters or riots. They are the only persons to contact in a natural or intentional disaster.

Role-Specific IAS Officer Duties

The common role of an IAS officer & duties are discussed as follows:

1. Sub-Divisional Level

IAS officers in charge of a sub-division are called sub-divisional magistrates. The role of an IAS officer in this position is to keep the rules and the peace. It is also their job to monitor the general growth and handle administrative issues under their authority.

For example, implementing government policies effectively can be an administrative challenge. IAS officers need to ensure that policies and programs are implemented as intended. They also have to monitor progress and address any issues during implementation.

2. District Level

The next step in an IAS officer’s job is becoming the District Magistrate, District Collector, or Deputy Commissioner. Their jobs are still the same as at the sub-divisional level.

However, Their main IAS job profile is ensuring policies are carried out, supervised, and watched. They must also handle the administrative and growth work.

3. State Level

IAS officers are moved up to run things at the state level. They could also work of IAS officer as a bureaucrat in a state office. They can also run departments as department heads. At this point, their understanding of the field comes in handy.

4. Public Sector Undertakings

Your role of an IAS officer work in a government-owned Public Sector Undertaking in a high-level administrative role. IAS officers can hold key positions to oversee and regulate PSUs. They may be involved in policy-making, decision-making, and monitoring of the performance of PSUs.

5. Central Level

This is a major position and a great IAS officer work. They can serve as Cabinet Secretary, Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary, or Under Secretary.

Responsibilities of an IAS Officer

Now the question arises, what is role of an IAS officer for society? An IAS officer is in charge of keeping the peace, collecting taxes, and running the place they are assigned to.

Some of the main IAS officer work or responsibilities are:

• Receipt of revenue.
• Serve as courts when it comes to money issues.
• Keep law and order.
• Serve as the Chief Magistrate.
• Watching over how State and Central Government plans are put into place.
• Monitor how public money is spent to ensure it is done right.
• IAS Officers work with ministers from different departments to make and carry out policies that run the day-to-day business of the government.
• They are also responsible for autonomous organizations, PSUs, UN organizations, foreign organizations like the World Bank and Asian Development Banks, subordinate organizations, etc.
• They also work as secretaries for politicians in the central government.

IAS Officer Powers and Duties

The role of an IAS officer is to make, carry out, and oversee government-controlled policies. Laws like the Essential Commodities Act, the Drug Licenses Act, and the Arms Act allow IAS officers to implement rules in various situations.

• The IPC of Criminal Procedure (1973) gives IAS Officers the power to keep law and order in sections 107–110, 133, 144, and 176.
  
• The National Crisis Management Act tells Chief Secretaries and Magistrates what they can do to help with crisis relief. The Arms Act, the Drug Licensing Act, the Essential Commodities Act, and other laws say that IAS officials can enforce rules in certain situations.

These are the main laws that deal with IAS officer powers and duties. There are nearly 300 laws that describe IAS powers on a case-by-case basis.

Also Read: Tips for Civil Service Aspirants to Crack IAS

Career Path of an IAS Officer

IAS Officers get a great job because of how hard they work and how well they plan. The training they get at LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration) is the first step in their lives. They move up to positions with more responsibility. Here, we give a chronological order of posts of IAS officers after clearing the exams:

• Phase I Training at LBSNAA.
• District Level Training.
• Phase 2 Training At LBSNAA.
• Serving as Assistant Secretary for three years.
• Joint Magistrate/ Sub Collector/ SDM.
• Municipal Commissioner, DDO/ CDO.
• Director at State Secretariats/ Joint Secretary.
• Position of Central or State Secretariat’s Additional Secretary.
• Chief Secretary.
• Cabinet Secretary.

Routines of IAS Trainees at LBSNAA

Here are more details about the IAS working hours for the LBSNAA IAS.  This program lasts two years and has many parts, such as a groundwork course, phase 1 training, Bharat darshan, and others.

Foundation Course

Everyone who wants to become a Grade A officer is recommended to take a three-month course at LBSNAA.

Phase 1

During their 15 weeks of training, candidates go on a Bharat Darshan tour to learn about India’s many different cultures. All of the IAS Officers are split into smaller groups for this tour.

District Training

IAS officers join a district administration for a year to learn its policies, programs, and administrative structure.

Phase 2

Officers discuss phase 1 training with coworkers. IAS officers can discuss their opinions, discover common ground, and learn through these forums.

Assistant Secretaryship

After training, IAS work under the joint secretary for a few months in their departments.

Also Read: Best Tips for Civil Service Aspirants to Crack IAS

Salary and Perks of IAS

The 7th Central Wage Commission recommended a starting pay of Rs 56100 for IAS recruits. The Cabinet Secretary of the Union earns Rs. 250000.

Perks Of IAS

The role of an IAS officer brings you many benefits:

• Housing that is paid for by the government. In India, district-level jobs have the best living conditions of any government job.
• We send cooks and workers to help around the house based on what is needed.
• There are different kinds of security coverage.
• Pay for cell phones, the internet, and landlines are paid back.
• You can stay for free in government bungalows and rest houses during work.
• IAS officers get a monthly pension based on their rank and number of years of work when they retire.

Conclusion: Influential Journey of an IAS Officer

IAS is a job with the All India Service. You might always think, what is the role of an IAS officer in making changes? By becoming an IAS member, a person can help people. It is a secure job with a lot of perks and benefits.

Despite the challenges they face, IAS officers play a crucial role in ensuring effective governance and making a positive impact on society. The role of an IAS officer is highly respected. Their dedication and expertise contribute to the progress and development of the country. If you aspire to become an IAS officer, remember that it requires hard work, continuous learning, and a strong commitment to serving the nation

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive in to our guide on Career Advice.

Other Related Reads:

• Difference between IAS and IES | Guide to UPSC
• IAS Exam (Prelims Results Out)2023: Latest News, Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Application
• 10 Effective Tips for IAS Preparation at Home

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