IAS vs IPS; See Powers, Responsibilities, Salary and other important aspects

IAS vs IPS. See here the difference in powers, responsibilities, salary and other aspects of work.

IAS and IPS officers are the two pillars of the state development machinery. The work profile of both officers goes hand in hand as security is essential for development. As the UN sayings "There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development". So both the officers complement each other at the district level. But, the IAS and IPS officers are starkly different starting from their powers, authority, responsibilities, training, the cadre controlling authority, and salary and allowances. UPSC result 2021 was released on May 30 and it selected 685 candidates for different posts. In the UPSC results, 180 IAS officers and 200 IPS officers were selected. Shruti Sharma Topped the Civil Service Exam. 

Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and Indian Police Services are the two most important and popular All India Services which exist before the independence. The debate of IAS vs IPS is also age-old because both the service serve as the backbone for the development of the nation. Revenue and Law and Order are the two most important components of the state administration and it is concerned with the IAS and IPS. Development and Security both are indispensable for the growth of the country. IAS and IPS are the two pillars of development and security in India. The candidates for both services are recruited through a common exam (Civil Services Exam) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The IAS and IPS do not compete for power. IAS and IPS both are All-India Services. Indian Administrative Service is called IAS and Indian Police Service is called IPS. In a district, IAS and IPS officers are the two most important functionaries in government administration. Both are essential for the development of Indian society. 

Let us see the major differences between IAS and IPS

Evolution of IAS and IPS

Before Independence, IAS and IPS both services were dominated by the Europeans because only a few Indians were able to crack the Civil Services Exam. After independence, the services were thrown open for the Indian citizens only and the eligibility criteria were diluted in favour of Indians. Indian Administrative Service is the continuance of Imperial Civil Services (ICS) prevailing in the colonial period. Civil Services is related to the collection of revenues from the agricultural land and hence the name “Collector”. It was one of the earliest positions under the British company and it started the coveted civil services.

In the same way, IPS is the continuation of the Imperial Police. On the other hand, the need for Police Bureaucracy was mentioned in the Indian Council Act of 1861 for the first time.

Recruitment

Both IAS and IPS are selected through UPSC Civil Services Examination every year. IAS Aspirants fill the service preference of their choice in the Detailed Application Form (DAF) of UPSC and the Department of Personnel and training assigns the selected candidates to the service according to their rank and preference. Most of the candidates fill IAS as their first choice and IPS as the second choice.

The popularity of the IAS can be understood by the example that the UPSC Civil Services exam is popularly known as the IAS exam. IAS overshadowed all the other public services in the Civil Services Exam and in real life too.

Number of IPS vacancy increased to 200. See details

Cadre Controlling Authority

Cadre Controlling Authority is the concerned ministry that overlooks the posting and transfer of the officers. Both IAS and IPS are All-India Services but both have separate Cadre Controlling Authority. The Ministry of Personnel is the Cadre Controlling Authority for IAS. This ministry directly reports to the Prime Minister of India. The Cadre Controlling Authority for IPS is the Ministry of Home Affairs which works under the Union Home Minister.

UPSC send the recommendation list of the candidates to the Ministry of Personnel after the Civil Services exam result and from there, all the candidates’ details are shared with their concerned Cadre Controlling Authorities.

Training

All the newly selected IAS and IPS officers join the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) for three months common foundation course. After the foundation course, the IAS officers stay at the LBSNAA and all the other officers went to their specialised training institutes. IPS officer trainees go to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) Hyderabad for the rest of their training. IAS probationers have a two-year training schedule, but the IPS officers undergo training for two and a half years.

The topper of the IAS training receives President’s Gold Medal and the Prime Minister’s Baton is given to the topper of the IPS training course.

IAS training is more concerned with the management, coordination and administration of the resources and manpower. IPS training includes physical training and various laws necessary for law enforcement activities. IPS training is more difficult and requires more physical activities. It includes horse riding, parade, armaments training and other important things required for law enforcement.

See here: UPSC IAS Selection Process

Powers and Responsibilities

After certain years of service, some selected IAS officers get the posting of District Magistrate (DM). DM is the coordinator at the district level with the authority of making a decision. He is the presiding authority of all the district level committees and departmental meetings. The DM is also responsible for the district’s police system. In the city, the decisions related to curfew, Section 144 etc. are taken by the DM.

In a magisterial system of governance, DM has the power to order to open fire for controlling the mob or other such conditions. Not only this but the approval of DM is also required for the transfer of certain police officers.

IPS is posted as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in the district. He is more concerned with the law and order of the city. Even for certain warrants, he needs the approval of IAS officers.

The job profile of both IAS and IPS services is very broad and both are posted on powerful posts, but IAS is much more powerful as a DM. An IPS has only the responsibility of its department, but an IAS (DM) has the responsibility of all the departments of the district. An IAS officer as DM is the head of the police department and other departments.

As per one protocol, the IPS officer needs to salute the IAS if he is senior to him. It is also a protocol that IPS will take off his uniform cap only after he is seated. 
Some states have implemented the commissionerate system in some of their cities. In this system, police officers have more powers, but still less than an IAS.

Scope of duty

The scope of the duty of an IAS officer as DM is in all the departments of the district. An IPS can work only in its police department and traffic department while being SSP. DM has a very large scope of duty and includes all the departments in the district. Even in the time of Disaster Management time when the army is called, the DM is the person who coordinates at the district level. He is equivalent to a major in the army.

IPS is the other important functionary of the district as he needs to take care of the law and order of the city. He is more concerned with the departmental activities and the order passed to him by the DM.

Uniform

Uniform separates IAS and IPS. There is no special uniform for IAS officers, they just have to wear formal clothes at the official events, but IPS have to wear their prescribed uniform. IPS uniforms change with rank. The IPS officer puts the Ashok symbol on their shoulders.

In public places, the public recognizes IPS officers because of their uniform but not an IAS.

Top Posts

The IAS can become the Cabinet Secretary of the Government of India. It is the highest position in the Indian bureaucratic structure at which only an IAS officer can be appointed. The top post in the state bureaucratic structure is the Chief Secretary of the state government. An IAS officer can only hold this position. Even the post of Union Home Secretary is also held by an IAS officer.

IPS can become the Director-General of Police of the state. An IPS officer in Union Government can become the Director of CBI, IB and RAW. Along with this, IPS can also be deployed as National Security Adviser.

See here: Post and designations held by IAS

Salary

The salary of an IPS officer in India has improved a lot since the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. The salary of an IPS can range from INR 56,100 per month to INR 2,25,000 per month. It varies depending on seniority. The salary of IAS has also become much better than the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. The salary of IAS can range from INR 56,100 per month to INR 2,50,000 per month. It also varies depending on seniority. IAS salary is more than IPS.

See here: Salary of an IAS officer