The Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) is a Central Group ‘A’ Civil Service of the Republic of India that was created to offer financial advice, payment, accounting, and audit services to the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard) and other affiliated organisations like ordnance factories, military engineer services, border roads organisation, and defence research and development organisation.
Currently, there are two ways to become an IDAS employee: (i) through the annual Civil Services Examination that the UPSC conducts, and (ii) by the promotion of Senior Accounts Officers (Gp “B” to IDAS).
Under the Indian government’s Ministry of Defence, IDAS officials are Group-A gazetted civilian officers. Ministry of Defence is the cadre controlling authority for IDAS officers. The Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) oversees both the Defense Accounts Department and the Indian Defense Accounts Service.
The foundation training on joining the Indian Defence Accounts Service is imparted along with the other Central/ All India services in any one of the National Academy. This is followed by induction training at CENTRAD, Brar Square, Delhi Cantt, followed by Professional Training Course at NIFM, Faridabad and Departmental Training at NADFM, Pune. After successful completion of probation period of two years and passing of Departmental Examination, as prescribed, they are confirmed into Junior Time Scale (JTS) Grade of IDAS.
After successful completion of probation period of two years and passing of Departmental Examination, as prescribed, they are confirmed into Junior Time Scale (JTS) Grade of IDAS.
An IDAS officer may get his posting in any headquarters or any other offices attached to the Ministry of Defence.
Below a screenshot is being attached from which you will understand the equivalence of designations
| Level (Grade) | Designations in different offices | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HQrs Office | PCsDA/CsDA | Factory Side | IFA Side | |
| JTS | ACGDA | ACDA | ACFA | DylFA |
| STS | Sr.ACGDA | DCDA | DCFA | SrDylFA |
| JAG | DyCGDA | Jt.CDA | Jt.CFA | Jt.IFA |
| NFSG | Sr.DyCGDA | Addl.CDA | Addl.CFA | Addl.IFA |
| SAG | Jt.CGDA | CDA | CFA | IFA |
| HAG | — | PCDA | PCA | Pr.IFA |
| HAG+ | Addl.CGDA | — | — | — |
| APEX | CGDA | — | — | — |
Yes they can. The significant contributions made by IDAS officers while on deputation leave resulted in a constant demand for the cadre from Central and State Governments. Ministries/ Departments under the Government of India such as banking, economic affairs, petroleum, commerce, agriculture, telecom, urban development, power, etc. have been enriched by the contribution of IDAS officers.
Besides departmental postings, IDAS officers can be appointed in other organizations including in Ministries/ Departments of Govt. of India at Deputy Secretary/ Director/Joint Secretary/ Additional Secretary levels on deputation basis under Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) of Govt. of India and other non-CSS deputation as per administrative feasibility.
Yes they can. IDAS officers are also appointed overseas as a part of Indian Army contingent participating in various UN peacekeeping Missions. As of now, there are 05 UN Missions, where STS level officers are deployed as part of Indian contingent of UN peace keeping force.
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