So you want to become a civil servant and improve society but need help figuring out what to do? Indian Administration Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS) are two major paths to becoming a civil servant. Both of these are respectable positions with great responsibility. You need to choose anyone and practice to achieve the goal. So, how do you decide to become an IAS or IPS? That’s what we are discussing in this blog.
Factors to help you choose between IAS and IPS
Here, we have discussed certain factors to help you determine which position aligns with your values and goals. It’s an IAS vs IPS based on various determinants to help you understand each position and decide.
Role and Responsibilities:
It is one of the major differences between IAS and IPS. Both positions serve the nation’s citizens, but the fields are different.
IAS Officer
As the name suggests, the Indian Administration Service (IAS) officer handles administrative and development work in the assigned area. The IAS officer understands the area’s needs and creates and implements development policies. They look out for administration work in the assigned area and ensure that the services and benefits of policies reach citizens.
IPS Officer
Indian Police Service (IPS), as the name suggests, handles adherence to law and order in the assigned area. The IPS officer is responsible for overlooking the safety of his area, preventing crimes, investigating any crime, and protecting the citizens of his area.
Career Progression:
Both civil service positions have great career growth potential and can be subject to various transfers throughout the service. However, the progression of this career growth is slightly different.
IAS Officer
As an IAS officer, you can work in different ministries of government in administration roles. You can work at various government levels: central, state, and district. You can learn to work for varying departments to expand your knowledge and grow your expertise. You can track your career progression with the level of constituency you are assigned.
IPS Officer
As an IPS officer, your career progression follows a strict hierarchy. There are leadership roles in diverse law enforcement departments and specialized units. With each promotion, your role and responsibilities increase.
Work Environment:
The work environment is another major factor that determines the choice between IAS and IPS. Both have unique characteristics and challenges. It would help if you chose based on your strengths, likings, and goals you want to achieve.
IAS Officer
IAS officers work in the office and the field of administrative work. They primarily deal with policy formation and implementation through the government and public interaction. They take stakeholders, citizens’ opinions and needs, policymakers, and government officials in the loop to address socio-economic issues and their solutions. They bridge the gap between the government & their policies and citizens & their needs.
IPS Officer
IPS officers work in a challenging environment, often needing quick and effective decision-making. They are to oversee the adherence to the law and take action against any action against it. The IPS officers are faced with many stressful situations with lives on stack. They have to be strong-willed and quick to think and implement. They deal with the citizens of nations and work against criminals and troublemakers.
Personal Interests and Skills:
It is an important factor in making your final decision. A few skills are common with both roles: decision-making, leadership, and good communication. Once you have practised these, you can think further.
IAS Officer
Do the complex economic situations, policy formation, and solving people’s problems excite you? Consider becoming an IAS officer. Your primary goal is to serve people and provide them with services and policies to improve their lives. You might need to excel in administration, economics, and other skills to ease your work.
IPS Officer
Do you want to serve justice and maintain law and order? IPS is a better role for you. Here, you need exceptional critical thinking, physical health, and the ability to make quick and correct decisions. You need to excel in a variety of areas to become an IPS officer and manage a city so that citizens feel safe and comfortable.
Impact and Contribution:
It is the most critical factor in determining what you want to pursue. Take your time and envision what your future self would thrive doing. Understand your morals and make the final decision.
IAS Officer
Being an IAS officer, you have the power to make and remove policies concerning the people of the nation. You can make development plans and implement them in areas with dire needs. You become the key to connecting the local people to the higher government officers. Thus, you hold the power to make your area shine and provide them with what they need.
IPS Officer
As an IPS officer, you have the power to maintain peace in your area. You can provide safety and assurance to the people in your area so that they can live their lives carefree. An IPS officer can govern the law, prevent crime, fight criminals, and ensure rules are followed. The officer becomes the hope for people to find justice.
Now that you understand the difference between IAS and IPS officers, we hope you can make the best decision for yourself. Whether you want to become an IAS or IPS, you have to take various UPSC exams. We are here to help you achieve your goals with the right guidance and training. Bubna’s IAS is one of the best IAS coaching in Surat, helping you prepare for all the necessary sections to ace the UPSC exams.
Conclusion:
IAS and IPS are the two most sought-after civil services in India. Both have their own set of responsibilities and challenges. The IAS officers deal with policy making and implementation, attending to people’s needs and ensuring the execution of the policies. They can work on various levels of government administration offices. On the contrary, IPS officers deal with law and order. They ensure adherence to rules and the safety of the citizens. They work in hierarchal order and deal with stressful situations that need quick decisions. There is no clear winner between IAS and IPS; they are two different ways to serve your country. One ensures people get resources and utilize them, and the other ensures people’s safety so they can freely use them. Make the decision based on your moral values, strengths, and future goals in mind. Start your journey to achieve your goal by preparing for UPSC with Bubna’s IAS.
