The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a highly competitive exam that recruits candidates for various services under the Government of India. These are some of the main services that candidates can opt for after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Each of these services offers a unique career path and opportunities for growth and development. The services for which candidates are recruited through the Civil Services Examination are as follows:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS) - IAS officers are responsible for implementing government policies and programmes and the country's overall administration. They hold various positions in the central and state governments, including district magistrates, commissioners, and secretaries to the government. The IAS officers handle government affairs at multiple levels, including district and divisional levels.
- Indian Police Service (IPS) - IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order in the country. The IPS officers provide senior-level leadership to Police Forces in the States and the Centre.
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS) - IFS officers are responsible for India's foreign policy and diplomacy. They represent India in various international organizations and negotiate treaties and agreements with other countries.
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS) - IRS officers are responsible for collecting and managing revenue and taxes for the government. They work in various departments of the central and state governments, including the Income Tax Department and the Customs and Central Excise Department.
- Indian Communication Finance Service (ICFS)/ (Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’) - The Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) is a Group ‘A’ service which was constituted in 1973. This service provides accounting and financial services to the Indian posts and telecommunications departments. This service has been renamed as Indian Communication Finance Service (ICFS).
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS) - IAAS officers audit government accounts. They work in various departments of the central and state governments, including the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The IAAS is responsible for auditing government accounts and ensuring accountability for government expenditures.
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) - IDAS officers are responsible for the financial management of the defence services. The IDAS is responsible for maintaining the accounts of the defence forces and ensuring their financial management.
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) - IOFS officers manage the ordnance factories under the Ministry of Defence. They are responsible for managing the large number of ordnance factories in India, which produce weapons, arms, and ammunition.
- Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) - IRTS officers are responsible for the management of railway traffic. The IRTS is responsible for managing the traffic and operations of the Indian Railways. It was reconstituted in its present form in 1967. The IRTS Cadre functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. Personnel from this cadre primarily manage the transportation department of Indian Railways. They are responsible for the operation and business development and coordinate among various technical departments for the smooth functioning of trains. The service is also reliable for revenue generation in railways.
- Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) - The civil servants under this service are responsible for the accounts and finance management of Indian Railways.
- Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’ - The Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) is a Group ‘A’ Central Civil Service cadre of the Government of India 1. The central civil servants of this service are responsible for managing the human resources of Indian Railways and the welfare of railway employees and their families.
- Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’ - The Assistant Security Commissioner (ASC) post is a Group ‘A’ Central Civil Service post in the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The RPF is a security force working under the Ministry of Railways.
- Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’ - The Ministry of Defence is the Cadre Controlling Authority of UPSC IDES. IDES cadre officers work at the Defence Estates Organization (DEO), whose primary mandate is to manage and administer the civil affairs of cantonments and defence land.
- Indian Information Service, Junior Grade, Group ‘A’ - The Indian Information Service (IIS) is a Group ‘A’ Civil Service under the Government of India. It is the media wing of the Government of India and acts as a communication bridge between the Government and the public. IIS officers are responsible for disseminating information and communicating various Government policies and schemes to the public.
- Indian Trade Service (ITS) - The ITS is responsible for promoting India's trade and commerce interests in the international arena.
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) - The ICLS is responsible for implementing and enforcing corporate laws in the country. It functions under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India2. The service is entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the Companies Act of 1956, the Companies Act of 2013 and The Limited liability Partnership Act of 2008
- Indian Information Service (IIS) - The IIS is responsible for disseminating information about government policies and programmes to the public.
- Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ - IPoS officers are responsible for managing postal services in the country. It was formed in 1948. The IPoS cadre officers are responsible for managing the administration and day-to-day functioning of India Post, the largest postal network in the world.
- Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’: The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) is a Group ‘A’ service functioning under the Department of Expenditure in the Union Ministry of Finance. It was created in 1976 to provide auditing and accounting services to the Government of India. The ICAS functions through the Indian Civil Accounts Organisation and is vital in delivering financial management solutions for the Government of India. This organization provides payment services, supports the tax collection system, and performs government-wide accounting, financial reporting and other related functions.
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade) - The Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQCS) is responsible for policy formulation, implementation and providing administrative support through civilian officers and staff to the Tri-services headquarters of Indian Armed Forces and Inter-Services Organizations (ISOs) such as DRDO, DGQA, DGAQA, DGNCC etc. under the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group ‘B’: Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service is a Group B civil service of Government of India. It is also referred to as DANICS. This cadre of the Indian administrative service is responsible for the administrative functions of Delhi and other Union Territories.
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group ‘B’ - Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Police Service is a federal civil service in India1. It is also known as DANIPS (acronym)1. It administers the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union territories of India.
- Pondicherry Civil Service, Group ‘B’: Pondicherry Civil Service is a Group B civil service administered by the central government1. Successful candidates will be appointed to Pondicherry Civil Service Posts governed by the Pondicherry Civil Service Rules of 1967.
- Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’: Pondicherry Police Service is a Group B civil service administered by the central government.
- Indian Forest Service (IFS) - The IFS officers manage India's forests and wildlife. They work in various departments of the central and state governments, including the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The IFoS officers are responsible for managing a state or a group of states' forests, environment, and wildlife-related issues.