Question

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the All India Services?

1. Officers of the All India Services are appointed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

2. The salaries and pensions of All India Services officers are paid by the Central Government.

3. The All India Services Act, 1951, regulates the appointment and conditions of service in consultation with State Governments.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 1 and 3
• C. 2 and 3
• D. All are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 1 and 3

Understanding All India Services (AIS)

• The All India Services (AIS) are unique services in India that are common to both the Union (Central) Government and the State Governments. Officers of these services are recruited by the Centre and allotted to various states, where they serve under the state government, but their ultimate control lies with the Central Government.
• Currently, there are three All India Services:
  • Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
  • Indian Police Service (IPS)
  • Indian Forest Service (IFoS) (added in 1966)
• The concept of All India Services promotes uniformity in administration across the country and strengthens the federal structure by ensuring a common standard of public service.

Recruitment and Appointment

• While the ultimate appointing authority for All India Services officers is the President of India, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is solely responsible for conducting the recruitment process through the highly competitive Civil Services Examination (for IAS and IPS) and the Indian Forest Service Examination (for IFoS).
• The UPSC recommends the selected candidates to the government for appointment. Therefore, in the context of selection and recruitment, officers are considered to be appointed *through* or *based on the recommendations of* the UPSC.

Salaries and Pensions

• A key distinction for AIS officers is the source of their emoluments. The salaries and allowances of All India Services officers are paid by the respective State Governments where they are serving.
• However, their pensions are paid by the Central Government. This dual arrangement highlights the unique nature of these services, balancing state control with central oversight.

Legal Framework and Control

• The All India Services Act, 1951, is the foundational legislation that regulates the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to the All India Services.
• This Act empowers the Central Government to make rules in consultation with the State Governments for the regulation of recruitment and conditions of service for these officers. This ensures that while the Centre legislates, states have a consultative role in matters affecting their administrative machinery.
• The controlling authority for IAS officers is the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. For IPS officers, it is the Ministry of Home Affairs, and for IFoS officers, it is the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Article 312 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Parliament to create new All India Services if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution to that effect by a two-thirds majority.