Sixty years after independence, the 4,000 members of the elite IAS continue to exercise power out of all proportion to their number, as they preside over the countrys massive bureaucracyThe Indian Civil Service, the elite governing corps which was the ‘steel frame of the British Raj for almost a century (1857-1957), transformed into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after independence on August 15, 1947. Sixty years later the 4,000 members of the ‘twice-born IAS continue to exercise power out of all proportion to their number, as they preside over the countrys massive 18-million strong (Centre plus states) bureaucracy. Despite charges of corruption, politicisation, red tapism and falling standards, for millions of youth across the country the appeal of the power, prestige and social status associated with the IAS has not waned. In May this year 200,000 wrote the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) for entry into the IAS, IFS, IPS and the Central Services Group A and B (Indian Revenue Service, Indian Economic Service etc). The Civil Services Examination is held in two parts, the first being a preliminary objective questions-type which is for elimination and shortlisting candidates for the main exam. The notification for the exam citing the venues is published in newspapers every December, and the exam is held every summer. The second or main exam is held in the month of November, with those who have cleared the preliminary exam entitled to write the nine essay papers consisting of Indian language, English, general essay, general studies (two papers) and four papers in optional subjects. Candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in this exam are summoned for interview by a UPSC board panel, with the objective of assessing his/her suitability for a career in public service. The personal interview is designed to judge the intellectual qualities, social traits and interest in current affairs of candidates. Marks obtained by candidates in the main examination (written as well as interview) determine their final ranking. The selection process is spread over 12 months. Of the over 200,000 who write the preliminary exam, only 400-500 are selected annually. Of those selected the toppers have the option to choose their service between the IAS, IPS, IFS etc. Graduates with a degree from an Indian university or possessing an equivalent qualification, between 21 and 30 years of age, and citizens of India, are eligible to write the Civil Services Exam, with each candidate allowed a maximum of four attempts to clear it. Once selected, those inducted into the civil service have to undergo a years training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. After completing this training stint, IAS recruits are sent to districts in their allotted states on one years probation as supernumerary assistant collectors. Subsequently they move upwards through a series of time-bound promotions until they reach the rank of joint secretary at the Centre, after which theres an element of selectivity in promotions. Most IAS officers, however, rise to the rank of…
