Question

Consider the following statements about the All India Services:

1. The Central Government has the ultimate control over All India Services, while immediate control lies with the state governments.

2. Officers of the All India Services are appointed by the respective State Public Service Commissions.

3. The Indian Forest Service was established in 1966 under the All India Services Act, 1951.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 3 only

All India Services (AIS)

• The All India Services (AIS) are unique to India's federal system, reflecting a blend of central and state responsibilities. They ensure a uniform standard of administration across the country.

• Currently, there are three All India Services: the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Indian Forest Service (IFS).

• The concept of All India Services originates from Article 312 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the Parliament to create new All India Services by a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting in the Rajya Sabha.

Dual Control Mechanism of AIS Officers

• Statement 1 is correct. All India Service officers are recruited by the Central Government but are allotted to various State Cadres, where they serve under the respective State Government.

• The immediate control over these officers, including transfers, postings, and day-to-day administration, rests with the State Government to which they are allotted.

• However, the ultimate control, pertaining to major disciplinary actions, service rules, training, and overall policy matters, lies with the Central Government. This dual control mechanism ensures both administrative efficiency at the state level and adherence to national policies and standards.

• The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is the nodal agency for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The Ministry of Home Affairs is the cadre controlling authority for the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is for the Indian Forest Service (IFS).

Appointment of AIS Officers

• Statement 2 is incorrect. Officers of the All India Services are recruited and appointed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) through highly competitive national-level examinations.

• State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs), on the other hand, are responsible for recruiting officers for the respective State Civil Services, not for All India Services.

Establishment of the Indian Forest Service (IFS)

• Statement 3 is correct. The All India Services Act, 1951, provides the statutory framework for the creation and regulation of the All India Services.

• Initially, only the IAS and IPS were recognized as All India Services.

• The Indian Forest Service (IFS) was constituted as the third All India Service in 1966 under the powers conferred by the All India Services Act, 1951.