The public services in India are divided into three broad categories—All-India Services, Central Services, and State Services. These services form the administrative backbone of the nation, ensuring smooth governance at both the Union and State levels. Their roles, recruitment, and control mechanisms are defined by the Constitution and legislations like the All-India Services Act, 1951.
Classification of Public Services in India with Examples
-
All-India Services: Meaning and Composition
- Definition: Services common to both the Central Government and State Governments, where members serve at both levels by rotation.
- Existing Services:
- (i) Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- (ii) Indian Police Service (IPS)
- (iii) Indian Forest Service (IFS)
- Historical Evolution:
- (i) Indian Civil Service (ICS) replaced by IAS in 1947.
- (ii) Indian Police (IP) replaced by IPS in 1947.
- (iii) IFS created in 1966.
- Regulation: Governed by the All-India Services Act, 1951, allowing the Centre to frame rules in consultation with states.
- Cadre System: Members belong to state cadres but serve the Centre on deputation under the tenure system.
- Control Mechanism: Jointly managed by Centre and States, but disciplinary action can only be taken by the Central Government.
- Key Personality: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Father of All-India Services.
-
Central Services: Structure and Importance
- Definition: Services working solely under the jurisdiction of the Union Government, performing technical and specialized functions.
- Historical Classification:
- (i) Pre-Independence: Class-I, II, Subordinate, Inferior.
- (ii) Post-Independence: Class-III, IV replaced subordinate and inferior.
- (iii) In 1974, changed to Group A, B, C, D.
- Examples of Group A Services:
- (i) Central Engineering Service
- (ii) Central Health Service
- (iii) Central Secretariat Service
- (iv) Indian Audit and Accounts Service
- (v) Indian Economic Service
- (vi) Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- (vii) Indian Revenue Service
- (viii) Railway Personnel Service
- Officer Categorization:
- (i) Group A & B → Gazetted Officers
- (ii) Group C & D → Non-Gazetted
- Prestige Factor: Among Central services, the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) ranks highest, often competing with IAS and surpassing IPS in pay and prestige.
-
State Services: Nature and Hierarchy
- Definition: Services functioning exclusively under the jurisdiction of State Governments.
- Hierarchy: Hold positions below IAS, IPS, and IFS officers in the state administrative structure.
- Common State Services:
- (i) Civil Service
- (ii) Police Service
- (iii) Forest Service
- (iv) Medical Service
- (v) Judicial Service
- (vi) Educational Service
- (vii) Sales Tax Service
- (viii) Service of Engineers
- Nomenclature: Prefix of the state added (e.g., AP Civil Service, AP Police Service).
- Classification:
- (i) Class I (Group A)
- (ii) Class II (Group B)
- (iii) Class III (Group C)
- (iv) Class IV (Group D)
- Gazetted vs Non-Gazetted:
- (i) Class I & II → Gazetted Officers
- (ii) Class III & IV → Non-Gazetted Employees
- Privileges: Gazetted officers’ appointments and transfers are published in the State Gazette, while non-gazetted employees are not.
- Promotion Link: As per the All-India Services Act, 1951, up to one-third of senior IAS, IPS, IFS posts are filled by promotion from State Services through UPSC-led committees.
The Indian Constitution, under Part XIV (Articles 308–314), lays down provisions relating to recruitment, tenure, safeguards, and service conditions of All-India Services, Central Services, and State Services. These provisions ensure discipline, neutrality, and accountability in the functioning of public services while protecting the rights of civil servants.
Constitutional Provisions for Public Services in India (Articles 308–314)
-
Recruitment and Service Conditions (Article 309)
- Empowerment: Parliament and state legislatures regulate recruitment and service conditions under their jurisdiction.
- Rule-making power: Until laws are framed, President (for Union) or Governor (for State) can make rules.
- Recruitment covers:
- (i) Appointment
- (ii) Selection
- (iii) Deputation
- (iv) Promotion
- (v) Appointment by transfer
- Conditions of Service include: Pay, allowances, increments, leave, promotion, tenure, transfer, disciplinary action, retirement benefits like pension, provident fund, gratuity, etc.
- Reasonable Restrictions: To maintain integrity, impartiality, and efficiency, restrictions are imposed via Conduct Rules such as:
- (i) Central Services (Conduct) Rules
- (ii) Railway Services (Conduct) Rules
-
Tenure of Office (Article 310)
- Doctrine of Pleasure: Civil, defence, and All-India service members hold office during the pleasure of the President (Union) or Governor (State).
- Exceptions: Contractual safeguards allow compensation if:
- (i) Post abolished before contract expiry.
- (ii) Officer vacates post for non-misconduct reasons.
- Such contracts apply only to new entrants, not existing members of services.
-
Safeguards to Civil Servants (Article 311)
- Two protections against arbitrary dismissal:
- (i) No civil servant can be dismissed by an authority lower than the appointing authority.
- (ii) No dismissal/removal/reduction in rank without an inquiry and reasonable opportunity of being heard.
- Exceptions to inquiry:
- (i) Conviction on criminal charges.
- (ii) Impractical to hold inquiry (reasons must be recorded).
- (iii) Security of the State demands skipping inquiry.
- 42nd Amendment Act (1976): Removed second opportunity to make representation on proposed punishment.
- Supreme Court interpretation of “reasonable opportunity” includes:
- (i) Right to know charges and allegations.
- (ii) Right to cross-examine witnesses and produce defence witnesses.
- (iii) Right to receive inquiry officer’s report before final decision.
-
All-India Services (Article 312)
- Parliament’s Power: Can create new All-India services (including All-India Judicial Service) if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution with two-thirds majority.
- Regulation: Parliament enacts laws on recruitment and service conditions. Example: All-India Services Act, 1951.
- Constitutional Recognition: IAS and IPS, existing at commencement of Constitution (26 January 1950), deemed as created under this provision.
- Judicial Service: Cannot include posts below District Judge. Creation of this service does not require constitutional amendment under Article 368.
- 42nd Amendment Act (1976): Empowered creation of All-India Judicial Service, though no such law has been enacted yet.
-
Other Provisions (Articles 312A–314)
- Article 312A (28th Amendment Act, 1972): Parliament can vary/revoke service conditions of civil servants appointed before 1950.
- Article 313: Transitional provision—laws in force before 1950 continue until repealed.
- Article 314: Originally protected existing officers but repealed by the 28th Amendment Act, 1972.
-
Articles Related to Public Services at a Glance
- 308: Interpretation
- 309: Recruitment & service conditions
- 310: Tenure of office
- 311: Dismissal, removal, reduction in rank
- 312: All-India Services
- 312A: Parliament’s power to alter service conditions
- 313: Transitional provisions
- 314: Protection of existing officers (repealed)
