IAS and IPS both are very challenging jobs in India. Both of these posts not only bestow power and position but also expect to be fully devoted towards the nation as well as society. But which is better. This is the most asked question by the aspirants. Let’s look at both and find an answer to it.
IAS or the Indian Administrative services form the bureaucratic wing pertaining to All India Services. An aspirant needs to have a very high rank in the UPSC merit so as to become an IAS officer.
After clearing the IAS exam, the candidate is appointed as a probationary officer on the rank of sub-divisional magistrate.
After the completion of the probationary period, the officer is now promoted to District Magistrate or District Collector or Commissioner in other words.
He is now the head of the state division to which he is appointed. Other posts over which he can be appointed are Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary and cabinet Secretary.
Duties of an IAS officer
The main duty of an IAS officer is to formulate and implement policies for the state division, secretarial governance and public administration.
He is also responsible for the revenue collection and also helps to settle the revenue related matters.
IPS
IPS or the Indian Police services is another prestigious post offered to the candidates who clear the toughest exam of the country i.e. UPSC. An IPS officer is the head of the Police force both at the center and the state level.
An IPS officer heads various state and centre police and vigilance organizations such as:
• Intelligence Bureau (IB)
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
• Border Security Forces (BSF)
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
• National Security Guard
• Vigilance Organization
Duties of an IPS officer
The main duties of an IPS officer are to work in the direction of law enforcement, crime investigation, security intelligence and maintaining public law and order. Everything related to the IPS officers such as cadre structure, appointment, salary, promotion, allowances, deputation etc is made by Ministry of Home Affairs.
Let’s have a closer look at some of the key differences among IPS and IAS.
1. An IAS officer deals with public administration along with policy formulation and implementation. IPS officer deals with maintaining law and order in the state and center.
2. An IAS officer is a top civil servant and often considered as the head of the state where as IPS officer is the head of the police department and other security departments & agencies.
3. IAS is the first choice made by the UPSC aspirants and IPS is the second one.
4. IAS Officers are trained at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. IPS officers are trained at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, in Hyderabad.
Both the posts are full of power and responsibilities and are truly inspiring as the IPS and IAS officers get due respect and recognition in the society.
