In India, the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Administrative Service are the two most reputed civil services. Each of these posts has certain district rules and responsibilities. The IAS officers have a general focus on administrative governments and the formulation of policy. While the IPS officers have the main priority of law enforcement and the safety of the local public. The prestige and reputation of both the IAS and IPS officers are very high in India. So we prepare IAS vs IPS Best comparisons available on the internet.
Here, we are going to discuss the primary differences between an IPS and an IAS officer according to various criteria.
IAS vs IPS: Responsibilities and Roles
One of the primary criteria for IAS vs IPS will be to determine the responsibilities and roles. The IAS officers have the responsibility of administrative governance. They look forward to formulating policies and public service delivery. All the administrative work is done by an IAS officer in India.
On the other hand, the IPS officers have the primary task of maintaining law and order. They must prevent any type of crime in the country and ensure the safety of the local people. The IPS officer has to lead the police forces in investigating criminal activities. They have to maintain security and order in society.
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IAS vs IPS: Power and Influence
One of the next things that you must consider while differentiating between an IAS and an IPS officer is their power and influence. The IAS officers have a great deal of authority in policy-making across various departments in their jurisdiction.
The IPS officers also commanded law enforcement agencies and influenced public safety. They have the power to control the police forces in India and manage criminal activities.
You can consider the IAS officer to be more powerful in comparison with an IPS officer, this is due to the authority and power. The IAS officer has the opportunity to deal with the responsibilities of all the departments existing in the districts, while the IPS officer only deals with their department.
Despite differences in the powers and influence of these officers, both have a primary role in shaping the Indian governance and security system.
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IAS vs IPS: Ranking Structure
The rank structure for the IPS and IAS officers has a distinct trajectory. The IAS officer starts as an assistant collector, and after promotion, they can become a cabinet secretary. The IPS officers start as assistant superintendents of police and can promote themselves to director general posts.
These are the ranks that reflect the valuation of the responsibilities and roles of these officers. Promotions in each position lead to an increase in the level of accountability and authority.
IAS vs IPS: Salary Structure
If you differentiate among the salaries, then both the IPS and IAS officers start their careers with a base salary of INR 56,100 each month, according to the 7th Pay Commission. The highest level of salary for an IAS officer can be INR 2,50,000 each month. The highest salary for an IPS officer is likely lower than that of an IAS officer, which is INR 2,25,000. The IAS officers also enjoy more allowances, which contribute to their overall compensation packages.
IAS vs IPS: Training Procedure
The next criterion to discuss for IAS vs IPS officers is whether there are training procedures. Both of these officers need to go through a training program, which will help them enhance the skills that are required for their roles. An IAS officer undergoes training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. The focus is on other managerial competencies and administrative work during their training.
The IPS officers receive primary training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy. The training emphasizes law enforcement tactics and ways in which they can maintain public order and their safety.
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IAS vs IPS: Selection Procedure
One of the primary differences is between the IAS and IPS selection procedures. Only top-ranking candidates will be recruited as IAS officers, while IPS officers will be the second-best alternative in the rank list. Both the IAS and IPS officers are selected through the civil service exams, which are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission in India. The details of the selection process are:
- The UPSC CSE exam is conducted in India and is divided into three stages: preliminary, mains, and personality tests.
- The candidates are supposed to clear all three stages of the exam and have proper ranks for becoming an IAS or IPS officer in India.
- There are certain eligibility criteria for the selection process for the IAS and IPS. Both of these eligibility criteria are mostly very similar.
IAS vs IPS: Uniform
Another difference between the IAS and IPS officers is the uniform that they wear. The IAS officers do not have any specific uniforms, and they can wear formal dresses at any event. The IPS officer has a special uniform that is differentiated according to the promotions and rank at each level.
- A national emblem and sword are mandatory for each rank of IPS officer.
- On special government occasions like Republic Day and Independence Day, the IPS officer has to attend the event in full uniform.
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IAS vs IPS: What is an Ideal Choice for You?
One of the most debatable points is which is the ideal choice for the students: becoming an IPS officer or an IAS officer. Both the IPS and IAS services are prestigious according to their fields. It is completely the decision of the candidate and the interest in the job opportunity that they have. One of the primary things that you need to remember is that clearing both the IAS exam and the IPS exam is not a very easy job. You need to have proper determination, the ability to do hard work, and an effective strategy for the process. The things that you must consider are:
- If you do not like criminal cases, riots, and issues regarding law and order, then do not choose to become an IPS officer and apply for the IAS post.
- The IAS officer has to maintain harmony in the service pattern and has to manage all the administrative issues independently.
- Both the IAS and IPS jobs have great benefits and additional challenges related to them.
- You need to understand your requirements and abilities and make the choice of the post that will be completely suitable for you to select.
Conclusion on IAS vs IPS
IAS vs IPS is a very difficult conversation, and coming to a proper conclusion is very difficult. Both IAS and IPS services are very similar yet very different. Choosing among the two is very difficult, and it only requires your abilities and interests. One of the main things you need to understand is that clearing the UPSC exam is very important for you to become an IAS or IPS officer.
If you want to clear the difficult IAS exam or IPS exam in India, then you must consult a top UPSC coaching institute. They will help you study the entire course and will also make the process very easy for you. The coaching institute will also understand your abilities and help you select the IAS or IPS post, whichever is suitable for you. You must not think about the post that you will get and instead focus on clearing the UPSC exam first, after which you can determine the suitable post that will be comfortable for you.
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