A Foreign Service Officer begins his career abroad as a Third Secretary and is promoted to Second Secretary as soon as he is confirmed in service. Subsequent promotions are to the levels of First Secretary, Counsellor, Minister and Ambassador/High Commissioner/Permanent Representative. Officers can also be posted to Indian Consulates abroad where the hierarchy (going upwards) is Vice-Consul, Consul and Consul General.

The ranks follow the British pattern, the only difference being that the State Emblem replaces the crown motif.

* State Emblem above one star above crossed sword and baton

o Director, Intelligence Bureau

* State Emblem above crossed sword and baton

o Director, Central Bureau of Investigation

o Director General, Central Reserve Police Force

o Director General, Border Security Force 

o Director General, Central Industrial Security Force

o Director General, Sashastra Seema Bal

o Director General, National Security Guards

o Director General, Special Protection Group

o Director General, National Police Academy

o Director General, Security

o Director General and Inspector General of Police, States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal

* One star above crossed sword and baton

o Inspector General of Police, Other States

o Commissioner of Police, Delhi

o Additional Inspector General, Bureaus

o Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau

o Additional Director, Central Bureau of Investigation

o Joint Director, Central Bureau of Investigation

o Commandant, Central Forensic Institute

o Director, National Police Academy

o Inspector General, Border Security Force

o Inspector General, Central Industrial Security Force

o Inspector General, Central Reserve Police

o Special Inspector General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police

* State Emblem above three stars in a triangle

o Inspector General of Police, Union Territories

o Other officer above selection grade

* State Emblem above two stars

o Superintendent of Police in selection grade

o Other officer on senior time scale with 15 years service or more

* State Emblem above one star

o Superintendent of Police in charge of a district

o Commandant of Battalion

o Other officer on senior time scale with between 10 and 15 years service

* State Emblem

o Other officer on senior time scale with 10 years service or less

* Three stars

o Assistant Superintendent in charge of sub-division

o Assistant Superintendent not in charge of sub-division with 5 years service or more

* Two stars

o Assistant Superintendent not in charge of sub-division with between 2 and 5 years service

* One star

o Assistant Superintendent not in charge of sub-division with less than 2 years service 

Ranks insignia of the State Police officers (which is distinct from Indian Police Service).

* Three stars

o Deputy Superintendent of Police. A state police officer who is directly recruited to this rank or has come up from the lower ranks.

* Red and blue ribbon and three stars

o Inspector of Police.

*  Red and blue ribbon and two stars

o Sub-Inspector of Police

*  Red and blue ribbon and a star

o Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police

* Three chevrons points facing downwards

o Police Head Constable

* Two chevrons points facing downwards

o Senior Police Constable or Police Naik. His/her basic pay would be of the same scale of a head constable.

* No rank insignia

o Constable

During the probation period you will undergo a year's on the job training in the office of a Superintendent of Police of a district in the State you have been allocated. On completing your two year probation, you will be confirmed as a three star Assistant Superintendent of Police (A.S.P.). You will then in all probability be posted as the Police Officer of a sub-division (SDPO) for two years till you are promoted to the Senior Scale.

As the SDPO, Superintendent of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police of a District and as Deputy Inspector General of a Range (group of districts), you will be exclusively responsible for the prevention and detection of crime. However, the law and order duties will be shared with your I.A.S. counterpart.

In cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, the law and order duties are the exclusive responsibility of the police force. In these cities the ASP, SP, and the DIG are calledAssistant Commissioner of Police (ACPO), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Commissioner of Police (CP). 

Unlike I.A.S. Officers who cannot permanently serve the central government, some IPS dominated central agencies absorb the IPS Officers till they retire. The senior posts in the IPS are those of the Deputy Inspector General, Inspector General, Additional D.G. and Director General. These days many states have more than one IG and DG. However, there is only one Director General of Police (DG), who heads the police force of the State.

In 1948, a year after India gained independence; the Imperial Police was replaced by the IPS.

The Indian Police Service is an unchanged copy of The British Colonial Police Service it replaced; it is an elitist service and was designed for the dictatorship of Colonial domination. The pattern of unaccountable IPS officers with huge powers is very similar to those given by the German Third Reich to its officers who were sent to administer the occupied territories. The British Imperial Police Officers were in charge of a force to dominate the Indian people who were considered inferior. The British themselves in their own homeland had a very different police service which was set up to be accountable to the public with the emphasis as a service body. 

The IPS Examination

Meanwhile while most police forces promote their officers from the ranks. To be a senior officer in the IPS you have to pass a separate examination. This system was designed to ensure white British Officers occupied the top echelons.

The British ensured that young white officers who passed a exam would be able to administer and control districts with millions of inhabitants. These officers became part of an elite coterie of colonial administrators. Indians were given the subordinate non IPS ranks.

This system has continued via the Indian Civil service examinations where a group of people are given absolute power. There is no other model like it in the world. It is an undemocratic structure designed by foreign occupiers to control a subject population. The system is designed to control and rule rather than serve and be held accountable.

The system was devised in the United Kingdom for other populations, it was never deployed in the UK neither would it have ever been tolerated by the population. 

The IAS and IPS system was only for the colonial population. This system has no place in a democracy and some say that we must follow the example of most other countries where officers or all recruited in the lower ranks and only those which pass a series of exams, show merit show performance are promoted. The IPS system denies the opportunity for many thousands in the lower ranks to achieve the top rank in the Police.

THE INDIAN POLICE SERVICE (IPS) IS ONE OF THE THREE ALL INDIA SERVICES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA; OTHER TWO SERVICES BEING THE INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE (IAS) AND THE INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE (IFS).

In 1948, a year after India gained independence; the Imperial Police was replaced by the IPS.

The Indian Police Service is an unchanged copy of The British Colonial Police Service it replaced; it is an elitist service and was designed for the dictatorship of Colonial domination. The pattern of unaccountable IPS officers with huge powers is very similar to those given by the German Third Reich to its officers who were sent to administer the occupied territories. The British Imperial Police Officers were in charge of a force to dominate the Indian people who were considered inferior. The British themselves in their own homeland had a very different police service which was set up to be accountable to the public with the emphasis as a service body. 

The Police Act of 1861 is still the basis of the Indian Police today.

The Indian Police Service has been in existence since the Eighteen Hundreds.

=== Current Developments ===

1996-2006 Reforms ordered by the Supreme Court 

Prakash Singh, one of the former Directors General of Police of the States of Assam and subsequently Uttar Pradesh and finally DG of Border Security Force (BSF) , initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PLI) in the Supreme Court of India, asking the court to investigate measures to reform the Police Forces across India in order to have proper rule of law and a significantly improved security across India. Several measures were identified in order to professionalize the police in India:

* A mid or high ranking police officer must not be transferred more frequently than 2 years

* The state government cannot ask the police force to hire someone nor can they choose who the Chief Commissioner will be

* There must be separate departments and staff for investigation and a separate one for patrolling

3 new authorities will be created in each state, to prevent political interference in Police and also to make the Police accountable for their heavy-handedness, which will include the creation of:

* A State security Commission for policies and direction

* A Police Establishment Board, which will decide the selection, promotions and transfers of police officers and other staff

* A Police Complaint Authority, to inquire into allegations of police misconduct.

In 2006, due to a lack of action by all the state governments in India, the supreme court ordered the state governments to report to it why the reform measures outlined were not implemented. 

After being questioned in front of the judges of the Supreme Court of India, the state governments are finally starting to reform the police forces and give them the operational independence they need for fearless and proper law enforcement.

(The above scales only provide an idea of the pay scales Different branches of the service have different scales of pay.)

In addition to the salary civil servants receive various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, City compensatory Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, Medical and subsidized housing.

The Indian Administrative Services (Probationers' Final Examination) Regulations, 1955. In pursuance of rule 7 of the Indian Administrative Service (Probation) Rules, 1954, the Central Government, in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Public Service Commission, hereby makes the following regulations, namely :-

(b) `Director' means the Director of the Academy; and

(c) `Schedule' means a Schedule appended to these regulations.

3(2) The examination shall be conducted by the 4Director in the manner laid down in these regulations.

3(3) The exact dates on which and the places at which the examination shall be held shall be fixed by the 4Director.

(2) Basic Economic Principles and Five Year Plans     75 

(3) Law                                                                     75 

(4) Public Administration and Management                75 

(i) Qualifying tests shall be held in the following subjects, namely:-

2. Hindi except for candidates who examined in Hindi as a regional language under Clause (2).

3. Computer.

Assam-Meghalaya : Khasi or Garo 

Nagalan : Nagamese in Roman script 

Union Territories : Mizo 

[See clause (a) & (b) of Regulation 4]

(a) Political concepts

Behavioural Science Motivation, Leadership, Decision-Making, MBO, Management of Conflicts, Management of Change ,Transactional Analysis, -MIS-O&M & Work study-Pert-CPM, Time Management Methodology of Presentation of a subject-Financial Management Capital Budgeting, Discountal Cash Flow, Ratio Analysis, Project Formulation, Cost benefit Analysis, Project Evaluation Interpretation of Balance Sheets."

The syllabus for the Test in Computer shall be as under:-

1. UNIX operating system and its features:

(b) - Typing, Copying, moving and deleting virtuals;

(c) - Making, changing and removing directories;

(d) - Mail, Write, Pipes and Filters; and

(e) - Printing in UNIX.

(b) - Necessity and ways of using Multiple Databases;

(c) - Linking of different databases;

(d) - Queries from linked databases; and

(e) - Report generation using Multiple Databases.

(a) - Using Spreadsheet package Professional in UNIX;

(b) - Time Value of Money;

(c) - Cost Benefit Analysis;

(d) - Capital Budgeting; and

(e) - Project Analysis using these techniques.

4. System Analysis and Design:

(b) - System life cycle, role of Systems Analyst;

(c) - Functional and Data flow analysis; and

(d) - Details of Data flow diagrams.

(b) - Information needs in Management Processes;

(c) - MIS through application of DBMS; and

(d) - Decision Asserting Information System.

- Networking using Modems.

(b) - Indian Economic Indicators (GIST-ECO);

(c) - International Economic Indicators (GIST-IMF); and

(d) - State provirtual databases (GIST).

(a) - How to use GISNIC; and

(b) - How to use Maps for Decentralized planning.

[See Clause (b) of Reegulation 4]

Assam-Meghalaya : Assamese, Bengali Khasi or Garo 

Bihar : Hindi 

Gujarat : Gujarati 

Haryana : Hindi or Urdu 

Himachal Pradesh : Hindi 

Jammu & Kashmir : Urdu,Kashmiri or Dogri 

Karnataka : Kannada 

Kerala : Malayalam 

Madhya Pradesh : Hindi 

Maharashtra : Marathi 

Manipur-Tripura : Manipuri, Bengali or Hindi 

Nagaland : Nagamese in Roman Script 

Orissa : Oriya 

Punjab : Punjabi (in Gurumukhi script) or Hindi 

Rajasthan : Hindi 

Sikkim : Nepali 

Tamil Nadu : Tamil 

Uttar Pradesh : Hindi 

West Bengal : Bengali or Hindi 

Arunachal Pradesh : Assamese,Hindi, Malayalam, 

Goa, Mizoram and Union : Marathi,Mizo, Tamil ,Urdu 

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts a nation wide exam every year to select the best candidates for different cadres of public administration. Civil Service, the backbone of the Indian government machinery constitutes all the departments which runs the State administration.

Civil service, the backbone of the Indian government machinery constitutes all the departments which runs the State administration. A highly competitive and challenging area, it involves a variety of jobs in different departments. Compared to private sector jobs this profession has job security. The prestige and power that comes along with these top-notch jobs is a definite reason for anybody to join this profession.The salary,allowances and facilities like healthcare, housing, conveyance etc. also make it a lucrative profession. 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 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in different centers spread all over the country. However, recruitment to the Indian Forest Service is through a different procedure. Entry into the State Civil Services is through a competitive examination conducted by every state public servicecommission. Anyone thinking of taking up civil service, should have an idea how difficult it is to get in as lakhs of candidates apply for the 400 to 500 vacancies that may arise. So once you decide to appear in civil service exam, one should be prepared to slog endlessly.

ENTRY

Into the IAS, IPS and the Central Services, Group A and Group B, is through the Combined Competitive Examination for the Civil Services. Recruitment to the Indian Forest Service is through a separate examination

FUNCTIONAL LEVELS

Except for the post of Union Cabinet Secretary, the Government of India hierarchy is common to all services. The scales are:

Junior Scale Officers

Begin their careers with a two-year probationary period. This is spent partly in training, after which they may be posted at the state secretariat; as field officers; or a District Magistrate's office. Junior scale officers in the position of Sub-Magistrate are given mainly regulatory duties, like law and order, enforcement of rules, and general administration, including the supervision of development work.

Senior Scale

· Junior Administrative Grade-Deputy Secretary

· Selection Grade-Director

Both these positions hold similar responsibilities, and are at par with each other.

Super Time Scale

Joint Secretary is the highest among Government of India administrative posts. Above this position come the policy makers. In the Central Services, this scale is sometimes titled the Senior Administrative Grade.

Additional Secretary

The work undertaken by an Additional Secretary is similar to that of a Secretary though the level of responsibility is lower.

Secretaries head government departments and are concerned with planning in their particular areas. Some appointments such as finance and planning are considered more prestigious than others, and are therefore at par with the post of Additional Chief Secretary. Another title for this level is Principal Secretary.

Chief Secretary

The top ranking civil servant in any state-is responsible for everything that happens in the state as far as duties assigned to state governments are concerned.

Cabinet Secretary

Is the highest post at the center.

In the Government of India (i.e.. in the ministries) you will deal with the formulation of policies and supervise their implementation. In each Ministry you will supervise the allotment and utilization of funds by the field officers in your Ministry.

You will also be asked to furnish information to the Parliament in response to queries relating to your Ministry. You will have to work late into the night and under much pressure when Parliament is in session. Sometimes, your work will entail visits to the States. Depending on your rank, you might even be the government nominee on the Board of Directors of some Public Sector Corporation. You will also at times be nominated to independently represent India at International forums or accompany the Minister for such meetings. From the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, you can sign international agreements on behalf of the Government of India.

However, more than half your career life will be spent in the State you are allocated, where you will look after law and order, general administration, revenue work and developmental functions. During the course of your two year probation you will be attached to various training schools, to the Secretariat and field offices and to a district collector's office. Here you will do the work of a sub magistrate.

On completion of your two year's probation you will be appointed as a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM). As S.D.M. you will look after law and order, general administration, revenue work and such developmental work as may be assigned to you. In the next three scales i.e.. Senior Scale, Junior Administrative Grade and Selection Grade you will serve as District Magistrate, Chief Development Officer, Director of a department, Managing Director of a Public Sector Unit or a Senior officer in the State Secretariat. In other words, you could be a District Magistrate in your fifth year of service and remain a D.M. till you are promoted to the Super Time Scale in the 17th year of your service.

What your rank in the State Secretariat will be varies widely from State to State,. For example, in Jammu and Kashmir, young I.A.S. officers in the Junior Administrative Grade become Secretaries. In most States, however, I.A.S. Officers become Secretaries to the State Government when they reach the Selection Grade. In all States, supertime scale officers are Secretaries or Divisional Commissioners. Following this there are promotions in scale to the ranks of Principal Secretary and additional Chief Secretary. The highest post in the State is that of the Chief Secretary. 

The Indian Administrative Service is a premium service in the non-military aspect of government sector. The service was originated in the year 1947 and is meant to place people straight at the top of any government organization. The job of an IAS carries a lot of responsibilities. There are three levels at which an IAS officer operates – central, district and divisional. The job definition of an IAS officer at the central level is framing and implementation of policies. At a district level the job of an IAS encompasses all district affairs with focus on development. The responsibility of an IAS officer at the divisional level is maintenance of law and order, general administration and development work.

The Indian Administrative Service follows a cadre system, by which the officer are allotted to a state cadre. The service of the officer is owned by the parent state to which they belong to. But they may be deputed elsewhere. The cadre system is allotted on a basis of lottery and toppers of each state may get a chance to get their home states if they have opted for such a preference.

The member of the IAS holds various administrative posts like District Collector, Heads of Departments, Head of Public Enterprises at state level or can be posted on deputation to the central government to the various posts.