Administration and law are two essential components of the bedrock on which the structure of vibrant democracy stands. Both, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS) fall within the periphery of the All India Services (including Indian Forest Services) whereas the rest of the services are categorized under Central Services. Despite being separate in modus operandi, both IAS and IPS are interlinked in the sense that the success of one calls for the implementation of the other. In this spirit, let us now understand the differences between the IAs and IPS.
Role in Public Affairs
- IAS : An IAS officer deliberates duties in formulating policies for the people at the ground level and implementing them. In the past IAS Officers have posed examples of effective policymaking and execution in the light of disaster management (Kerala floods. Every central and state government formulates welfare schemes for the marginalized sections of the country but the reality is that the villages are too far from the administrative offices due to which the beneficiaries, in major amount, remain unaware of the helps and assistance from their elected representatives (the Government).
- IPS : An IPS Officer is responsible for maintaining law and order in the area of service, investigate crime, book the criminals and restore justice in the society. The IPS Officers conduct search operations, spend sleepless nights around hideouts of criminals, and risk their lives, all for one thing- safety and security of the citizens.
Training Centers and Training Periods
- IAS : After clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination, the top rankers are recruited as the IAS Officers. They are sent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), located amidst the beautiful hills of Mussorie in Uttarakhand. The Foundation course lasts for 2 years, after which the IAS Officers are posted in different districts as District Megistrates.
- IPS : IPS is the next most sought after career option among the Civil Servants after IAS. After 3 months of the training at the LBSNAA, the IPS Officers are shifted to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad, Telangana for 10 months of further training.
Controlling Ministries
- IAS : The Indian Administrative Service is within the ambit of the Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Government of India.
- IPS : The Indian Police Service is the area of supervision of the ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Promotions/Future Endeavors
- IAS : The topmost rank to which an IAS Officer can reach is that of the Cabinet secretary. However, experienced and top-notch IAS Officers are sometimes appointed as heads of Constitutional Bodies, like the Election Commission. Sukumar Sen (the first Chief election Commissioner on independent India) and T.N.Seshan were two such eminent IAS Officers who served as the Chairmen of the Election Commission.
- IPS : IPS Officers get the opportunity to serve in the top-most investigating agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB). Also the IPS Officers are appointed in the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
(for better understanding, watch the video: https://youtu.be/Q1XN_9K5O9E)
Apart from these major differences there are differences in the pay scale; wherein an IAS Officer is paid relatively more than an IPS Officer. Also, maintaining the order of precedence of district administration, the IPS Officer has to repost to the IAS Officers as of when required by the latter. Despite the differences, there is a link between the two services when it comes to responsibility and commitment towards their duty.
So, having read about the stark differences between the two coveted Civil Services, which one do you aspire for?
