Why Do Most UPSC CSE Candidates Choose The IAS Over IFS? - Testbook.com

IAS vs. IFS: A Comparative Analysis

At first glance, the life of a diplomat may seem glamorous and luxurious. They often live in grand houses with domestic staff and frequently host and attend social events. Unlike their IAS/IPS counterparts, IFS officers don't have to deal with political interference. They also enjoy diplomatic immunity in most matters when posted abroad. Moreover, the salary structure of an IFS officer is higher than that of an IAS officer due to the provision of higher allowances.

On the other hand, IAS/IPS officers often spend the initial years of their career in district headquarters and sub-divisional towns, which could be in remote areas. Their job involves continuous travel within their district, which might include visits to underdeveloped or insurgency-affected areas. Consequently, the social life of an IAS or IPS officer can be quite limited in the early years of their career. However, it's important to note that the Indian Administrative is an All India service, while the Indian Foreign Service is a Central Service.

The Life of an IFS Officer: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Despite the perceived glamour, the life of an IFS officer involves a lot of hard work. They are responsible for carefully observing and recording every detail that could potentially affect India's foreign policy interests. They must uphold the country's reputation abroad and exercise vigilance in both their personal and professional lives. As representatives of India to the world, their behavior and words are constantly under scrutiny. A single misstep could potentially jeopardize an IFS officer’s diplomatic career. Furthermore, not just the officers, but their families are also expected to play their part.

The life of an IFS officer also involves frequent relocations, which can disrupt the career of the officer's spouse. Every few years, they must adapt to a new culture and environment.

A significant deterrent for many candidates is the possibility of being posted anywhere in the world where India maintains diplomatic missions.

Indian missions, embassies, and consulates are spread across the globe, in countries ranging from developed nations to underdeveloped or war-torn regions. Even countries with hostile relations have some diplomatic presence.

At times, the life and safety of an IFS officer could be at risk due to sudden social upheavals like revolutions or coups. In politically unstable countries, they must be constantly on guard, and there may be instances where the entire mission must be evacuated at short notice. Also, resources to tackle such situations can be limited due to the distances involved.

One of the key responsibilities of an IFS officer is to coordinate intelligence gathering and lobbying activities in the territory they are posted in. This can be a high-risk task for the officers and their staff, even in countries that are friendly to India.

IAS vs. IFS: Who Holds Seniority?

Ultimately, the choice of service depends on the candidate's aspirations, aptitude, and UPSC rank. If a candidate desires to serve within India and directly influence people's lives, accelerating the country's development firsthand, then IAS would be the ideal choice.

If a life filled with travel, adventure, and interaction with people from diverse cultures and places appeals to the candidate, then the foreign services might be a better fit.

It's important to remember that there is no definitive answer to the question, “Which is better, IAS or IFS?”.

Both services contribute to the development of the country and safeguard the nation's interests in their unique ways. The decision to opt for IAS over IFS depends entirely on the individual's aptitude and interests.