Indian Civil service overview

Indian Civil Service background:

In a vast country like India, a well organized administration is very important. We have defense services to look after our security and we have Indian Civil Services to look after our non-military part.

It was during the colonial rule of the British government when the powerful Indian Civil Service was built. Though initially, Indian Civil Service was considered as a tool for British domination, our great freedom fighters later realized its importance after India’s independence in 1947. They realized how important it is to have a highly qualified administration in place to run a country where social unrest can affect our national integrity and security.

The first Public Service Commission was set on 1st October 1926 by the then British Indian Government. This was set up on demand of our then Indian politicians to have a superior and indianized civil service. Unfortunately, this Public Service Commission failed to satisfy parties’ demand that were related to the freedom struggle. This was mainly due to its limited advisory functions.  The British Indian government then set up a Federal Public Service Commission and suggested the development of provincial level Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act 1935.

After 26th Jan 1950, the Federal Public Service Commission was given an independent status and titled as Union Public Service Commission Constitutional Provisions. This was done to ensure impartial recruitment to civil services and protection of civil interest. The aim was to ensure consistent and fair standards of administration in all the fields, encourage efficient harmonization in social and economic development, and support the national point of view.

Union Public Service Commission Constitutional Provisions:

The team:

Established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India, The Union Public Service Commission consists of Chairman and ten members. Their terms and conditions are governed by the Union Public Service Commission (Members) Regulations, 1969. The Commission is serviced by a Secretariat headed by a Secretary with two Additional Secretaries, a number of Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and other supporting staff.

Duties under the Constitution:

The key role played by the Union Public Service Commission is to select persons to operate the various Central Civil Services and Posts and the Services common to the Union and States.

Recruitment to services & posts under the Union by conducting competitive exams.

Recruitment to services & posts under the Central Government by interview.

Advisory role on the suitability of officers for appointment on promotion as well as transfer-on-deputation.

Advisor to the Government on all matters relating to methods of Recruitment to various services and posts.

Disciplinary cases relating to different civil services

Miscellaneous matters relating to grant of extra ordinary pensions, reimbursement of legal expenses etc.

Recruitment procedure:

As per Article 320 of the Constitution of India, it is important that the Union Public Service Commission is consulted on all matters relating to recruitment to civil services and posts.

Recruitment to the post of Indian civil services is undertaken via following method:

Direct Recruitment

Promotion

Transfer

Direct Recruitment:

Direct recruitment can be organized either via competitive examination or through interview.

Recruitment via competitive exams:

One of the major functions of the Union Public Service Commission is to conduct exams to appoint for the post of Indian Civil Services. Exams are also held in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence for certain Defence services through National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and the Officers Training Academy.

Every year dozens of examinations are conducted on all India basis. The recruitment mainly involves in the field of Civil Services, Engineering, Medical and Forest Service, etc.

Recruitment via interview:

Again there are two methods in this selection procedure:

By Interview Only:

It is very difficult to call all the candidates for the interview when there are large numbers of applications. In such case, Union Public Service Commission shortlists the best candidates based on the nature of the job and call them for the interview.

By Written Test Followed By Interview:

This involves:

An objective-type written and/or practical test, followed by an Interview. The final decision depends on the performance in the interview and the test.

An objective-type written and/or practical test to screen candidates to be called for interview. The final decision depends on the performance in interview only.

Promotion/Deputation/Transfer:

As per the procedure decided by the Government, in consultation with the Commission, Chairman or a Member of the Commission presides over the Departmental Promotion Committee Meetings to consider promotions from Group B to Group A and from one grade to another within group A, where promotion is to be made by Selection.

The Recruitment Rules for a number of posts provide for appointment by Transfer on Deputation (including short term contract) and Transfer. When the field of consideration consists of Central Government as well as State Government officers, prior consultation with the Commission is necessary for selection of an officer. When the file for consideration is made more broad-based and consists of not only Central/State Government officers but also officers from Non-Government Institutions, the selection has to be made in consultation with the Union Public Service Commission.

Examinations Conducted by Union Public Service Commission:

Following is an overview of Indian Civil Service examinations help:

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (In May)

Civil Services (Main) Examination (In Oct/Nov)

Indian Forest Service Examination (In July)

Engineering Services Examination (In June)

Geologist Examination (in December)

Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination (In July)

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (In April & September)

Combined Defence Services Examination (In February & August)

Combined Medical Services Examination (In January)

Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination (In November)

Section Officers/Stenographers (Grade-B/Grade-I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (In December)

Central Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination (In October)

Exam attempts for Indian Civil Service jobs:

Every candidate is allowed to attempt 4 times in the Indian Civil Service jobs. Other Backward Classes can have 7 attempts and no restrictions for scheduled caste candidates.

Eligibility for Indian Civil Service jobs:

Applicant should be between 21 and 30 years of age as on August 1st every year.

Candidates belonging to scheduled caste have a relaxation to the age limit for five years.

Candidates belonging to defence services personnel disabled in operations, have a relaxation to the age limit for three years.

Ex-servicemen including commissioned officer, have a relaxation to the age limit for five years.

Qualities required for Indian Civil Service jobs:

Intelligence

Interest in different subjects

Mental alertness

Leadership qualities

Diplomatic skills

Remuneration/Salary for Indian Civil Service jobs

(Approximate value)

Junior Officers: Rs. 8000-275-13500

Senior Officers: Rs. 10650-325-15200

Junior Administrative Grade: Rs. 12,750-375-16,500

Selection Grade: Rs. 15,100-400-18,300

Additional Secretary: Rs. 22400-525-24500

Secretary/Cabinet Secretary: Rs. 26,000/30,000

Apart from regular salary, employees of Indian Civil Service also enjoy various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, City compensatory Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, Medical and subsidized housing.

Fee:

The fee for the exam of Indian Civil Service jobs is Rs 50, to be paid through Central Recruitment Fee stamps available at post offices. The post office must cancel the stamps so that the impression of the cancellation stamp partially overflows on the application form. Instruments such as postal orders, drafts and such are not accepted and candidates should only send the fee through the Recruitment Fee stamps. Candidates belonging to the scheduled castes and physically handicapped persons are not required to pay any fee.

List of Indian Civil Service jobs:

Following are the Indian Civil Service post for which recruitments are conducted:

Indian Administrative Service.

Indian Foreign Service.

Indian Police Service.

Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group 'A'.

Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group 'A'.

Indian Customs and Central Excise Service, Group 'A'.

Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group `A'.

Indian Revenue Service, Group 'A'.

Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group `A' (Assistant Manager, Non-technical)

Indian Postal Service, Group `A'.

Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group `A'.

Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group 'A'.

Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group `A'.

Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group 'A'.

Posts of Assistant Security Officer, Group `A' in Railway Protection Force.

Indian Defence Estates Service, Group `A'.

Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group `A'.

Indian Trade Service, Group `A' (Grade III).

Posts of Assistant Commandant, Group' A' in the Central Industrial Security Force.

Posts of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Group `A' in the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Central Secretariat Service, Group `B' (Section Officers Grade).

Railway Board Secretariat Service, Group `B' (Section Officers Grade).

Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group `B' [Assistant Civilian Staff Officers Grade).

Customs Appraisers' Service, Group `B'.

Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group 'B'.

Pondicherry Civil Service, Group `B'.

Indian Civil Service Examination:

The Indian Civil Service Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission every year.The announcement is made in November-December, followed by the first stage elimination in May-June; the results are announced in July-August. The second stage is held in October-November and the final stage is help in March-April next year.

The 3 stage selection for Indian Civil Service Exams includes:

Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

Main Examination

Interview Test

Preliminary Examination for Indian Civil Service jobs  (Prelims):

Preliminary Examination is conducted for the selection of candidates for the Main Examination.
The Prelims consist of two objective type papers that are multiple choice questions each carrying 150 and 300 marks each, therby totaling to 450.

Paper- I  :  General Studies => 150 Marks

Paper-I I : One of the optional subjects from the prescribed optional subjects => 300 Marks