IAS vs IPS: A Detailed Look at Ranks, Salaries, and Responsibilities

Physics Wallah Academic Expert

December 17, 2024

Every year a huge number of aspirants appear for the UPSC exam to get prestigious white collar jobs under the Government of India. These jobs are well respected, well paid and have their core. IAS and IPS are the two most popular jobs that a candidate chooses while considering the UPSC exam. What are these job duties, what are their responsibilities and powers, and how do they differ? This guide provides IAS vs IPS: A Detailed Look at Ranks, Salaries and Responsibilities.

IAS vs IPS: A Detailed Look at Ranks, Salaries, and Responsibilities

The full forms of IAS and IPS are Indian Administrative Services and Indian Police Services respectively. Of course, this creates a lot of controversy about which position is better IAS or IPS and which officer has more power. Around 10 lakh candidates appear for UPSC CSE intending to recruit for the coveted posts of IAS or IPS officers.

Those interested in the administrative side of public administration are selected by IAS officers, while IPS officers handle law enforcement. In the article below, we discuss the Ranks, Salaries and Responsibilities of IAS and IPS highly sought after positions and their similarities and differences in terms of job profiles.

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IAS vs IPS

We have tabulated below the difference of IAS vs IPS in terms of promotion, Roles, Responsibilities and Salary.

Post	IAS	IPS
Full Form	IAS Full Form is Indian Administrative Service	IPS Full Form is Indian Police Service
Role	The role of an IAS officer is to work in public administration and implement government policies, look for irregularities in the system and in their assigned departments	IPS officers work in the police and their main purpose is to maintain law and order, investigate crimes and maintain public order, maintain peace in festive and riotous situations, etc.
Training	After clearing the IAS exam, candidates are trained at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) located in Mussoori, Uttarakhand.	The training of IPS officers is conducted at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) located in Hyderabad, Telangana
Role/ IAS vs IPS ranks	IAS candidates hold the highest rank in the Government of India. An IAS officer is appointed to senior ministries and departments.	IPS officers are first recruited by Deputy Superintendent of Police, then promoted based on age and experience and also after solving all major cases. The role of IPS is that of a top cop. IPS is second only to IAS in the hierarchy system.
IAS vs IPS who is more powerful	IAS is more effective than IPS if he is a District Magistrate/Collector. As a matter of protocol, the IPS must also salute the IAS if he is fit. There is no set uniform for IAS but they must wear a formal or high neck suit. But this is also a kind of disadvantage because public cannot identify IAS as there is no dress code.	As the main police force in the city, IPS is also very effective and is second only to IAS. IPS can also stop the vehicle or convoy of a VIP or VVIP person for security reasons etc. The public can identify an IPS by its form. The uniform also brings a lot of pride and enthusiasm.
IAS vs IPS salary	After the recommendation of the 7th pay commission, the basic IAS salary begins at Rs. 56,100, it comes exclusively from the House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Travel Allowance (TA). The salary increases as per promotions, experience and timely increments. The top salary is of Rs, 225000, which is a Cabinet Secretary.	Everything is same as IAS. The highest salary is Rs. 225,000 who is Director General of Police (DGP)
Facilities	IAS will get personal government vehicle with driver, probably Toyota Innova, Maruti Ciaz etc. Escort car and escort team. Personal bodyguard. Government Bungalow. Government hostel for outstations. Option to study abroad. Free ride at government expense and many other benefits. VIP treatment across India and abroad.	Just like IAS, only the choice of vehicles changes. It can be Mahindra Bolero, Maruti Ertiga etc.
Work-life	The post of both IAS and IPS is very demanding. This is not a typical desk but requires frequent visits to relevant departments. This is very fast-paced work and requires 24/7 availability. It is also a risky job. .	Same as IAS.
Promotions	An IAS officer has many opportunities for promotion. A young IAS officer of his age can also rise to the post of Cabinet secretary which is a top level post and IAS can also rise to the post of Union Home Minister.	IPS officer with good service experience and age can be promoted to the rank of IG/DIG or DGP. IPS can also be called the head of Criminal Investigation (CBI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and National Security Adviser (NSA).

IAS vs IPS Salary

As clearly, benefits and advantages of IAS and IPS depend on their posts and placements. An IPS officer's promotion opportunities are limited due to his job profile, which leads to the difference between IAS and IPS salaries.

After the recommendation of the 7th pay commission, the basic IAS salary begins at Rs. 56,100, it comes exclusively from the House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Travel Allowance (TA). The salary increases as per promotions, experience and timely increments. The top salary is of Rs, 225000, which is a Cabinet Secretary. Whereas for IPS post Everything is same as IAS. The highest salary is Rs. 225,000 for the Director General of Police (DGP).

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IAS vs IPS Ranking

There is a difference between IAS and IPS Ranks. The ranks of IAS and IPS officers are different. IAS officers start with the rank of Assistant Collector, while IPS officers start their career as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The difference between IAS and IPS ranks is as follows:

IAS vs IPS Officer Ranks
IAS Officer Rank	IPS Officer Rank
Assistant Collector	Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
Additional Collector	Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP)
Deputy Collector	Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
Collector / District Magistrate	Superintendent of Police (SP)
Additional Secretary	Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police
Joint Secretary	Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)
Special Secretary	Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl. CP)
Secretary	Joint Commissioner of Police (Joint CP)
Principal Secretary	Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Chief Secretary	Additional Director General of Police (Addl. DGP)
Cabinet Secretary	Director General of Police (DGP)

IAS vs IPS Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities of IAS Officers

Policy Formulation and Implementation: IAS officers are deeply involved in the formulation and implementation of government policies, plans and programs. They work to create policies that address social, economic and developmental issues. Administrative management: They hold several administrative positions at various levels of government. They lead ministries, ensure effective service delivery and oversee policy implementation on the ground.

Development Initiatives: IAS officers play an important role in initiating and monitoring development projects, improving infrastructure and providing public services to improve the quality of life in their respective areas.

Emergency Management: During emergencies or natural disasters, IAS officers coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts to ensure timely relief and support to affected communities.

Redressal of Public Grievances: They are responsible for handling public grievances and hearing, addressing and resolving concerns of citizens.

District Administration: At the district level, IAS officers act as District Magistrates or Collectors responsible for general administration, law and order and development.

Roles and Responsibilities of IPS Officers

Law Enforcement: The primary duty of IPS officers is to enforce the law and maintain public order. They command and control the police force and ensure the safety of citizens.

Crime Prevention and Investigation: IPS officers are responsible for crime prevention and investigation, apprehension of criminals and administration of justice through proper legal procedures.

Public Safety: They take steps to ensure public safety, respond to emergencies and resolve situations that may disturb public order.

Security and Intelligence: IPS officers are involved in national security and counter-terrorism operations. They work with intelligence services to gather and analyze information.

Traffic Management: IPS officers manage traffic regulation and safety, implement measures to reduce accidents and congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Special Forces: They run special police units such as anti-corruption squads, cyber crime squads, anti-narcotics squads and other divisions based on the needs of the region.

Training and Capacity Building: IPS officers are responsible for training and mentoring police officers under their command, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required for effective policing.

IAS vs IPS - FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between IAS vs IPS?

Ans. IAS and IPS are prestigious civil servants in India. IAS officers focus on administrative roles, strategy formulation and implementation, while IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, investigating crimes and ensuring public safety.

Q2. What are the IAS vs IPS Responsibilities?

Ans. Both IAS and IPS have different responsibilities. However, IAS officers are considered more efficient than IPS as they supervise all the departments under their circle while IPS officers only supervise their own department.

Q3. What is the IAS vs IPS Salary?

Ans. The starting pay for both IAS and IPS officers is the same as for 7th pay commission i.e. Rs. 56,100/- per month. However, the highest salary of IAS officers can go up to Rs. 2,50,000/- and the highest salary of IPS officers can go up to Rs. 2,25,000/-.

Q4. Is there any ranking difference between IAS vs IPS?

Ans. Yes, there are differences in ranking between IAS vs IPS and we have tabulated the same in the above article.