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The Indian Civil Services are organized into two main sections. These are the All India Services and the Central Services.
Officers of the All India Services, on appointment by the Government of India, are placed at the disposal of the different State Governments. These services include :
Officers of the Central Services, on the other hand, wherever they might be posted, serve the Government of India only. Central Services are of two types-Groups A&B.
Group A Central Services comprise various different services/ posts. These include:
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The Indian Police Service (IPS)
A number of Central Policing Agencies are also headed by the IPS. These include: the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Cabinet Secretariat Security, the Border Security Force (BSF), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Indian Forest Service (IFtS)
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
Indian Customs and Central Excise Service
The Indian Railway Service
Entry into the IAS, IPS and the Central Services, Group A and Group B is through the All India Combined Competitive Examination for the Civil Services. However, recruitment to the Indian Forest Service is through a different procedure. Application forms appear in all the daily newspapers and the Rozgar Samachar/ Employment News in December each year. Advertisements regarding the Indian Forest Service Examination appear in the month of January / February. The examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi in different centres spread all over the country. For the State level services, however, the examination is conducted by the State Public Service Commissions (SPSC), in each state. Eligibility: Candidates applying for the Civil Services must be Indian nationals (between 21 and 28 years old) as on August 1, and for the Forest Service, as on July 1 of the year of the examination. In order to appear for the combined services examination, the candidate must have at least a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. In order to apply for the Forest Service, a candidate must have a Bachelor's degree in any of the science subjects. Selection: Selection for the combined civil services takes place in three stages : A preliminary examination, a main examination, and a personality test.
The preliminary examination is a written test comprising of two papers. It is conducted every year in the month of June.
The first paper (general studies) carries a maximum score of 150 points on 150 questions, with a time limit of two hours. It covers six topics - Indian History, Constitution of India , Geography , Economics, Science, and Current Affairs. The second paper is an 'optional' that is on a subject of the candidate's choice. This paper carries 300 points on 120 questions and is two hours long. Both papers are set in the objective type format.
The main examination is also a written test, which is held around November / December every year. It comprises two language papers (one in English and the other in an optional Indian language). Marks gained in these papers are not computed in the total score, but passing in both is compulsory for qualification. There are also two general studies papers (300 marks each), and four papers on two optional subjects (300 marks each).
The personality test / interview, conducted in April / May every year, forms the final eliminatory stage. Conducted in the form of an oral interview, it enables an expert panel to judge first hand, the candidate's personality, ability and aptitude for the work. The personality test carries 250 points in a total of 2,050 points. There is also a medical test, which is conducted before the allotment of services. It is an especially rigid test for those aspiring to join the IPS. Roughly 800-900 candidates make it through the final selection each year, out of which the top ranking 100 candidates (approximately) are appointed to the IAS. Selection to the Indian Forest Service , on the other hand, is on the basis of a written test held in the month of August every year. The test comprises: two compulsory papers (General English and General Knowledge) ; and additional papers in any two subjects chosen from the following options: agriculture / botany / chemistry / physics / geology / zoology / mathematics / agricultural engineering / chemical engineering / civil engineering / mechanical engineering , excepting combinations of agriculture and agricultural engineering , chemistry and chemical engineering. Training: Once appointed, all probationary officers of the All India and Central Services undergo a compulsory foundation training course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. Duration: Training begins in the last week of August with a foundation training course of 4 months duration for probationers of all civil services. The foundation course is followed up by specific job-oriented training, conducted separately by each service in different parts of the country. This training is partly institutional and partly hands-on. For most cadres, the training is of 12 months' duration A strong constitution; good physical and mental health; willingness to work hard and spend long periods away from home, family and friends; intelligence; common sense; sense of responsibility; empathy with the underprivileged; idealism; emotional stability; personal integrity; staying power; optimism; positive thinking; ability to interact with all kinds of people; adaptability; ability to handle power and authority without being swayed by it; willingness to work in a fairly rigid hierarchy.
The best part about the government services is that on completion of training, probationers become full-fledged officers of the service to which they are appointed and continue service until retirement. Jobs in the Civil Services involve a great deal of power and authority, though there are frequent transfers. Promotions depend upon positions falling vacant on account of promotion, retirement, resignation, death or dismissal of the immediate senior. However, competent officers always have a chance of being promoted to senior positions over the years. The Junior Officer Scale is generally only a two year probationary period.
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