Why IAS post is more powerful than IPS?
Although both are All India Services, hence most of the perks and benefits are same. Still, there are some major differences which makes IAS post more powerful than IPS. Some of the differences are shown below:
- Hierarchy-wise IAS is above the IPS.
- IAS officers deal with the responsibility of all departments existing in their district whereas IPS officers deal with their departments only.
- IAS officers control policymaking, planning, and resources across diverse sectors. This gives them a broader impact.
- They directly advise ministers on schemes and reforms in governance. IPS officers have limited advisory roles.
- IAS officers often head departments like Finance, Home, Defense, and External Affairs as secretaries. This gives them greater influence in governance.
- As heads of state and central government administrations, IAS officers exercise control over regulatory mechanisms, budgets, program implementation, and public service delivery.
- Top posts like Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to PM are reserved for IAS and not IPS officers.
- IPS officers have narrower domain expertise limited to law enforcement, intelligence, and internal security.
- IAS officers have greater opportunities to rise to the most powerful bureaucratic offices with their diverse experience.
- During the meeting between IPS and IAS officers, the IPS officer salutes the IAS officer as per the protocol. However, this protocol will be applicable only when the IPS officers is in uniform.
IAS vs IPS is a debate that has no conclusion as both the posts are prestigious in their own field. With respect to power, one doesn’t want to mess with an IPS officer. As they can put an IAS officer in troubles too.
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