IAS Vs IPS: Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) are popular civil service careers in India. Both posts offer excellent salary, long-term benefits and prestige. But they differ in terms of roles & responsibilities, rank structure, training, and many other factors.
IAS officers handle the administrative functioning of the country, including policy-making and implementing government schemes. IPS officers are entrusted with law enforcement duties such as crime prevention, investigation, and maintaining public order.
Read ahead to know the key differences between IAS vs IPS in terms of salary, rank structure, and other factors.
What is IAS?
IAS full form is Indian Administrative Service. IAS officers are selected through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC.
They are mainly responsible for maintaining law and order, implementing government policies and contributing to policy formulation.
What is IPS?
IPS stands for Indian Police Service. IPS officers are appointed through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC.
They are allocated tasks in areas like maintaining public peace and order, crime prevention, investigation, and detection, VIP security, and more.
IAS Vs IPS: Key Differences
IAS and IPS play a crucial role in maintaining peace and order across the country. However, they differ in various aspects, such as the nature of work, hierarchy, transfer, and training.
Given below are the key differences between IAS vs IPS for reference purposes:
Aspect | IAS | IPS |
Full Form | Indian Administrative Service | Indian Police Service |
Selection Process | UPSC CSE Recruitment | UPSC CSE Recruitment |
Salary | INR 56,100- INR 2,50,000 | INR 56,100- INR 2,25,000 |
Roles and Responsibilities | Administration, policy formulation, and implementation of government policies | Maintain Public peace and order, crime prevention, and VIP security |
Training | Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy |
Hierarchy and Ranks | Assistant Collector to Cabinet Secretary | Assistant Superintendent of Police to Director General of Police |
IAS Vs IPS: Who is More Powerful?
Many aspirants wonder who is powerful: IAS vs IPS? The answer is not very straightforward. Both roles play a vital role, but they differ in terms of duties and rank structure.
IAS officers play an important role in formulating and implementing government policies. While the roles of IPS officers are focused on law enforcement, including maintaining public peace and order. That is why an IAS officer is considered more powerful than an IPS officer.
IAS Vs IPS Salary
Both IAS and IPS officer start their career with a basic salary of INR 56,100 per month. The salary for IAS and IPS posts is structured according to the 7th Pay Commission. The salary increases over time based on the year of service, promotion, and seniority.
The highest salary of an IAS officer can reach up to INR 2,50,000. On the contrary, the highest salary of an IPS officer can reach up to INR 2,25,000.
Along with salary, an IAS/IPS officer will also receive various allowances and long-term benefits. Here is the comparison of IAS vs IPS in terms of salary:
IAS Salary Structure-Rank-Wise
Below is the rank-wise salary structure for the IAS post for the reference of the candidates:
IAS Salary | |
Basic Pay (INR) | Pay Level |
56,100 | Level 10 |
67,700 | Level 11 |
78,800 | Level 12 |
1,18,500 | Level 13 |
1,44,200 | Level 14 |
1,82,200 | Level 15 |
2,25,000 | Level 17 |
2,50,000 | Level 18 |
IPS Salary Structure-Rank-Wise
Below is the rank-wise salary structure for the IPS post for the reference of the candidates:
IPS Salary | |
Entry Pay (INR) | Pay Matrix Level |
56,100 | Level 10 |
67,700 | Level 11 |
78,800 | Level 12 |
1,18,500 | Level 13 |
1,31,100 | Level 13A |
1,44,200 | Level 14 |
1,82,200 | Level 15 |
2,05,400 | Level 16 |
2,25,000 | Level 17 |
IAS Vs IPS: Rank Structure
Candidates should also be familiar with the IAS vs IPS in terms of rank structure. This helps them understand the hierarchy, authority levels, and career progression in both services.
Below is the comparative analysis for both posts:
IAS Vs IPS- Rank Structure | |
IAS Post | IPS Post |
Assistant Collector cum Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Under Secretary, and Assistant Secretary | Assistant Superintendent of Police |
Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary | Additional Superintendent of Police |
Collector cum District magistrate, Joint secretary, and Deputy secretary | Superintendent of Police |
Collector cum District magistrate, Special secretary/ Director, and Director | Superintendent of Police (Selection Grade) |
Divisional commissioner, Secretary/Commissioner, and Joint secretary | Deputy Inspector General of Police |
Divisional commissioner, Principal secretary, and Additional secretary/Director General | Inspector General of Police |
Chief secretary | Additional Director General of Police |
Cabinet Secretary | Director General of Police |
IAS Vs IPS: Roles & Responsibilities
An IAS and IPS officer comes with unique roles, responsibilities, and a nature of work. Both play an important role in a nation’s development and in maintaining peace.
To put it simply, an IAS officer is more focused on administrative work and policy formulation. While an IPS officer’s primary responsibility is to maintain law & order, investigate crime, and perform various roles in the police department.
Below is the comparative analysis of IAS vs IPS in terms of the nature of work.
IAS Vs IPS- Nature of Work | |
IAS Officer | IPS Officer |
Responsible for land revenue collections and acting as court officials in land revenue matters (for the revenue courts) To maintain law and order. Implement government policies and execute official decisions. Look after the day-to-day administration of their department. Lead their department and ensure effective coordination with other departments and agencies. Offers administrative assistance to state ministers. | Responsible for law enforcement across the country. To maintain Public peace and order Investigate and prevent crime Responsible for VIP security and counterterrorism. To prevent corruption in public life Responsible for emergency management and protection of environmental laws. |
IAS Vs IPS Training
There are key differences between IAS and IPS officers in terms of the training process. An IAS officer attends training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.
On the other hand, the IPS officer training is conducted at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad
FAQs
Q) Is the salary of an IAS is more than IPS officer?
A) Both IAS and IPS officers start with the basic pay of INR 56,100 per month. The highest salary for both posts differs. An IAS officer can earn up to INR 2,50,000 per month. An IPS officer’s basic salary can go up to INR 2,25,000 per month.
Q) Who is more powerful, an IAS or an IPS officer?
A) IAS officers handle the administrative tasks, policy-making and implementing government schemes. IPS officers are allocated law enforcement duties, maintain law, etc.
