Indian Administrative Service
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The Indian Administrative Service, also called the 'Steel frame' of India, was born out of the need for having a strong administrative network which can be relied upon by the executive arm of the Government for implementing its decisions effectively.
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History
The creators of this system adopted the outline of the Indian Civil Service, which administered the nation during the British rule, but modified it in a revolutionary way to fit the needs of the newly created nation. After an extensive debate during the formation of the constitution, the system was incorporated into the inner core of the Government of India.
Function
These officials are involved in civil administration, policy making and managing conflicts - internal and external. They are selected from a vast pool of educated individuals through an extensive and rigorous examination process that effectively selects only the most intelligent, responsible and capable individuals in every domain ranging from literature to medicine.
Independence
The members of this service receive a constitutional guarantee and are capable of exercising their executive powers without any fear of persecution. Sardar Patel, a strong proponent of this 'steel frame', proposed that this body must speak out free, without any fear of persecution or financial insecurity. He considered this system as a very essential element in unifying the nation.
Designations
The officers of the system belong to various cadres ranging from District Collectors to the Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India. They are constantly circulated among various departments and are promoted based on their seniority level as well as their managerial capacity and achievements. The officers enter the system after passing a multi-level examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission of India. They come come from various domains of human endeavour ranging from Literature to Medicine. The structure of the examination selects only the top cream of the individuals in every domain, ensuring that the system is fed with extremely intelligent, responsible and capable officers.
Policy
The officers of the system play a crucial role in the policy making and planning processes of virtually every division of the Government machinery. Their aloofness to the changing political scenario is a powerful way of ensuring that the policy changes have a smooth transition. The independence and integrity of the system is a boon to the Government machinery which can run smoothly even during times of political turmoil without coming to a standstill.
Notorious Officers
IAS is not free from controversies. High flying IAS officer of Bihar state, Mr Gautam Goswami typifies what IAS can do and has done. He was poster boy of IAS in India, till government discovered that he diverted massive tax payer money to his private accounts.
The Central Vigilance Commission of India keeps a list of disciplinary proceedings against IAS and other government officials at [1] (http://cvc.nic.in/)sv:Indiens civila statsförvaltning