Once a candidate gets appointed in the prestigious Civil Services Of India then sky is the limit for him. Depending upon his rank, a candidate is recruited to services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and other departments including Finance, Post and Telegraph, Revenue, Secretariat and so on. Among all the services, IAS is the most sought after. The appointment offers executive power and social charisma.

Promotions are time bound and increase in privileges are automatic. Selected candidates are first put through a training session for a short period. He is usually sent to an academic staff college associated with the service to which he is allocated.

The greatest thing about civil service is the job security. Special facilities include subsidised accommodation, telephone and transport facilities, medical benefits, leave travel concession and other lucrative perks. After retirement, there are very good social welfare facilities. Last but not the least is the immense satisfaction one derives at being able to participate in the development process of the country.

Grades & Remuneration:

There are fixed promotional grades for civil servants, each with a hefty remuneration.

*. Junior Officer Scale

Work in their allotted States.

Pay Scale: (PB-3 15600 - 39100 GP 5400).

*. Senior Scale Officer:

Under Secretary to GOI.

Pay Scale: (PB-3 15600 - 39100 GP 6600)

*. Junior Administrative Grade:

Deputy Secretary to GOI.

Pay Scale: (PB-3 15600 - 39100 GP 7600)

*. Selection Grade :

Director/Deputy Secretary

Pay Scale: (PB-4 37400 - 67000 GP 8700)

*. Super time Scale B:

DIG grade (IPS) / Conservator of Forests (IFS) etc.

Pay Scale: (PB-4 37400 - 67000 GP 8900)

*. Senior Administrative Grade:

Joint Secretary to GOI

Pay Scale: (PB-4 37400 - 67000 GP 10000)

*. Above Super Time Scale:

Additional Secretary to GOI

Pay Scale: (67000 - annual increment @3% -79000)

*. Apex Time Scale

Pay Scale: (75000 - annual increment @3% -80000)

This scale exists for only certain services like IPS, IFS, IAS, IRS etc.

*. Apex Scale:

Secretary to GOI

Pay Scale: (80000 fixed)

*. Consolidated:

Cabinet Secretary (Only for IAS, one post at the Centre)

Pay Scale: (90000 fixed).

Hierarchy: The members of the All-India Services start as Deputy Secretaries and normally go up to the level of Joint Secretaries. There is no lateral entry in the All-India services. Only at the level of Secretary to the Government of India, specialists are taken as Secretaries. Only 5% of the members of the All-India services reach the top position of Secretary to Government.

The post of Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India, the highest in the Indian civil service, has remained the privilege only of the officers of the IAS cadre.